Our library finally came through with Introverts in the Church, into which I will dive as soon as I finish the other two books I’m currently reading. I wonder if it will touch on the question that came to me while I was waiting:
Could Jesus have been an introvert?
Going with the standard definitions of extroversion as having one’s energy renewed by the presence of other people, and introversion as having one’s energy renewed by solitude, it makes no sense that God—the source of all energy and in no need of renewal—could be considered either. But in taking on human form, he took on human limitations, and just as he was male instead of female, had brown eyes instead of blue, and spoke Aramaic rather than Chinese, he was most likely one or the other. I think there’s plenty of Biblical evidence to suggest that he may have required solitude for refreshment and renewal, especially in times of stress and after being with large crowds. For example:
- Luke 5:16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
- Matthew 14:13 (after the beheading of John the Baptist) When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place….
- Matthew 14: 23 (after the feeding of the 5000): After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.
- Mark 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
- Luke 4:42 At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place.
Pressed in on all sides by crowds, exhausting himself with teaching and healing, when Jesus needed rest he sought lonely places and the company of his Father alone.
Sounds like an introvert to me.
Yes, I agree. One shouldn't lose sight of how the Gospel of John uses the threat of synagogue expulsion as a punishment for those who believed in Jesus' message.
Extroverts dominate political and social intercourse to this day. In essence, extroverts are uncomfortable being alone, and mistakenly believe others are the same way.
