In The Divine Commodity (affiliate link), Skye Jethani challenges the reader to take a look at the way American consumerism has impacted the American Christian worldview.
Faced with declining numbers, Jethani asserts, “in the mid-twentieth century some feared America would follow the path of Europe, where the church atrophied to become an emaciated shell of its former glory. That fear drove evangelical Christians to seek, cultural, political, and economic influence as a way of ensuring survival.”
The end result is an American Christian culture that mimics the American secular culture in nearly every way. Mega-churches are operated like mega-corporations. Success is measured by numbers of people and dollars. Worship services look like rock concerts. Church growth is fueled by savvy media marketing. And research shows that “evangelical Christians are as likely to embrace lifestyles every bit a hedonistic materialistic, self-centered, and sexually immoral as the world in general.”
Jethani claims that we have become so accustom to consumerism we don’t even realize the way that it has affected our Christian faith. And so The Divine Commodity examines the way consumerism has impacted the American Christian worldview in ways most American Christians take for granted.
I found the book to be extremely insightful and compelling, but what makes The Devine Commodity unique is the way Jethani intertwines the life and art of Vincent van Gogh throughout the book. By doing so, he contrasts the superficial, institutional American church with the mysterious, unconventional world van Gogh exemplified through both his tumultuous life and perplexing artwork.
This book is a good read for anyone who considers him or herself a Christian. In particular, if you primarily look at God and the church for what you can get out of them, or if you are lead a church that is trying to appeal to the American consumer by conveying the message that God and your church can make their life better, this book will challenge you. It may open your eyes to new ways to live out your faith and be the church.
Each day this week I’ll be posting about different affects and perspectives on consumerism and Christianity. I hope you’ll join me for the discussion.
What impact do you think consumerism has had on the American church?
1 thought on “Book Review: The Divine Commodity”