Discovering a Faith Beyond Consumer Christianity
By: Skye Jethani Format: Hardcover, Printed |
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Synopsis: The human imagination is the key battleground in the conflict between the kingdom of God and the consumer culture. Drawing from the vivid imaginations of Impressionist painters, particularly Vincent van Gogh, each chapter of The Divine Commodity uses personal narrative, biblical exposition, and cultural observation to show how consumerism has shaped our faith, and then challenges the reader to use their sanctified imagination to envision an alternative way of expressing the Christian life in our culture.
Click for product description and detailsISBN: 0310283752, ISBN-13: 9780310283751, UPC: 025986283759
Features: Discussion/Study Questions included
Suggested Uses: Lead & TeachAges: Adult
Related Product Types: Church Life & Ministry
Endorsements for The Divine Commodity:Skye Jethani sees the tragedy in divine commodification, but he does more than critique the darkness. He uses it as a mirror to help all of us find colonies of religious consumerism growing in our own hearts. And he uses the light of great saints and artists—from Thomas à Kempis to Vincent van Gogh—to lift our sights to something higher and deeper and wider than personal religious "customer satisfaction." —
Brian McLaren, Author, speaker (brianmclaren.net) The Divine Commodity is a probing look at how the tentacles of consumerism have wrapped themselves around the American church, nearly choking it to spiritual death. Jethani manages to name the beast without condemning the many practitioners of consumer Christianity, and he speaks not only the hard word but also suggests ways that can help us break free. One of the more thoughtful critiques I've read in a long time. —
Mark Galli, Senior Managing Editor, Christianity Today Jethani has written a summoning, thoughtful, often humorous report on the pathology of consumerism among us, and its enormous capacity to shape our lives. More than that, he ponders the resources of faith that enable one to resist the power of commodity and to embrace an alternative life in the world. This is as good a book on the pervasive power of consumerism as I have read. Jethani calls things by their right names, and imagines how differently our society could be shaped. This will be a welcome read for those who are willing and able to see us as we are … and still to hope. —
Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary More Endorsements
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The human imagination is the key battleground in the conflict between the kingdom of God and the consumer culture. Drawing from the vivid imaginations of Impressionist painters, particularly Vincent van Gogh, each chapter of The Divine Commodity uses personal narrative, biblical exposition, and cultural observation to show how consumerism has shaped our faith, and then challenges the reader to use their sanctified imagination to envision an alternative way of expressing the Christian life in our culture.
Description: The challenge facing Christianity today is not a lack of motivation or resources, but a failure of imagination.
A growing number of people are disturbed by the values exhibited by the contemporary church. Worship has become entertainment, the church has become a shopping mall, and God has become a consumable product. Many sense that something is wrong, but they cannot imagine an alternative way. The Divine Commodity finally articulates what so many have been feeling and offers hope for the future of a post-consumer Christianity.
Through Scripture, history, engaging narrative, and the inspiring art of Vincent van Gogh, The Divine Commodity explores spiritual practices that liberate our imaginations to live as Christ's people in a consumer culture opposed to the values of his kingdom. Each chapter shows how our formation as consumers has distorted an element of our faith. For example, the way churches have become corporations and how branding makes us more focused on image than reality. It then energizes an alternative vision for those seeking a more meaningful faith. Before we can hope to live differently, we must have our minds released from consumerism's grip and captivated once again by Christ.
Book & Bible Cover Size: MediumPage Count: 192
Size: 5.7 wide x 8.8 high x 0.8 deep in. | 145 wide x 223 high x deep 20 mm
Weight: 0.75 lb | 339 gms
Available: February 2009
WorldPublisher: Zondervan
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