I have a pet theory that I like to call “The Doctrine of Inner Brilliance.” Despite that ridiculous name, or possibly because of it, I often find myself trying to explain this theory to friends, family members, and unsuspecting passersby. This doctrine concerns the individual and how he or she relates to the rest of society.

According to the doctrine, the individual is a storehouse of great wealth and potential. Each person carries about in his or her bosom an inherent luminescence, an inchoate genius. The wider world, and the people and systems that comprise it, are judged by their ability to recognize and nurture this spark.

Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon

It’s always been inside of you, you, you

And now it’s time to let it through-ough-ough

– Firework, Katy Perry

Perhaps Maslow is partially to blame for this, considering the exalted position he gave to self-actualization. John Locke may also bear some guilt, since he seems to have saddled us with the heavy burden of pursuing our individual happiness (so long as we don’t trample the rights of our neighbor). But no philosopher or theologian is likely to take credit for the doctrine in its popular form. If The Doctrine of Inner Brilliance had a creed, it would go something like this:

  • I am the great protagonist of history.
  • Everyone who lives and who has ever lived and who ever will live are supporting characters and extras in my story.
  • My successes and failures are of utmost significance, the things upon which angels long to look.
  • The world is just and good exactly to the extent that it rewards me.
  • My greatness is intrinsic to my nature. I was born with it. It is not dependent upon displays of talent, ability, and goodness.
  • My inner brilliance deserves to be recognized. Money, fame, and romantic attention are all acceptable forms of recognition.
  • People who encourage me are good. They are on the right side of history.
  • People who criticize me are bad. They are either usurpers or presumptuous in the extreme.
  • Whatever shortcomings I have are adorable foibles and only add to my mystique.
  • Whatever talents I have are profound and whoever beholds them is lucky beyond comprehension.
  • My current position in the world is insufficient. My territory must be increased.

You have probably heard the hymns of this doctrine. You have seen the movies and the TV shows in which our protagonist, simply by being our protagonist, deserves to have every dream come true. One outworking of the doctrine is evident in the live’s of the world’s least happy people.

THE LEAST HAPPY PEOPLE IN THE WORLD

As Arthur Brooks, President of the American Enterprise Institute, explained in a lecture at the 2014 Aspen Ideas Festival, statistically speaking, the least happy people in the world are 45 year old men. What is it about middle age men that are so sad?

“What you find out about the guys who are 45 and they’re having a hard time is basically this; when you’re in your 20s and you’re in your 30s…life and its goals are actually simple. You want to do better, you want to be happier, you want to be more successful, hit the gas on your career. Make more money, get the promotions….”

“And things are great and that seems to work. And then guys hit their mid-40s and they say, whoa, I’m on the wrong road. I mean, this superhighway I’ve been cruising down, I don’t want to be on this highway, I want to be on a road that I chose. I want to be on that little dirt road over there, right? There’s a guy on it, on a motorcycle, okay? No helmet, okay? I want to be that guy. I mean, he’s doing it his way. He chose that little road. I want to be that guy.”

The modern career has a built-in mechanism for the display of inner brilliance. Work hard and you can ascend. (I’m not saying that every person who works hard is doing so to reveal his or her inner brilliance. You, reader, as surely not guilty of this. I’m really talking about other people.)

But, as demonstrated in Mr. Brook’s quote, career success can begin to feel a bit flimsy in middle age. So, is there a better way to understand ourselves as humans? I believe there is. But be warned, things are about to get religious.

CHRISTIAN ANTHROPOLOGY & INNER BRILLIANCE

It is possible to discuss meaningfully the subject of good work (or education for it) only by first clarifying the questions What is man? Where does he come from? What is the purpose of his life? – E.F. Schumacher

The foundational intuition of The Doctrine of Inner Brilliance is that people matter. Not simply “mankind” as a class, but individual men and women. We know that we are significant, even if we can’t tell you why. This is where the doctrine starts, and “by mixing a little truth with it, they had made their lie far stronger.”

Human beings made by God and in His image is the foundation of Christian anthropology. We are a special part of creation. Humans matter, and our significance isn’t a result of our talents or abilities. And because this is true, humans have a dignity that does not depend of their size, net worth, or political value.

The Doctrine of Inner Brilliance and Christian anthropology both agree that humans are important. But while the Christian derives that importance from the fact that he or she bears the image of God, The Doctrine of Inner Brilliance looks to the unique essence of the individual.

Christian thought also differs from The Doctrine of Inner Brilliance in how it treats others. According to the doctrine, life is a struggle to assert my own preeminence. Other people tend to be a hinderance in that struggle insofar as they are also self-centered. In contrast, the ideal of Christian fellowship consists in seeing others as fellow recipients of grace. Rather than struggling against them, we are called to struggle with them. As Bonhoeffer said, “It is only when he is a burden that another person is really a brother and not merely an object to be manipulated.”

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the Christian faith and The Doctrine of Inner Brilliance are at odds about the very purpose of life. The latter seeks to bring honor and glory to the self. However noble the means may appear, the end is nothing more than pride. But for the Christian, “the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” We are taught in the Lord’s prayer to seek the glory of God, the Kingdom of God, and the will of God. And so, in a surprising and paradoxical way, we find our true end by abandoning the attempt to glorify ourselves.