Social Dissonance

Social dissonance is a term commonly used in anthropological studies to classify the phenomenon that occurs when cultural boundaries, either artificially imposed or embedded, are unnaturally transcended. For example, when a gladiator, otherwise considered a lower-class individual, gained fame in the classical world through his exploits in the arena, he could become more honored than a member of the upper-class. An equestrian of upper-class status may lack the fame, or notoriety, that one would naturally assume he would have in greater quantity than the aforementioned gladiator. In biblical studies we see this play out with the apostle Paul. If Paul was indeed a citizen of Rome, he downplays citizenship and embraces the metaphor of slavery in service of Christ. To that extent, his status as a Roman citizen is in dissonance with his lower, adopted status as a slave.

In our class discussion, we jokingly paralleled this ancient phenomenon with our current lives as poor graduate students! Think of it this way. As a graduate student you go to the local Starbucks. The average working class Joe may perceive you to be of higher status simply because you're seeking higher education. In truth, based on economic indicators, the average Joe is (probably) bringing in more money and, at least for the foreseeable future, has greater stability. Of course, fortunes can change, but the current socio-cultural comparison is askew. 

This phenomenon is something to think about when we do/discuss church composition and mission. I think we have to think about the ways we implicitly and, rather naturally, categorize people according to categories which, unfortunately, do not reveal the whole truth. As believers, we are commanded to regard all people as equals (Gal. 3.28). However, when we think about outreach and putting together small groups, it may help to think about how we are more alike in ways which we may not think about, and more different in ways we may assume. And, as Paul modeled, we should be willing to make less of ourselves than our economic successes may imply.