Ayn Rand changed my life. When I embraced her philosophy, Objectivism, the conversion was far more dramatic than my decision, several years later, to follow Jesus Christ””more dramatic, but in the end transitory. Yet Rand, the novelist, philosopher, and uncompromising atheist, inadvertently opened a door for the gospel. I don’t believe dead people spin in their graves, but if they did and she could read these words, I imagine Rand would be twirling violently.
As many have noted, Rand’s ethic of rational self-interest is incompatible with the gospel, and leads to social as well as spiritual disaster. “Most observers see Rand as a political and economic philosopher,” wrote Gary Moore last year in Christianity Today. “I believe that she was first and foremost an anti-Christian philosopher.” A six-foot dollar sign wreath towered over her casket, Moore pointed out, an icon of the false gospel she labored to proclaim. I agree entirely that Christianity and Objectivism are utterly incompatible. But my gratitude to Rand remains profound.
Truly remarkable testimony. Northern Indiana is blessed in its bishop.
Indeed we are.
Ayn Rand’s economic views are entirely in accord with her gospel of self-interest, and are also equally incompatible with the gospel. Unfortunately, Rand was a key inspiration of some of those most responsible for the US economic policies of the last few decades, the inevitable effects of which we (and much of the rest of the industrialized world) have sadly been experiencing in the economic catastrophe of the last several years.
Ideas have consequences, and, to the extent that bad ideas are embraced, produce long-term unfortunate consequences.
Excellent article.