Following Christ in a Consumer Society Reflection Paper 1 Following Christ in a Consumer Society Reflection Paper Stephanie Warner April 12, 2013 Concordia University Nebraska
Following Christ in a Consumer Society Reflection Paper 2 Following Christ in a Consumer Society by John Kavanaugh (2006) explores consumerism in society today and how such trends contrast with the desires of Christ and the life that Christians are called to live. Kavanaugh discusses the dangers of consumerism today, what the Bible says about materialism and the desire for more stuff, and finally how, as Christians, we live counter-culturally in a culture that values the consumerist mentality. There are five concepts from the book that can be specifically applied to ministry today: what the consumer society actually is, what defines the cultural gospel, how the God of the Old Testament warned against such idols and desire for material wealth, how the life of Christ relates to our humanity, and how Christians can live counter-culturally in a consumerist world. Definition of the Consumer Society Kavanaugh (2006) defines the consumer society as a formation system: it forms us and our behaviors. It is also an information system: it informs us as to our identity and as to the status of our world (p. 4). People are influenced by the objects around them whether that is producing them, buying them, accruing them, or relating to them. Donald Trump is used as an example of the emptiness that comes with being immersed in the consumerist society. Like Trump, people often try to base their identities in their possessions they accumulate and achievements they accomplish, clinging to what is new and popular. The problem comes, however, when one looks beneath the accolades and material wealth and does not find much. People then can feel empty and experience a lack of substance as they only have what they have put in front of themselves for others to see. Society fears human frailty, so people find all different types of things to cover up their self-doubt, personal limits, and shortcomings. This leads also to the problem we see in all of our congregations within individuals and family alike the flight from the solitary personal self haunt our compulsion to work, our urgency to produce. We often seem incapable of
Following Christ in a Consumer Society Reflection Paper 3 living in the present while paradoxically we feel robbed of time (Kavanaugh, 2006, p. 7). This leads to the inability to see within and reveal ourselves, and then therefore we struggle with knowing people for who they truly are. The media (which feeds the consumerism machine quite heavily) also affects our relationships with others. Kavanaugh refers to this connection between the media and consumerism by saying, when we are not producing or consuming, we watch (p.10). Media feeds our need for material wealth and promotes a loss of intimacy in our relationships with others. (2006) writes: The consumer society permeates the live of the people in our churches. Kavanaugh In own my own discussions with parents and their children concerning the problem of family stress and fragmentation [there] is no other force so pervasive, so strong, and so seductive as the consumer ideology of capitalism and its fascination for endless accumulation, extended working hours, the drumming up of novel need fulfillments, the theologizing of the mall, the touting of economic comparison, the craving for legitimacy through money and possessions, and unrelieved competition at every level of life. (p.11) This is a real-life problem for the people in our midst. Parents struggle in their relationships with one another and their children because of the time they spend working in order to consume more for them and their children. When they are at work or when they are at home tired from a long work day, their children are being saturated with media from all angles promoting consumerism, and the cycle continues. The Cultural Gospel
Following Christ in a Consumer Society Reflection Paper 4 Gospel as Kavanaugh (2006) defines it is a book of revelation, an ultimate source or reference wherein we find ourselves revealed an expression of who or what is our functional god (p. 25). While Christians tend to state that their gospel is the Bible, the message and truth as revealed through the Holy Scriptures that states that belief in the triune God and Jesus Christ as Messiah, culture has a gospel as well. In this gospel, people are seen as replaceable and marketable commodities, and many people, even members of Christian churches, belong to the church of things. In this section about what is most important to people, Kavanaugh centers in on American culture and the paradoxical culture that we live in, with examples such as our extreme toughness in our wars in other countries, but our lack of toughness when it comes to fighting injustice at home. Kavanaugh makes the direct statement in regards to this, Money talks (Kavanaugh, 2006). The reason that Kavanaugh likens the consumer mentality in our society to a gospel is because it has entrenched people, literally becoming a way of life, truth, and fulfillment for them. In the church, we must be aware of this when we are trying to teach people the Gospel of Christianity, knowing that non-believers may already have another gospel in place. Also, the Christians in our midst are likely struggling with these two Gospels as well the Gospel that they know gives them peace and truth through the Word, and the gospel that the world promotes around every corner through many different mediums. The God of the Old Testament and the First Consumerist Society Since the early part of the Old Testament, God has been speaking clearly about this overvalue of material wealth both from his words and the words of his people throughout Scripture. From the very beginning of the Bible in the creation account, God tries to steer his people away
Following Christ in a Consumer Society Reflection Paper 5 from trying to play god. This story of desiring domination over God s creation and then liberation from beliefs in false gods and the desire of power continues throughout the Old Testament with God s people Israel (Kavanaugh, 2006). The followers of God in the Bible struggled with idols and trying to higher themselves in society rather than caring for the poor just as Christians do today. God s people were called out of this lifestyle over and over again just Christians are called out of this lifestyle today. Kavanaugh (2006) writes, while the free covenant with the living God is a call out of bondage and idolatry, the people of God are at the same time and by that very reason called into a new life of relatedness not only with God, but with their fellow human beings (p. 91). While Christians often think that their struggle with the ways of the world is worse today than it has ever been before, the Old Testament clearly shows that the desire for more wealth and more things is not a new problem. The Life of Christ and Our Humanity In the New Testament, Jesus constantly references the consumerist mindset and how Christians are called to a life that is completely counter culturally to this. Just the fact that Jesus was the son of poor people yet also is the king of the universe should humble his followers. Christ s temptations from the Devil in Matthew 4 are similar to temptations that Christians have today the temptation for more power and dominion through an easy escape. Kavanaugh (2006) says that the temptation of Christ teaches us two things as people: [there is] a morality which is rooted in our covenantal relationship with God; and secondly, there is a revelation of our true personhood in the acceptance of our ontological poverty rather than in a trust of power, security, escape, magic, and their seductions (p. 98). When Christian people truly desire God s will in their life and are living in his grace, they understand that true joy comes from serving those who
Following Christ in a Consumer Society Reflection Paper 6 are lesser in society and living a life that is not focused on the gaining and retention of material belongings. Counter Cultural in a Consumerist World How do Christians who strive to live a God-honoring life exist in a world that is completely opposite of the life that they are called to live, the Christian life that Kavanaugh (2006) says is at its heart a service of humanity and human fulfillment (p. 131)? Kavanaugh offers five ways that help Christians resist idols in the world in which they live. The first way is through self-critique. Scripture is and should be a challenge to those who are following it. Is faith being live out? If not, Kavanaugh argues then that it is not real faith. Secondly, Kavanaugh suggests interiority and action. Christians must realize that faith is not limited to people who are wealthy it is for everyone. Social action cannot be just a trademark of a political group; it is a call to action from Christ himself from the New Testament. The third suggestion is moral consistency. Christians should be careful about being selective in their application of values from scripture. When Christians are not consistent in what they say they believe, their witness is in effective. Fourth, Kavanaugh offers the idea unity in diverse expression. Not one Christian can do everything, so they must accept that inability within themselves and find others that are working toward the same goals and align with others with the same faith. Finally, Kavanaugh suggest an emphasis on freedom and structure. While Christians can feel extremely passionate about certain things, they must remember to have understanding and love to bring others along. The concept of structured freedom is difficult to understand, but one that can be incredibly rewarding and honoring of Christ (Kavanaugh, 2006).
Following Christ in a Consumer Society Reflection Paper 7 While John Kavanaugh approaches Following Christ in a Consumer Society from a Catholic perspective, the principles he brings up are applicable to all Christians who desire to live more in line with God s desire for mankind. It is not easy undertaking, but the Bible reminds Christians time and time again that God blesses those who serve the poor and live humbly in his grace. References Kavanaugh, J. (2006). Following christ in a consumer society. (2nd ed.). Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.