Kiera e-mailed me the other day to point me to this article written by a guy called Mark Sampson. It’s a great piece and highlights individualism and consumerism as the two big problems that face the church in our day. However, while Mark highlights the issues well, he doesn’t give us much advice on how to deal with these two behemoths (not a criticism, just an observation; probably not his intention anyway).
Andy Crouch has written an excellent article on how the sacraments themselves (particularly baptism and the Eucharist) are potent resources for those wanting to follow Christ in the world. Here are his main points:
In Paul’s letter to the Romans, it is clear that baptism was central to the self-understanding of the early Christians. Paul argues that when we present our bodies to God (the same bodies risen from baptism), we are one body, not many (Romans 12). As we begin to ‘live out’ our baptism, we are offered a model of true community living.
While baptism aids us against individualism, the Eucharist offers us a way past consumerism. At the table we consume the simplest of foods, the meal does not nourish us and yet is the ‘bread of life’ and the ‘fruit of the true vine’. Nobody gets preferential treatment, all have the same meal and there is no menu with a hierarchy of products.
Many of us from low-church backgrounds tend not to practice the sacraments much, if at all. Are we missing the point?
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17 comments:
It’s a very good and important point Jon. Consumerism is an easily identifiable vice of the church but individualism proves far more concerning in my mind. The model of church we read about is one of unity and community yet the outworking of today’s church just backs up the world view of the individual. Margaret Thatcher was poignantly quoted to have said “There is no such thing as society: there are individual men and women, and there are families.” As a church, surely we have just conformed to the shaping of our society. We build denominations and congregations with the aim of becoming a more inclusive body, meeting more of the individual’s needs, yet are we just fuelling the individual?
The overwhelming image I see in the example of Jesus is the need to die to self. What are the practicals of doing this?
I think that the sacraments are really important. Especially baptism. It seems that it was one of the key acts that happened when people became Christians in the NT. I was at this lecture, and the guy had found all the times a person had become a Christian in the NT, and what had accompanied it. Obviously, there was repentance, and believiing mentioned, but almost as much as that, they were immediately baptised. I dunno if we're missing a bit of a play with that one.
Gotta agree with Mark Samson though, consumerism and individualism are possibly the two over arching problems in the church today, and I don't want to sound like a stereotype, or even necessarily get in to a socialism debate, but aren't they both products of the American neo-capitalism, or the slightly less aggressive European capitalism that is totally a part of Western culture.
Chalky, I agree. We definitely need to rescue baptism, if it is to become anything close to a critique of individualism. I take your point about main purpose but there is definitely a level of meaning there waiting to be exploited.
Tim, they are definitely big problems. I think they both feed into each other. As long as we are going to church to have our needs met, how can we ever hope to foster the kind of community you describe.
Tim, good to see you've raised your ahead again. Yes, I think i agree. Capitaism (correct me if I'm wrong Lucinda) seems to be all about me (individualism) and my needs (consumerism). And yet somehow it is still percieved as that which is best for society by many. Confusing to say the least.
Sorry to hijack this post, but its official, knitting IS back in fashion. Check it out on Jon's last knitting post...
Jon, I think you're wonderful and very brainy, which is why
I feel I should correct you on your spelling of 'perceived' so you don't spend anymore time getting the 'i' and the 'e' the wrong way round... it's 'i' before 'e' except after 'c' (most of the time!), therefore it's percEIved. Keep up the good work...
Vikki, thanks for the correction, I always get those two the wrong way round. Are you going to set up a blog any time soon?
Trev, although no system can be perfect, because humans are involved, I think that the underlying values of capitalism are much worse than those of socialism. Capitalism in essence seeks self promotion and self achievement, whereas socialism seeks the promotion of the state, and all people within that. Capitalism will always end up with the few who a mega rich, powerful etc, whereas the ideal of socialism seeks a more equal sharing out of wealth.
Now, as I said before, any system well end up corrupt, and socialism quite clearly has its flaws, but I don't see how there can be any argument that capitalism is a negative system for humanity as a whole.
I don't think that most people in a capitalist society have never ending choice- the few might, but not the masses. Socialism doesn't seek to stop innovation, or excelling, its just the backdrop for it isn't personal benefit, but benefit for the state.
Trev, I agree, all things get corrupted in the end, but I'm with Tim in that some systems are inherently more negative than others.
However, given that we live in a capatilist society, two of the major dangers facing the church are capitulation to the ideals of consumerism and individualism. Finding a way of critiqing these through practice and preaching is therefore imperative. I agree with Andy Crouch that a regular practice of the sacraments goes a long away toward this goal.
Yeah, good point about competition Trev, it does mean that at the end of the day hopefully the consumer will benefit. But if you think about some of the major communist coutries- Russia sent the first people into space, China is one of the worlds fastest growing economies, and Cuba make lovely cigars! Its just maybe the motivation is less selfish, and more nationalistic (which I don't necessarily think is a good thing by the way).
But back to the debate about individualism and consumerism. Obviously cell church has its flaws, but I do think that they have a good way of combating individualism by encouraging community in a stronger sense than conventional churches tend to do. And by encouraging the every member in ministry thing, it stops people from turning up to just 'consume' the meeting. Go Fusion!
It certainly is one of their strenghts. But in what sense can a meaningful community be established if you only meet together as a whole once a month?
True, but I was thinking a similar thing about baptism and communion. Baptism as a symbol of rejecting individualism is great, but it is something that is only done once in your life, and I don't know if it is an adequate defence against something that we live in every day. Similarly with communion, even if we take it one a week, is it really able to do that much?
I think that something is probably needed that is at least daily, if not more regular. Because the challenges of individualism and consumerism are met many times a day too.
I agree (although you would be exposed to baptism every time it was done, but that still doesn't help you every day). What other daily practices do you think could help us?
Have come in on the debate rather late in the day. A few comments though:
Tim O - Margaret Thatcher's quote "there is no such thing as society" has been grossly misrepresented, she also said "It's our duty to look after ourselves and then, also to look after our neighbour." There is a very good book called "There is such a thing as society" which introduces twelve principles of compassionate conservatism looking at how the Conservative party is renewing society and to guide a future Conservative government to address the challenges found in society today.
Tim L, Jon and Trev - I have to say that I disagree with Tim's statement "Socialism doesn't seek to stop innovation, or excelling". My perception of socialism is that it seeks to bring everyone down to the lowest common denominator rather than aspiring to give everyone the same opportunities. I'll use 'Tony' as an example. If Tony can't do something, then rather than enabling him to do that thing, no-one can do it. Not only does this stop Tony excelling and innovating - but others too.
I don't think of myself as a capitalist - becasue that doesn't fit with my faith, but one of the things that most appeals to me about Conservatism is the paternalistic tradition running back to Disraeli and the principles of 'noblesse oblige'. Those who had were expected to provide, and enable those who did not - much like the Biblical principle of "to those who have been given a lot much is expected."
I think we misunderstand Conservatism if assume that it all it stands for is 'self'.
Jon - surely the daily practice is prayer. Humbling ourselves before God each day, and asking for forgivness for all the times "I put myself first"?
Actually Trev, it was at a drinks party on the terrace for an industry client ;)
Hey Cinds, good post. But I'm not sure that its fair to say the socialism SEEKS to bring people down to the lowest common denominator, even if in practice that is what happens.
I liked the phrase 'noblesse oblige', but how would you implement that? Surely it can't be left to the good will of the rich, so the only other alternative is to have higher taxes for the better off, but thats hardly a conservative policy is it? It's more a Lib Dems idea.
Back to the original post, I think that while prayer is of course an excellent thing, it is, in many, if not most churches used in a deeply consumerist and individualist way. It becomes what I need, or want, which is all that individualism and consumerism is really. So the need is to find a way by which our spiritual life can enable us to free ourselves from the shackles of conservativ... er I mean capitalistic ideals.
So we are still searching for that elusive practice. Although it doesn't happen every day, I have been thinking that tithing is a very powerful act in this respect. Choosing to give rather than consume; and in giving we acknowledge that we are part of a wider community which our contribution provides for.
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