I love the Atlantic Monthly because they have articles like this. (Finally! Someone that sees the absurdity in teachers not using red pens to shelter their students' feelings.) Unfortunately, I think it's too little and too late. The worst part, though, is that the so-called "cult of self-esteem" seems to have infiltrated much of Christian culture.

Earlier today, I heard Mikeschair's song "someone worth dying for" on the radio. Before I continue, though, I just want to say that I think the band generally writes good songs. And no doubt, there were honest and noble intentions behind this song and they probably weren't aiming for the possible meaning that I'm pointing out. At least, I hope not.

If you're familiar with the song, then you probably realize that I'm referring to the chorus.

Am I more than flesh and bone?
Am I really something beautiful?
Yeah I wanna believe, I wanna believe that
I'm not just some wandering soul
That you don't see and you don't know
Yeah I wanna believe, Jesus help me believe that I
Am someone worth dying for

Maybe I'm just being too critical (I admit that I often am; it's my tragic flaw), but I can't help but think that there is at least a tint of narcissism in this. Star99.1 prides itself on playing songs that are "positive and encouraging" and that's great. People these days, as Lori Gottlieb mentions, are searching for more hope. There is a growing sense and awareness of a personal emptiness. But what worries me is that Christianity (or hopefully it's just Christian radio, but that's doubtful...) is becoming no better than the cult of self-esteem at providing encouragement. I'm afraid that instead of encouraging one another with messages of who God is and his promises, we are trying to lift one another up with overly optimistic messages of who we are. I'm not saying that we shouldn't be building our brothers and sisters up by affirming their status as "children of God." But I am wary of the kind of wording as is used in this song-- "someone worth dying for."

If we aren't careful, we will propagate the idea Jesus died for us because of who we are. Because we were somehow "worthy" of his love, of his sacrifice. I'm (not) sorry if this hurts your self-esteem, but that is simply not true. He died for us because of who he is. But that's so disheartening, people will cry, to say that someone was not worth dying for. Maybe, maybe not. It depends on who you talk to. The world likes to tell people that they are valuable because of someone they have done. Heck, these days, they'll tell you you're priceless simply because you're still breathing and your heart's still beating. But I don't think the church should be doing the same. We have value because of what Christ has done. He did it. And the only rhyme and reason was his love. That's it. His dying made us worthy, not the other way around.