Have you ever wondered how you see the world—and why? It’s because of your worldview, a set of beliefs and assumptions that shape how you interpret life, make decisions, and find purpose. Everyone has one, whether they realize it or not. More than just culture or religion, a worldview underpins how we answer profound questions like, What does it mean to be human? and What is the definition of a man or a woman?

In today’s cultural climate, these questions have become surprisingly contentious. What was once widely agreed upon has been muddied by shifting ideologies. Increasingly, identity is seen as something to be self-defined—a hallmark of what scholars call expressive individualism. This worldview prioritizes self-expression and personal fulfillment, often at odds with Biblical teaching on human purpose and identity.

Human Identity in the Biblical Story

To understand the current identity crisis, we must start with the Bible’s teaching on humanity’s design. Genesis 1:26-27 declares that God created humans, male and female, in His image. This creation reflects God’s nature as a triune being—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who exist in unity and diversity. Similarly, men and women are distinct yet complementary, designed to reflect God’s nature. Unlike a materialistic worldviews that would reduce us to mere physical beings, or a hyper-spiritual view which would lower the view of the body, the Bible sees humans as integrated beings of body, soul, and spirit. Each part matters and contributes to our identity and purpose.

However, humanity’s fall as described in Genesis 3 fractured this unity. Adam and Eve’s disobedience led to confusion and brokenness in how we see ourselves and our Creator. In the New Testament, Romans 1 describes how humanity exchanged God’s truth for lies, dishonouring both their bodies and their Creator. This disintegration is at the root of many modern struggles with identity.

Expressive Individualism: The Modern Identity Framework

At the heart of this modern shift towards “expressive individualism,” is a cultural mindset that sees self-expression as the highest goal of life. In this view, traditional authorities like family, community, or religion can often be perceived as oppressive if they challenge personal authenticity. Historian Carl Truman speaks about this cultural shift in his book, “The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self”. He contrasts earlier generations, who prioritized duty and community, with today’s generation which focuses on self-fulfillment. This Expressive Individualism also deeply shapes modern views on gender and sexuality. Messages like "live your truth" and "you do you” reinforce the idea that individuals can define their own identity and sexuality, irrespective of physical or societal norms.

Sexuality and the Church: Missteps and Truth

The church’s response to sexuality has often fallen into one of three extremes: fear, idolatry, or silence. Some have treated sex as taboo, fostering shame instead of healthy understanding. Others, influenced by culture, have idolized sex as life’s greatest fulfillment. Both views miss the Biblical teaching that sex is a gift to be stewarded within the covenant of marriage. This misunderstanding is compounded by cultural messages that elevate sexual identity as central to human purpose—a concept rooted in Freudian thought. Sigmund Freud argued that humans are fundamentally sexual beings, and true liberty comes from embracing and expressing this identity. Psychologist Wilhelm Reich went further, blending Freud’s ideas with Marxism. Reich viewed traditional structures like the family and the church as oppressive forces that stifle personal and sexual freedom.

These ideas have profoundly shaped Western culture, leading to today’s hyper-sexualized environment. Yet they stand in stark contrast to the Biblical view that our worth and identity are rooted not in sexuality but in being made in the image of God.

The Gospel’s Answer to Modern Identity

So, how does the gospel speak to this identity crisis? Jesus’ teaching offers a radically different foundation. In John 8:32, He declares, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” A Christian worldview affirms that there is absolute truth rooted in God’s character and that living in alignment with this truth leads to flourishing. This truth includes embracing our design as integrated beings—body, soul, and spirit—made in God’s image. It means recognizing that our value is not determined by self-expression or sexual fulfillment but by our Creator’s love and purpose for us. Modern ideologies like expressive individualism may promise freedom, but they often lead to confusion and bondage. By contrast, the gospel offers clarity and liberation. It invites us to find our identity not in ourselves but in Christ, who restores what was broken and brings wholeness to our lives.

Moving Forward

As Christians, particularly those working with youth, we must understand these cultural shifts to effectively disciple the next generation. This means engaging thoughtfully with complex issues like gender and sexuality, grounding our conversations in Biblical truth while showing compassion and grace. In a world where shifting sands of ideology can leave young people confused, the church has an opportunity to offer a solid foundation of God’s truth. By helping others see their worth and identity through the lens of Scripture, we can point them toward the freedom and flourishing found in Christ.

The task is challenging, but the gospel equips us with the answers—and the hope—that our culture so desperately needs.

Three Action Steps for Engaging with Modern Identity Issues

1. Deepen Your Understanding of Worldviews

- Resources like "The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self” by Carl Truman, “Making Sense of God” by Timothy Keller, or “Understanding The Times” by Dr. Jeff Myers & Dr. David Noebel to gain insight into the philosophical and theological underpinnings of these issues.

2. Cultivate Compassionate Conversations

- being slow to speak and quick to listen is a lost art. We, as Christ's followers, need to access the grace of God to be able to interact with those who hold different worldviews than we do without losing it. Though it's not face-to-face, this includes our interactions on social media…behind the pixels are people.:)

3. Model and Teach Biblical Identity

- We must experience the depth of our identity in Christ for ourselves if we are going to express this effectively. Prioritize discipleship that emphasizes our identity as image-bearers of God, integrating body, soul, and spirit.

- Encourage others to root their self-worth and purpose in Christ rather than cultural narratives, emphasizing the freedom and flourishing that comes from living according to God’s design.

This article is a part of a series by Bryan Pue, highlighting some of the content that is covered in our video resource: Youth Leader’s Course.

The Youth Leader’s Course is a free five-session video resource that will help anyone leading the next generation to be better equipped with Biblical confidence and clarity on matters of sexuality and identity. It is designed to be approached in a group setting and will be a great resource to take a team through. You can access the sessions and the discussion guide (released January 2025) here.

The Looking Glass: seeing clearly in a confusing cultural moment