Tuesday, March 14, 2006
PostModern Workshop Part 4
Consumerism
Our Western culture is ate up with consumerism. I tell my students all the time to beware of life because everything we do, every decision we make revolves around consumerism. Particularly the "teen" world, but not excluding the rest of life.
I have recently finished a book that deals with the issue, along with many others, quite extensively. You can check it out here. As the book suggests, we have got to find a way to subvert this consumeristic lifestyle that has been drilled into our heads. In order to do this, we must imagine life to be different. We cannot settle for the life that we are living right now.
Our allegiance is not to our economy. Our allegiance is to Christ. We must find ways to set ourselves "free." The church continually tells us that the point of this life is not to obtain possessions because our "treasures are laid up in heaven." Then why do most "church" going folks fall in line with the rest of society when it comes to possessions? I know, I know...I'm just as guilty as the next person, but its got to be said. When will we wake up?
I don't know, perhaps I am turning into some left-wing hippie, but everything is connected. My so called "happiness" because of the things I own is tied to "slavery" of another form in other countries. If God's will is to be "done on earth as it is in heaven," then why do we live the way we do? With an insatiable appetite for more and more.
Let me know what you think?
Adam
For a better informed view visit here.
Our Western culture is ate up with consumerism. I tell my students all the time to beware of life because everything we do, every decision we make revolves around consumerism. Particularly the "teen" world, but not excluding the rest of life.
I have recently finished a book that deals with the issue, along with many others, quite extensively. You can check it out here. As the book suggests, we have got to find a way to subvert this consumeristic lifestyle that has been drilled into our heads. In order to do this, we must imagine life to be different. We cannot settle for the life that we are living right now.
Our allegiance is not to our economy. Our allegiance is to Christ. We must find ways to set ourselves "free." The church continually tells us that the point of this life is not to obtain possessions because our "treasures are laid up in heaven." Then why do most "church" going folks fall in line with the rest of society when it comes to possessions? I know, I know...I'm just as guilty as the next person, but its got to be said. When will we wake up?
I don't know, perhaps I am turning into some left-wing hippie, but everything is connected. My so called "happiness" because of the things I own is tied to "slavery" of another form in other countries. If God's will is to be "done on earth as it is in heaven," then why do we live the way we do? With an insatiable appetite for more and more.
Let me know what you think?
Adam
For a better informed view visit here.
Comments:
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You made a good point Adam, and amazingly, it makes sense to me. It is kindof like my history class, whenever we ask why some act has been passed, or something like that, we always decide it is because we are capitalistic, or "slaves" to our possesions.
Stephanie
Stephanie
# posted by 
: March 14, 2006
: March 14, 2006
"Perhaps I am turning into some left-wing hippie"
Proof that there is hope for us all!
Seriously, though - good thoughts. I am preaching a sermon Sunday called "The Madness of the Marketplace" based on John 2 where JC shouts out, "Stop making my Father's house a marketplace." Right up this same alley!
Peace, my fellow hippie,
Andy B.
Proof that there is hope for us all!
Seriously, though - good thoughts. I am preaching a sermon Sunday called "The Madness of the Marketplace" based on John 2 where JC shouts out, "Stop making my Father's house a marketplace." Right up this same alley!
Peace, my fellow hippie,
Andy B.
Hey buddy. I ordered that book, first for me then for youth at church. We're not so different you and i.....
You have discovered the truth of Solomon(all is vanity)in Ecclesiastes. He also says, "there is a time for every purpose under heaven". I think our purpose, is to find those other purposes under heaven, and do them...on time.
Seeking first the Kingdom of God, is at the root of a life of peace and contentment. Pursuing the things of this world without a foundation of faith is vanity indeed.
Mr. C
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Seeking first the Kingdom of God, is at the root of a life of peace and contentment. Pursuing the things of this world without a foundation of faith is vanity indeed.
Mr. C
# posted by : March 15, 2006
: March 15, 2006<< Home
