The Collapse of Community: Freud and Jung’s Individualism vs. Adler’s Vision, and Yeshua’s Fulfillment

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Freud and Jung’s Individualism Sabotages Community, Adler’s Vision Revives It...

In an age where loneliness gnaws at the soul of society, where hollow digital “likes” stand in for heartfelt embraces, and where the once-sturdy tapestry of community frays into threads of despair, we must ask: Why are we so alone? The answer lies not solely in technology or fate, but in the psychological frameworks we’ve embraced—and, more deeply, in a spiritual truth that spans the ages. Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, with their focus on the individual psyche, have shaped a culture of isolation, while Alfred Adler’s call for community offers a counterpoint. Yet, the Hebrew Scriptures and their fulfillment in Yeshua (Jesus) reveal that this crisis is not new—and that its remedy has been promised all along.

The Psychological Roots of Our Loneliness

Freud and Jung: The Triumph of the Self

Sigmund Freud saw humanity as a cauldron of inner turmoil—id, ego, and superego locked in eternal strife, as detailed in his 1923 work The Ego and the Id. For him, the individual was a solitary actor, wrestling with repressed desires in a world that merely shaped the stage. Carl Jung, in his 1959 book The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious, though he glimpsed a collective unconscious, turned it into a personal odyssey, where archetypes guide the soul’s private quest for meaning. Both exalted the inward gaze, whispering that salvation—psychological or otherwise—lies within. Their legacy saturates our culture: we’re told to “know thyself,” to chase self-actualization, to excavate our depths—while the bonds that tie us to one another wither. Communities crumble as we prioritize the psyche’s dark corners over the light of human connection.

Adler: The Unsung Prophet of Community

Alfred Adler rejected this navel-gazing, insisting that mental health and human purpose spring from Gemeinschaftsgefühl—a deep, instinctive “community feeling,” a concept he explored in his 1927 book Understanding Human Nature. He saw us not as lone voyagers but as social creatures, thriving only when we nurture mutual support and shared purpose. Adler warned that neglecting this truth breeds isolation and neurosis—a prophecy borne out in our age of digital disconnection. Yet, his voice was overshadowed by the louder doctrines of Freud and Jung, leaving us to inherit a world obsessed with the “I” at the expense of the “we.”

The Biblical Vision: Community as God’s Design

While Adler’s insights into community are profound, they find an even deeper resonance in the Hebrew Scriptures, which have long emphasized the importance of communal life.

The Hebrew Scriptures: Israel as a Covenant People

From the beginning, God called a people, not just individuals, into relationship with Him. In Deuteronomy 6:4-5 from the Complete Jewish Bible (CJB), we read, “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! You are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.” Known as the Shema, this command is addressed to the entire community of Israel, emphasizing collective devotion. The prophets spoke of a future restoration—not of scattered individuals, but of the nation as a whole. Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37:1-14 (CJB) vividly portrays God breathing life into a fragmented people, reuniting them as a living community. In Jewish tradition, this communal focus is embodied in klal Yisrael—the community of Israel. Prayers and rituals use plural language, and the sage Hillel warned in Pirkei Avot 2:4 from the Mishnah, “Do not separate yourself from the community.”

A Spiritual Crisis Foretold

The collapse of community, then, is not just a psychological failure but a spiritual one. The Hebrew Scriptures warn against selfishness and isolation, calling God’s people to live as a unified light to the nations. When we prioritize the self over the collective, we stray from this divine design—a drift that Freud and Jung’s individualism has only deepened.

Yeshua: The Restoration of Community Fulfilled

This communal emphasis in the Hebrew Scriptures finds its ultimate expression and fulfillment in the teachings and work of Yeshua.

Yeshua’s Teachings: Love as the Bond of Community

Yeshua called His followers to form a new community, the church. In Matthew 16:18 (CJB), He declares, “I will build my community, and the gates of Sheol will not overcome it.” His teachings center on love and unity: “I am giving you a new command: that you keep on loving each other. In the same way that I have loved you, you are also to keep on loving each other. Everyone will know that you are my disciples by the fact that you have this love for each other,” as recorded in John 13:34-35 (CJB). This love is the foundation of a transformative community that fulfills the prophetic vision of a restored Israel.

The Early Church: A Living Witness

The early church in Acts 2:42-47 (CJB) embodied this vision, sharing resources, meeting daily, and supporting one another in radical unity. This was no optional add-on to faith; it was the tangible expression of Yeshua’s redemptive work, fulfilling Ezekiel’s promise of a revitalized people. Just as Adler saw community as essential for mental health, Scripture presents it as vital for spiritual health—and Yeshua as its restorer.

The Anti-Community Logic of Modern Church Structures

However, despite this clear biblical model, many modern churches have adopted structures that inadvertently undermine this communal vision. Instead of fostering intimate, interconnected communities, they propagate an anti-community logic.

The Pastor as the Central Figure

In many churches, the pastor is positioned as the primary source of spiritual insight, delivering sermons to a largely passive congregation. This setup contrasts sharply with the early church’s plurality of leadership and shared contributions, as seen in Acts 2:42-47 and 1 Corinthians 14:26 (CJB). The result is a congregation trained to consume rather than contribute, to depend rather than discern.

Small Groups: Extending the Pastor’s Reach

Small groups, while well-intentioned, often extend the pastor’s teaching rather than fostering true fellowship. Discussions revolve around a sermon rather than the diverse gifts of the body, as described in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (CJB), reinforcing a hierarchy that undermines community.

The Cost: A Congregation of Strangers

Despite sincere efforts, this structure often hinders genuine connection, leaving congregants as spectators rather than participants. The biblical vision of a “chosen people, a royal priesthood” from 1 Peter 2:9 (CJB) fades, replaced by a crowd united by a speaker but divided by a lack of shared life.

A Broader Cultural Echo

This modern church structure mirrors the individualism Freud and Jung championed, standing in stark contrast to Adler’s community focus and the biblical ideal. Yet, hope remains in Yeshua’s ongoing work to build His church on the principles of love and mutuality.

The True Meaning of "Ekklēsia" and Its Modern Divergence

To understand how far we’ve strayed, it’s crucial to revisit the original meaning of ekklēsia (ἐκκλησία), the Greek word translated as “church.” Derived from "ek" (out) and "kaléō" (to call), it refers to a community of believers summoned by God to live as a unified body, as noted in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance from 1890, entry G1577. In the New Testament, ekklēsia denotes not a building or institution, but a living assembly where every member participates in mutual love and service, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:27 (CJB). This vision portrayed a community of equals gathered around Jesus, empowered by the Spirit.

Yet, the modern church has diverted far from this meaning. Today, "church" often signifies buildings, denominations, and rigid hierarchies—structures that prioritize institutional identity over communal life. The focus has shifted from the participatory ekklēsia to passive attendance, from interdependence to reliance on a singular leader. This departure echoes the individualism of Freud and Jung, diluting the biblical call to a shared priesthood in 1 Peter 2:9 and a body equipped by diverse gifts in Ephesians 4:11-12 (CJB).

Addressing Objections

With this understanding, we can now address some potential objections to this communal vision.

Some might argue that personal salvation emphasizes the individual. While each must choose faith, Scripture frames this within community—Paul’s body metaphor underscores interdependence in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (CJB). Individualism that neglects community misses the heart of God’s plan.

Is Adler’s Vision Truly Biblical?

Adler didn’t draw directly from Scripture, but the parallels are striking. Both he and the Bible recognize that humans are designed for connection, and that isolation leads to dysfunction. His insights align with the biblical call to community that Yeshua brings to life.

Isn’t Strong Pastoral Leadership Necessary?

Leadership matters, but the New Testament favors shared leadership among elders in 1 Peter 5:1-4 and mutual growth in Ephesians 4:11-16 (CJB). Unity and truth emerge from the Spirit-led community, not top-down control.

Does Adler’s Condemnation of Religiosity Contradict His Use of Scripture?

Some might note that Adler frequently cited scripture yet condemned religiosity, raising questions about consistency. Adler’s use of scripture was not an endorsement of religious institutions or dogma. Instead, he employed biblical references to illustrate universal human experiences—such as cooperation and belonging—that resonate with his concept of Gemeinschaftsgefühl. His criticism of religiosity targeted its potential to foster rigid dogma or division, which he saw as obstacles to authentic community. This perspective complements the critique of modern church structures, aligning with the call to return to the relational ekklēsia.

A Call to Reflect and Reconnect

Our loneliness reflects individualism’s wreckage—a crisis both psychological and spiritual. The Hebrew Scriptures point to restoration, fulfilled in Yeshua, who builds a community where love reigns. As we consider modern church shortcomings, let us reimagine structures that reflect His vision of shared life. What steps can we take to rebuild the communities our souls crave? Explore these truths for yourself—discover in Yeshua the hope to save not just ourselves, but one another.

If you found this article insightful or helpful in your walk with Yeshua, please share it with others seeking biblical truth. Together, let’s grow in covenant faithfulness.

Shalom!