I felt compelled to return to writing with this article on identity. I seriously believe that the biggest crisis facing the modern world today is not war, financial instability or health epidemics but an identity crisis. People frequently struggle with their identity, which shapes their sense of self, their purpose in life and their approach to living morally. At times the quest for self-definition can become a perplexing maze, leading to confusion and distress. James E. Côté’s article on”The Enduring Usefulness of Erikson’s Concept of the Identity Crisis in the 21st Century,” highlights how modern students are still deeply affected by identity crises. Côté’s analysis shows that unresolved identity issues lead to significant psychological distress, including increased anxiety and depression. Due to this many try to look for a sense of identity in worldly constructs. 

As someone of mixed ethnic background, I haven’t connected strongly with a single cultural identity, a single way of doing things or viewing the world. As a result, I find it easier to navigate and adapt through various cultural spheres. This fluidity often leads others to ask, “Which country do you feel you belong to?”. To that I simply answer, neither. Neither the country of my birth, the country where I grew up, nor the country that represents the majority of my ethnic background will ever define who I am. I cannot limit myself nor my Creator, God, to such a narrow scope. My identity does not lie in the social groups I belong to, nor in the colour of my skin, my sexual orientation, the political party I support or the language I speak

For the purpose of this article, I will explore how one’s sense of identity cannot be confined to a specific geographic location. I hold a British passport, a Peruvian ID card and my birth certificate that states I was born in Hong Kong. Defining my identity by these places was not an option. My multicultural upbringing exposed me to a diverse array of influences, enriching my worldview and shaping my way of life. In a previous article, I discussed how, as a teenager, I realised that my identity is built on a unique blend of these various cultures. Being ethnically mixed became a form of cultural expression in itself, liberating me from the need to conform to a single cultural identity or fit into a predefined category.

In the course of my research for my previous articles on the origins of ethnic groupings, I discovered that placing ourselves into so-called biological categories, while socially useful, has little basis in science. These categories were often established by institutions with ulterior motives, such as endorsing slavery. I go on to explain, that if we are descendants of those who first emerged from Africa, at what point did someone create a list of ethnic divisions to separate the human race? We must not allow ethnic categories to ultimately define our heritage, for the cultural heritage of humanity is one of continuous blending and merging throughout time. This is not to suggest that information on ethnic breakdowns isn’t useful or relevant. However, we must not allow it to ultimately define our heritage.

As I developed my spiritual walk, I gained a deeper understanding of identity through Jesus’ teachings and the identity God has given each of us. Jesus declared, “…my kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36), emphasising that He came to establish a new culture and way of living. This radical, countercultural ethos considers hating your brother as grievous as murder and commands us to love those who hate us and forgive everyone, even those who have wronged us, lest our prayers be hindered. Jesus interacted with various ethnic communities but crucially, He did not derive His identity or way of life from the world around Him. The Bible recounts how Jesus was even rejected in His hometown: “Then Jesus told them, ‘A prophet is honoured everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family’” (Mark 6:4). 

When one begins to follow Jesus and embrace His teachings, it is not uncommon to find yourself at odds with the very society and community in which you were raised. This is because, instead of reflecting the values and ways of the world, you embody the principles of the Kingdom from which you were created and sent. The values and ethos of the Kingdom of God often stand in such stark contrast to those of the surrounding culture that you may be perceived as countercultural or even alien.

This realisation led me to understand that anchoring one’s identity to earthly matters is not the true aim. It’s perfectly acceptable to feel out of place, for even Jesus did not always conform and was frequently countercultural. Yet, Jesus did connect with the communities around Him, showing that it is possible to be both distinct and connected. Jesus never forgot that He derived His entire sense of identity and existence from God the Father, which imparted profound meaning to His life. This is what grounds me; with this confident knowledge of my identity in Christ, I know who I am, what I have been created to do, I am neither confused nor perplexed in life and I know who I can call on in times of need. 

My primary endeavour is to reflect the culture of my true origin, the Kingdom of God. If this happens to coincide with certain ways of life and values found in earthly cultures, so be it, praise God! For not all elements of our diverse cultural expressions are flawed. As Timothy Keller wrote, every culture will be “critiqued and revised by the Christian message”—a topic I shall delve into further next week, as I believe that cultural diversity can enrich not only our human race but also the Christian faith. 

References

Côté, J.E. (2018) ‘The Enduring Usefulness of Erikson’s Concept of the Identity Crisis in the 21st Century: An Analysis of Student Mental Health Concerns’, Identity (Mahwah, N.J.), 18(4), pp. 251–263.

Keller, T., 2008. The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. New York: Dutton.