Consumerism's Lie: We Are So Much More Than What We Make Or Spend (Part Two of our Conversation with Jeff MacDonald)

Part Two of our conversation focuses on the ways our culture reduces human beings to consumers, and what we can do about it.

 

As we begin the new year, we re-emphasize part of the What In God’s Name mission: we want to create a cohort or community of people who see, as we do, the need to renew certain habits of feeling and being together in community, and ways of thinking about and understanding the fullness of human life and flourishing, that are grounded in the wisdoms of theological and moral philosophical tradition. We see these habits and ways of thinking as being pre-political, and foundational to a healthy and civil shared life in families, economies, and polities.

 

In short, we want to create a community that is grounded in curiosity, going deep, and shining light.

 

Let us know your thoughts and reflections on our Facebook Page: @whatingods.

 

Our email: whatingods@ribeye-media.com.

 

Learn more. Our website: www.whatingods.com.

 

Here are timecodes to help you navigate through today’s show:

 

05:17     Jeff introduces himself and tells some of his story of becoming both a journalist and a minister. 

 

06:31     What does a life of authenticity and integrity look like? Why does speaking of “vocation” help us get a deeper view of the human being? How does Jeff relate the composition of a story that he writes for publication, to the form that a life can, or hopefully does, have?

 

10:13     Can you fulfill your vocation despite your job? 

 

11:40     Jeff talks about “Part Time Is Plenty,” his new book which is due out in April. Jeff’s discussion of the consumer mentality in churches leads to a consideration of consumer mentality in our culture at large. How does a consumer mentality diminish our humanity and debase notions of human flourishing?

 

15:22     What are some of the deeply human elements of life that a spiritual path can open for us? (Jeff talks about a few).

 

17:09     Buechner describes vocation as the meeting point of your deepest joy and the world’s deepest need. Discuss.

 

22:08     Shayna and Chris reflect on vocation and consumerism.