A growing number of Christians are disturbed by the consumer culture that has infiltrated the contemporary church. Worship has become entertainment, the church is a shopping mall and God has become a consumable product. In The Divine Commodity Skye Jethani wrestles with the tension of following Christ in a consumer culture, and suggests practices which can help free you to experience God in a meaningful way.
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.
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 stars(5 out of 5 stars)
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5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Korea99 (Korea), December 10, 2009
Have you ever found yourself incredibly detached from what is going on around you on Sunday mornings, wondering why you can't seem to relate to the hype of the "worship service?" If so, this book will help you put a finger on your disconnectedness. This book is not about bashing the church, it is about realizing how we as Christians have adopted the numbing effects of consumerism, and how the American church keeps the anesthesia flowing through its consumer driven programs.
Pastor, you may think your church is unique and is different from the mega-churches who push polished programs and worship services. Think again. Ask yourself how your services and the culture of your church is any different from the mega-church catering to the "seeker." The bottom line, if we are honest, is the mega-church has more money and talent to lavish on its programs. Read this book and free your mind from the anesthesia of programmatic consumption of the Gospel.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by John Durkee (Federal Way, WA), May 29, 2009
I list it as required reading for my 3 young pastors whom I mentor. I believe it ought to be required reading for all pastors.
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