The Death of Elitism

These are the best of times…and the worst. We live in an age of resolute narcissism and the result is death for the culture and society of mankind. The collateral damage has been the death of established knowledge and expertise. Now, the damage is spreading to the elite.

The word ‘elite’ is Latin in origin meaning to choose or select. The concept was rooted in Greek culture for superior abilities and qualities of excellence. In modern culture elite has referred to the best, most powerful, influential and privileged group of people. Fast forward to 2025 and the word is used casually to describe almost everyone. The meaning behind the word has quickly diminished beyond recognition as every imaginable diverse characteristic now classifies the individual as an elite. Is this an evolution or an orchestrated campaign against excellence…and against the Kingdom of Heaven?

The elite have always been with us. In ancient Greece the concept of man’s excellence was central to being classified as an elite. The identification as an elite has been diluted as the term goes from being used as a singular into plurality; elites. Elite writers and communicators, law enforcement officers, politicians, hair stylists and make-up artists. Elite weapon systems have taken the place of elite warriors. Players in the NBA were historically elite in their athletic abilities. Today, NBA players sacrifice their status as gambling scandals reveal morally bankrupt individuals and the love of money defines their elite status.

Are we witnessing the death of elitism, the dilution or is there a deeper plot behind this? As we become more sophisticated, educated and evolved it is obvious we have become ethical morons. Yes, there was a time you could simply inherit the status of being an elite but the title demanded a degree of morality with our fellow citizens. Like Kansas in the Wizard of Oz, this has gone ‘bye-bye’.

Elite has become a label and not an identifiable trait of excellence. Everyone now considers themselves elite at something. To understand how far removed today’s elite have come from the concept and origin of true elitism, we use contrast. In all history, the One who most easily defines being an elite never identified as such. Jesus was fully God and fully man but he didn’t consider this elite status something to be grasped. Therefore, he made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant. He humbled himself and became obedient to forces that had no sway or effect on him. This OG elite even accepted death by hanging on a cross. Something not seen by an elite since.

Elite is a comparative term. To be an elite golfer you compare yourself to Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Scottie Scheffler. Does anyone aspire to be an elite follower of Christ or an elite defender of the faith? In the New Testament Paul best fits this description. His advice was to ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others as better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.’ Do you know any elite with this mindset?

The current crop of those accepting the title of ‘elites’ identify as such and put their confidence in achievements. They attend gatherings that identify them as elites by achievements like accumulation of wealth, titles and positions that recognize their election and achievement. The Bible teaches that Christ followers should not put any confidence in who they are or what they’ve accomplished. The very credentials used to identify as elites should be thrown out and considered ‘rubbish/dog dung’ in favor of seeking to be Christ-like.

Paul wrote about 25% of the New Testament, an elite status. His creed is best summarized in one verse, Philippians 3:10. ‘I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.’ Paul used Christ as the role model for the elite status.

More than 2000 years ago Jesus defined elitism. Christ followers were elite as defined by the Latin meaning of being chosen and elected. Christ said “‘You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit..'” The growing surge of elitism has resulted in elevating men and separating them from God.

Odds favor each of us can define a person or group of people as elite in some aspect. Does your sample include anyone with an elite faith in Christ? Are YOU defined as elite by your faith or humility? God makes anyone who comes to him through Christ an elite. Peter said, ‘…you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession…’

The Greek got their concept of elitism from God’s natural order and recognizing excellence. The Latin origin of being chosen and elected is accurate. The world has perverted the concept and use of the word to point away from God and towards the individual. Let God define the elite. Not the world.

Be a catalyst for maintaining God’s definition of elite. Don’t add to the death of elitism by accepting the world’s cheap diluted version.