A.Joseph
Puritan Board Senior
I know this is going to come out wrong. I’m sure my perceptions are too simplistic overall but here I go.....
I‘ve noticed and perceived commonalities in attitude and personality type possibly related to a certain level of wealth and sophistication. I’ve come across certain people via social media, a few examples would be
Peter Enns (liberal theologian) @peteenns
Dan Haseltine (Christian singer) @scribblepotemus
Dustin Kensrue (former Christian singer) @dustinkensrue
and a lesser extent Tim Keller @timkellernyc
who seem to carry a more enlightened view of the world and even scriptures (at least I perceive they believe they do - I’m sure it’s more nuanced and well shaped by experience to a certain degree). I think all these men have reached out to disenfranchised communities and engaged in advocacy and activism to a certain degree in both word and deed - they all happen to be very bright, talented, articulate and accomplished men. I also work in a wealthy area where those ‘Hate Has No Home Here’ signs abound. I would place Barack Obama in this category to a certain degree. Maybe it’s an elite mindset, I don’t know. ... maybe that’s an unfair characterization.
.... But I’m sure even on this board, there are certain cultural and class distinctions that shape how we individually view the world and even carry ourselves to some degree. I believe we are well unified in faith, hope and love, but I think Ive awakened to the idea that certain personality types are formed by a class and wealth culture that creates a real disparity of emphasis and concern outside First Things. I know I gravitate toward more liberty- minded concerns for myself and fellow man. I consider my own upbringing lower-middle class. This is why I’m partial to personalities with a harder edge if I sense they are more sincere and transparent. I think there are some personality types who find Trump, for example, so far out of bounds due to his less thoughtful and refined speech (even if it’s exaggerated to a certain extent), where I may find his (projected?) simplicity and hard-nosed character more identifiable or refreshing. Anyway Im just noticing certain distinctions and commonalities that make some more guarded and distrusting and others more open and action-oriented. Some are eager to work within certain social and economic systems and there is a comfort level that drives them which may be related to being born with a certain level of wealth and sophistication and maybe acceptance. It’s an attitude that leaves them open to forward thinking and progress-oriented achievement and overall vision for the world, collectively and a perceived best course for a majority of individuals.
Im not sure exactly where I’m going with this and I acknowledge that these boxes are way too small. Maybe somebody with more insight can identify with what I’m trying to work through here.
I‘ve noticed and perceived commonalities in attitude and personality type possibly related to a certain level of wealth and sophistication. I’ve come across certain people via social media, a few examples would be
Peter Enns (liberal theologian) @peteenns
Dan Haseltine (Christian singer) @scribblepotemus
Dustin Kensrue (former Christian singer) @dustinkensrue
and a lesser extent Tim Keller @timkellernyc
who seem to carry a more enlightened view of the world and even scriptures (at least I perceive they believe they do - I’m sure it’s more nuanced and well shaped by experience to a certain degree). I think all these men have reached out to disenfranchised communities and engaged in advocacy and activism to a certain degree in both word and deed - they all happen to be very bright, talented, articulate and accomplished men. I also work in a wealthy area where those ‘Hate Has No Home Here’ signs abound. I would place Barack Obama in this category to a certain degree. Maybe it’s an elite mindset, I don’t know. ... maybe that’s an unfair characterization.
.... But I’m sure even on this board, there are certain cultural and class distinctions that shape how we individually view the world and even carry ourselves to some degree. I believe we are well unified in faith, hope and love, but I think Ive awakened to the idea that certain personality types are formed by a class and wealth culture that creates a real disparity of emphasis and concern outside First Things. I know I gravitate toward more liberty- minded concerns for myself and fellow man. I consider my own upbringing lower-middle class. This is why I’m partial to personalities with a harder edge if I sense they are more sincere and transparent. I think there are some personality types who find Trump, for example, so far out of bounds due to his less thoughtful and refined speech (even if it’s exaggerated to a certain extent), where I may find his (projected?) simplicity and hard-nosed character more identifiable or refreshing. Anyway Im just noticing certain distinctions and commonalities that make some more guarded and distrusting and others more open and action-oriented. Some are eager to work within certain social and economic systems and there is a comfort level that drives them which may be related to being born with a certain level of wealth and sophistication and maybe acceptance. It’s an attitude that leaves them open to forward thinking and progress-oriented achievement and overall vision for the world, collectively and a perceived best course for a majority of individuals.
Im not sure exactly where I’m going with this and I acknowledge that these boxes are way too small. Maybe somebody with more insight can identify with what I’m trying to work through here.
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