The Divine Commodity by Skye Jethani has been one of the most intriguing books I’ve read this year. His thoughts on consumer Christianity are well crafted, and I love the way he weaves in van Gogh’s life and artwork (I can’t wait to act like a complete art snob in front friends now with my recent ‘education’).
Jethani hits hard at how consumerism is the dominant worldview in North America and how it’s infiltrated the church. Religious merchandise is a $7 billion dollar annual industry and he goes as far as saying “shopping occupies a role in society that once belonged only to religion – the power to give meaning and construct identity.”
I was a bit surprised that he named names as he critiqued church growth / branding / marketing, but he also humbly includes his own struggle and journey with a consumer mindset. The heart of it being the outsourcing of our imagination, “Image saturated culture means that the imagination isn’t required the way it once was… we ingest ready-made images like junk food”.
The most affirming and convicting idea Jethani suggests is the abandoning of bigger-is-better strategies and outcomes. This is affirming because I know it’s true, I see it in the life of Jesus, and I know that it was “the Lord that added to their numbers” in the early church. This is convicting because I’m guilty of having a consumer mindset all the time. Something in me still wants the spectacular and the jaw-dropping turnouts, but maybe when it overshadows the simple seeds of silence, prayer, love, friendship, fasting, and hospitality, we’ve veered off the wrong way.
Where do you see consumerism shaping your life and the church?
by Lon on September 9, 2008
Having been an Anne Rice vampire chronicles fan, it’s been a phenomenal journey following her through her Christ the Lord series.
Rice always writes beautifully, but the Road to Cana stood out above the rest to me. She tackles the difficult balance of what it means to be fully man and fully God while developing both throughout the story. She interconnects biblical stories while using plenty of artistic license to stimulate fresh perspectives as you read the gospels. ie. who’s wedding was he at when he turned the water into wine?
As with all her books, Rice does an impressive effort in shedding light on the historical and cultural settings. ie. What was it like to be a man in his 30s and unmarried during those times? She explores the very mind of Christ as it is written in the first person and shares the struggles he may have went through. Without fail she describes his tenderness and deep love for humanity.
The book was so captivating and imaginative I’d recommend it to just about anybody, where ever they are in their spiritual journey. I applaud Anne Rice for wrestling through this and sharing it with the rest of us.
by Lon on February 3, 2008
I’m not as well-versed in the ethnic issues as many of my peers are, however I’ve been chewing on this article by Fast Company for a number of months now. Click on the caption below for the full article.
The Chinese don’t get creativity, right? Sure, they can stamp out a widget, or knock off a DVD, but when it comes to imagination, they just don’t have the gene. Well, keep telling yourself that.
The mindset that they’re countering has almost always been my perspective, and I’m Chinese.
China has increasingly been equated to a global manufacturing powerhouse due to the mass amount of cheap labor available… ie. the reason why you’re wearing and touching several items ‘Made in China” right this moment.
The article suggests that there is a revolution underway. Not just in terms of manufacturing, military, or the economy, but with creativity in China.
Could it be that God might be using globalization, technology, and the democratization of information, to liberate people like never before?
What would happen if the imaginations of 1.3 billion people in China were unleashed?
If its true that China and India (also known as Chindia) are emerging global superpowers – what implications does that have for Christianity?
As the developing world transitions from the Industrial Age to the Creative Age, what’s next for the current Creative Class?
