“I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free.”
Even if you don’t like that song by Lee Greenwood, you probably know it— it is pretty ubiquitous at certain kinds of public events, and certainly at this time of year.
I’ve been thinking a lot about freedom these past few months: what it means to be free, and who gets to define freedom. In the United States, of course, with our heavy emphasis on individualism, so often we are taught to think of it in terms of individual freedoms: what I can do or say myself, and the choices I can make for myself like where to live, decisions about my body, decisions about who to be in relationship with, decisions about employment. Now, especially in this moment, I think, it is worth asking just how free many Americans really are, particularly when the focus is on individual rights, but that’s a blog post for someone else.
Instead, on this day in particular, I want to emphasize a different understanding of freedom, one that is not grounded in individual rights, but in structural and societal policies and laws—and of course, the disposition and habits of those who participate in society—that promote the flourishing of life. These freedoms are more properly understood as freedom for, and freedom from, rather than freedom to. Let me explain.
When you think about freedom purely from the perspective of individual rights, you might think that “freedom” means I have the freedom to vote, I have the freedom to quit a job, I have the freedom to marry or divorce, I have the freedom to carry a gun, etc. In general, “freedom” points to the idea that I am able to make good choices or poor choices for myself, without undo constraint.
Freedom for, by contrast—and here I am following Martin Luther—refers more to what I am able to do for others, and for the common good: freedom for service, freedom for sacrifice, freedom for solidarity with those in need.
And, freedom from, again, when we think about it in the context of flourishing, means freedom from homelessness, fear, hunger, abuse, or exploitation.
Now, I am aware all three of those prepositions can point us in different directions; there are many different ways to define freedom. But for me, I will take my cue from Jesus.
Jesus, of course, talks a lot about freedom: it is a hallmark of his ministry, actually, as his healings, proclamations, feedings, and interpersonal interactions all flow from his mission to proclaim the freedom that comes with being forgiven, healed, restored, and reconciled.
And, what we see in Scripture is that many of those whom he freed became his followers, doing to others in his name what he had done for them: providing them new life, and giving them new hope for the future.
Today of all days, that is the freedom that I want to celebrate: the freedom that looks first to the other, not to the self; the freedom that insists on hope and refuses to give up; the freedom that furthers abundant life for all.
Happy Lutheran 