Are we back in the Roaring Twenties?

The ‘roaring twenties’ started with great decadence, prosperity, confidence and advances in art, science and technology. However, it didn't last. By 1929, the Great Depression was underway, confidence had plummeted and most damagingly, people had turned in on themselves.

When times are difficult, the human tendency is to turn inward. We trust less. We hope less. And we think more about self-preservation than service to others.

Are we living in a narcissistic world?

In his award-winning book Surrounded by Narcissists, Thomas Erikson talks about how our digitalised and consumeristic cultural currents are provoking people to think more of themselves and less of others.

It’s fitting that when St. Augustine sought to communicate the meaning of ‘sin’ from Scripture – he used the phrase homo incurvatus in se— “man curved in on himself.” How right he was.

The winds of uncertainty – it seems – tend to blow us inwards on ourselves. With trade wars and international tensions at the highest they’ve been in living memory, the conditions seem troublingly ripe for a repeat of the roaring 20s.

Love is our Great Distinguisher

However, we know there is another way – a heart posture that holds fast to that which is true, pure, noble, right, admirable and lovely (Philippians 4:8). An outward-facing disposition that embraces those in need and has the audacity to sacrifice and serve. In a world mired in selfishness, Jesus reminds us that love is our great distinguisher – it is how the world will know that we are His followers:

‘A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’ - John 13:34-35

Two weeks into the season of Lent, let us redouble our commitment to love, serve and reach out as Christ did.

Resources To Encourage You:

Can Fitness Help You Cheat Death?

OCCA has just released the latest episode in our Easter series. In this episode Alanzo Paul and Ben Thomas discuss gym culture, self-worth and the dissatisfaction that comes from pursuing eternal youth in this life.

How Can Christians Have Meaningful Conversations in a Polarised World?

Watch a short snippet from my conversation with Darrell Bock about how Christians should engage in issues of culture.

Will Christianity Survive in a Secular Age?

Max Jeganathan explores the challenges facing the Christian faith today, from rising secularism and shifting moral values to the influence of social media and new ways of thinking about identity, truth and purpose.

OCCA Summer School 2025

This is a wonderful opportunity to invest time in digging deeper into the important cultural issues of today through a Christian lens. Watch our new promo video to hear from last year’s attendees and see if you’d like to join us in Oxford this July.