Adventism and Narcissism
Image © Pacific Press from GoodSalt.com
A while back I wrote an article called Bible Cures for Narcissism. This morning a friend on Facebook was sharing the signs of narcissism, which I was already familiar with. However, as our Sabbath school lesson today is on the three angels message, something occurred to me just now.
One of the signs of being narcissistic is the need to feel special and superior. We feel as Adventists we have a special message and we do. But if we are not careful could that lead to narcissism? Do we think our beliefs put us in a “special” category of believers? I heard an Adventist pastor years ago lamenting to his congregation that he was pretty much the last pastor preaching the three angels’ message and Bible truth. His church was scared to lose him and he had them convinced he was the last true preacher, and whoever came in after him would be a heretic! In talking to members of his congregation, it seemed they felt very special to have him as their pastor, and they felt superior to other Adventist congregations who were not privy to this special pastor. Were such attitudes leading to the gospel or to narcissism?
It’s been a while, but I remember a few families in a church I was familiar with who formed their own study group. They were studying the Adventist message “more deeply” than others in the church, or so they thought. They started referring to themselves as the “remnant of the remnant.” They started isolating themselves, as they felt pretty special. Were they really becoming better Christians or just better narcissists?
Marco Torres wrote an excellent article on conspiracy theories. He writes, “Conspiracy theories have a way of making us feel like we are more spiritual than others because of the information we have.” I think he nailed it! I have talked to so many in the church who feel superior and more spiritual because they are “in the know.” Some people seem to feel like they have a special understanding of our beliefs, which puts them in a special class. When others don’t understand them, that just makes them all the more special. Are such feelings the fruit of the gospel or narcissism?
Jesus is the Gospel. He is the opposite of narcissism. Instead of putting Himself in a special class He joined Himself to all of humanity. While James and John wanted to be in a special class in His kingdom (remnant of the remnant?) Jesus said He was the servant of all! In the story of the good Samaritan, Jesus mentions a levite, who was a special class of Jews (remnant of the remnant?). He mentioned a priest who was “in the know” and probably had special information. Jesus did not identify the gospel with the priest or Levi. He chose a Samaritan to represent the Gospel. A Samaritan who had no concept of caste or special creed. A Samaritan who saw everyone as his neighbor and equal.
Let’s remember the three angels’ message is for every nation, and kindred, and tongue and people. Its not for a select privileged group. It’s for everyone! It’s easy to fall for Satan’s counterfeit “spirituality” which leads to feelings of being special and superior, which are characteristics of narcissism. John the beloved fell for it when he asked to have a special place in the Kingdom. There is a cure for narcissism, and it is the gospel! John fell in love with Jesus and later wrote,
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us. 1 John 1:3
While John once felt he needed to be in a special class, when he fell more deeply in love with Jesus and the gospel he no longer felt the need to be “special” or “exclusive.” He saw all humanity as his neighbor and equal, and invited everyone into the same fellowship he had with Jesus. Narcissism sets us apart. The Gospel sends us into the world!
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Thank you William, you just nailed it as well. There is no need for me to be so special above others just because i hold a big post in church. Am so humbled.
God bless you and happy Sabbath
Happy Sabbath too.
Sawuel, You and Bryan have sent a" happy Sabbath" greeting. It may have been coincidental, but I have been going over texts and comments about what it means to have a "happy Sabbath" and the meaning for sundown Friday Sabbath observance. There are number of Biblical texts to apply to the meaning. I won't list them all, 20 or more. The first is Genesis2:3- God rested and Hallowed it on the Sabbath. Of course Exodus 20:8-11; Isaiah 58:13,14 and more. I have studied the Sabbath many years and have many "pat" answers. Refreshers are useful due to rapid changes that we encounter with technological issues. To keep a period of time Holy, seems to be important. Not all the commentary at ones disposal is accurate. Some would explain how Exodus 20:8-11 is an old testament scripture that is not applicable. Any other thoughts on this list with regard
to how to, Sabbath observance, is appreciated.
Some very valid insights William - and said very diplomatically.
Thank you all for commenting. Happy Sabbath!
Wonderfully written. The Gospel indeed sends us into the world. May I feel compelled to go is my prayer.
I must admit, I have never used the word narcissism in any particular references, and have no idea without looking it up, as to the definition. It means being selfish, concerned with ones own personal issues. That may not be accurate, however in relating experiences of others I may have missed the purpose of the details. If I ever have need or opportunity to use the word narcissism I will try to keep it in mind.
William can correct me if I'm wrong in what he was intending by the use of the term, but Narcissism also describes someone who thinks they are better than someone else and therefore is inflated with their own sense of importance/perceived 'rightness' and correspondingly looks down upon others (or others who do not share the same beliefs/opinions) in a condescending manner. You will find this description more under a definition of the traits of someone with Narcissistic Personality Disorder as opposed to a straight out dictionary definition of the word narcissism.
Given your interest in word origins too, you might be interested to know that the word is derived from Greek mythology where Narcissus was a very handsome young hunter who fell so deeply in love with his own reflection (when he saw it in a pond of water one day) that he could not pull himself away from admiring it and consequently died of starvation!
Just a further thought about Happy Sabbath. This is not be judgmental or critical, but the greeting "Happy Sabbath" I believe originated in the late 1990's if memory serves. And a well noted Pastor was gifted with different expressions of this type. The comment " Happy Sabbath" is heard many times from the churches all over different continents. Another expression was "Forever Friend"
Kind of interesting why and where this expression began.
Happy Sabbath is a term we've used since I was child ('60-70s) and I am quite sure was used prior to that.
Narcissism sets us apart. The Gospel sends us into the world! amen and amen
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith” Rom. 12:3
Very well written! Happy Sabbath!
Hi William, a friedly suugestion ... expand this post, work more on the points you made and then submit it to R&H or Ministry as I don't know how many people will read it if the post sits only in this forum. You're pressing the right buttons and you are onto something very important .... especially because today the majority of people in even relatively developed countries have access to YouTube ... that access gives hem opportunity to watch videos on various conspiracy theories and 'priviledged knowledge'. It is simply impossible to tackle each and every awkward idea people accept but what your post does effectively is to tackle the attitude (of 'being special' or 'privileged'). If people recognize such attitude as a problem they might .... sigh, just might, be willing to question all these 'in depth' studies and 'new light' ideas... I think that would be more efficient approach
Thanks for the tip Jack!
Amen and amen! This is an important topic in this day. These conspiracy theories, narcissism, spirituality and the deceptive end time events of The Great Controversy are all inexplicably linked. This is a message for today!
I couldn't agree with you more. Our love for Jesus will make us more like Him. We will stand out as lights of His love in a positive attractive way, that will draw attention and bring others to Him, and not ourselves unlike the goal of narcissism.
Awe Amen!
Just what I needed to hear these days!
Thank YOU Mr. Earndhart!
Bless YOU!