The Sin of Narcissism

[StillStanding]

Narcissism describes the character trait of self love.

Christopher Lasch defines a narcissistic culture as one in which every activity and relationship is defined by the hedonistic need to acquire the symbols of material wealth, this becoming the only expression of rigid, yet covert, social hierarchies. It is a culture where liberalism only exists insofar as it serves a consumer society, and even art, sex and religion lose their liberating power.

He claims that, in such a society of constant competition, there can be no allies, and little transparency. Any real sense of community is undermined -- or even destroyed -- to be replaced by virtual equivalents that strive, unsuccessfully, to synthesise a sense of community.

Dan Scott has been speaking about how narcissism has crept into the church. Todays narcissistic culture believes that your own personal relationship with God is all that matters. They don't submit to ordained church leadership. They don't feel a need to belong to a family of believers.

Dan mentioned that their theme song is, "I did it MY WAY!" He called it Hell's THEME SONG!

It's all about ME ME ME ME ME!

[rgcraig]

Wow!

I think Dan might be on to something.

This will be an interesting thread!

[Carpenter]

Originally Posted by Pianoman

Narcissism describes the character trait of self love.

Christopher Lasch defines a narcissistic culture as one in which every activity and relationship is defined by the hedonistic need to acquire the symbols of material wealth, this becoming the only expression of rigid, yet covert, social hierarchies. It is a culture where liberalism only exists insofar as it serves a consumer society, and even art, sex and religion lose their liberating power.

He claims that, in such a society of constant competition, there can be no allies, and little transparency. Any real sense of community is undermined -- or even destroyed -- to be replaced by virtual equivalents that strive, unsuccessfully, to synthesise a sense of community.

Dan Scott has been speaking about how narcissism has crept into the church. Todays narcissistic culture believes that your own personal relationship with God is all that matters. They don't submit to ordained church leadership. They don't feel a need to belong to a family of believers.

Dan mentioned that their theme song is, "I did it MY WAY!" He called it Hell's THEME SONG!

It's all about ME ME ME ME ME!

Harvard Business Journal Review did a study on the Narcissistic manager.

What an eye-opener, especially considering I worked for one at the time.

I think alot of what it had to say pertained to the ministry in a tremendous way, more specific to the accomplished ministers.

There are traits that lend power and a measure of leadership to the individual, however, for the wrong reasons.

Next time you hear a pastor/preacher tell you how much he prays, fasts, what time he got to the church to pray, or what time he got up this morning to pray...consider who gets the glory.

[berkeley]

"I did it my way" ...who sings that?

[rrford]

Now that might be interesting to study. "I did it my way" in contrast to submitting to Church leadership. Hmmm, and I thought most folks around here thought it was about how THEY pervcieved God said it to be and not how a PASTOR said it was. Interesting indeed...

[rrford]

Originally Posted by Berkeley

"I did it my way" ...who sings that?

I believbe Ol' Blue Eyes made it popular.

Elvis did a pretty impressive rendition also.

[Neck]

Originally Posted by Pianoman

Narcissism describes the character trait of self love.

Christopher Lasch defines a narcissistic culture as one in which every activity and relationship is defined by the hedonistic need to acquire the symbols of material wealth, this becoming the only expression of rigid, yet covert, social hierarchies. It is a culture where liberalism only exists insofar as it serves a consumer society, and even art, sex and religion lose their liberating power.

He claims that, in such a society of constant competition, there can be no allies, and little transparency. Any real sense of community is undermined -- or even destroyed -- to be replaced by virtual equivalents that strive, unsuccessfully, to synthesise a sense of community.

Dan Scott has been speaking about how narcissism has crept into the church. Todays narcissistic culture believes that your own personal relationship with God is all that matters. They don't submit to ordained church leadership. They don't feel a need to belong to a family of believers.

Dan mentioned that their theme song is, "I did it MY WAY!" He called it Hell's THEME SONG!

It's all about ME ME ME ME ME!

When you post. After making a headline point. Can you address your thoughts on the subject and not just quote so and so. I'd like to know your thoughts!

Nathan Eckstadt

[Truly Blessed]

Originally Posted by Pianoman

Narcissism describes the character trait of self love.

Christopher Lasch defines a narcissistic culture as one in which every activity and relationship is defined by the hedonistic need to acquire the symbols of material wealth, this becoming the only expression of rigid, yet covert, social hierarchies. It is a culture where liberalism only exists insofar as it serves a consumer society, and even art, sex and religion lose their liberating power.

He claims that, in such a society of constant competition, there can be no allies, and little transparency. Any real sense of community is undermined -- or even destroyed -- to be replaced by virtual equivalents that strive, unsuccessfully, to synthesise a sense of community.

Dan Scott has been speaking about how narcissism has crept into the church. Todays narcissistic culture believes that your own personal relationship with God is all that matters. They don't submit to ordained church leadership. They don't feel a need to belong to a family of believers.

Dan mentioned that their theme song is, "I did it MY WAY!" He called it Hell's THEME SONG!

It's all about ME ME ME ME ME!

I just preached on this point today. My message was, "When Self-will Challenges Divine Authority" and I even mentioned this song. I preached from Jeremiah 5, which is one of the most startling passages in the Bible and though written to Judah, certainly describes where our society is today.

Here is an exerpt from my message;

Jeremiah 5:24 says, “They do not say to themselves, 'Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.' This is a natural process. When God is pushed away and self-will takes over, it is necessary that God be excluded from any involvement in supplying our needs. There is more a tendency to say, “Look what I have done” or sing “I did it my way” rather than to say, “Look what the Lord has done” or sing “I did it God’s way”.
There are many scriptural warnings regarding self-dependency. Paul tells us in IITim.3:1-5, “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.


Most people like to feel that they are totally in charge of their lives. The last thing they want is for some preacher to disturb them with what the Bible has to say. They would rather have someone confirm the way they are living. They want someone to tell them how good things are and that things are going to get even better.

In Jeremiah 5:30-31 the prophet says, "A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: he prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?”

“There is no fear of God before his eyes. For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.” (Psa.36:1-2)

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Truly Blessed

I just preached on this point today. My message was, "When Self-will Challenges Divine Authority" and I even mentioned this song. I preached from Jeremiah 5, which is one of the most startling passages in the Bible and though written to Judah, certainly describes where our society is today.

Here is an exerpt from my message;

Jeremiah 5:24 says, “They do not say to themselves, 'Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.' This is a natural process. When God is pushed away and self-will takes over, it is necessary that God be excluded from any involvement in supplying our needs. There is more a tendency to say, “Look what I have done” or sing “I did it my way” rather than to say, “Look what the Lord has done” or sing “I did it God’s way”.
There are many scriptural warnings regarding self-dependency. Paul tells us in IITim.3:1-5, “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.


Most people like to feel that they are totally in charge of their lives. The last thing they want is for some preacher to disturb them with what the Bible has to say. They would rather have someone confirm the way they are living. They want someone to tell them how good things are and that things are going to get even better.

In Jeremiah 5:30-31 the prophet says, "A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: he prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?”

“There is no fear of God before his eyes. For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.” (Psa.36:1-2)

I have heard tell of a church in which the Pastor tells the people : Hold the spiritual gifts; I know that the spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet but I have never known why a Pastor would refuse to let them operate.

I have been in a service where someone spoken in tongues out of order...it is obvious, but to routinely tell the people not to use the gifts...what is wrong with this picture?

Maybe as a Pastor you have a different view for me to understand this better?

Blessings, Rhoni

[StillStanding]

Originally Posted by Neckstadt

When you post. After making a headline point. Can you address your thoughts on the subject and not just quote so and so. I'd like to know your thoughts!

Nathan Eckstadt

Nathan, This is a subject of which I was interested in hearing differing opinions. I have not yet formed my own opinion. Here is where I'm leaning:

In the church, especially in Apostolic circles it seems, there is a parsing of beliefs which leads to a disconnection within the Apostolic community. Individual beliefs on any given subject will trump fellowship with a community of believers.

On an individual basis, one may disagree with a belief such as paying tithes. The narcissistic person will choose to go it alone, rather than belong to community that believes in tithing. It's kind of like "Me and Jesus have our own thing going on!" We don't need anybody else!

Carpenter's thoughts on this subject have also hit home.