The Semi (08-01-2008)
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Fuller Theological Seminary Digital Commons @ Fuller The SEMI (2001-2010) Fuller Seminary Publications 8-1-2008 The Semi (08-01-2008) Fuller Theological Seminary Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.fuller.edu/fts-semi-6 Recommended Citation Fuller Theological Seminary, "The Semi (08-01-2008)" (2008). The SEMI (2001-2010). 256. https://digitalcommons.fuller.edu/fts-semi-6/256 This Periodical is brought to you for free and open access by the Fuller Seminary Publications at Digital Commons @ Fuller. It has been accepted for inclusion in The SEMI (2001-2010) by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Fuller. For more information, please contact [email protected]. CONNECTING THE CAMPUS • CREATING DIALOGUE SUMMER 2 • August 2008 Christian Consumerism A Book Review of William T. Cavanaugh's Being Consumed: Economics and Christian Desire by Sam Andress What does it mean to live Christianly in the consumer culture of late capitalism? While there are numerous recent books out critiquing consumerism and materialism, many from an evangeli cal persuasion, Catholic moral theologian, William T. Cavanaugh offers a penetrating analysis that goes beyond scratching the surface. That he does so in one hun happens when a transaction is mutually beneficial by dred pages while interacting with the likes of Augustine, being voluntary and informed. From this point we are Aquinas, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and John Paul II is all led to a couple of conclusions of which the most im the more impressive. In Being Consumed: Economics and portant for Cavanaugh, is that the free market has no Christian Desire, Cavanaugh puts forth the thesis that, telos—no common ends for which each parties desire is rather than setting up an ‘either or between blessing directed. In engaging freedom and unfreedom, people’s or damning the ‘free market’,” a theological micro desires become the center, because ones telos orders ones understanding of life, and therefore the economics is needed which can posture desires that they act upon. Drawing Christians “in concrete alternative upon Augustine’s writing about practices” in order to create eco free will, he incisively shows nomic space “marked by the that true freedom must body of Christ.” With the have its end (telos) as Eucharist emerging as life in God; therefore the central alternative real desire takes the practice, the proposal eschatological re takes shape through newal seriously in a four-fold analysis the present. This of: the free mar allows Chris ket, consumer tian desire to be ism, globaliza ordered rightly tion, and scarcity. and thus our un In the United derstanding of States, the word freedom is not freedom is thrown based on what the around a lot, in state and its corol relation to freedom lary market econo of the press, democ mies mean by the racy or the market. word. He concludes But when is a market the first section, “... free? This question is ad churches should take an dressed with reference to active role in fostering eco- the father of capitalistic theo ry, Adam Smith, who Cavanaugh tells us presumed that free exchange Continued on page 3 If you have preliminarily leafed through this issue tial for relationships, for community. When to any extent, you can tell that we here at the SEMI I decide to go fishing or catch a film at a heartily enjoy lists. You might also notice what ap cool venue, I do it with people. O f course, pears to be a slight oxymoronic quality to the juxta there is nothing wrong with solitude, it is position of the cover aticle and said lists. That is, it immensely helpful at times. But, as we rec seems a bit strange to have a cover article discussing reate and goof off this summer, we must consumerism, then lists in the issue that seem to remember that all we do is in the midst encourage rampant consuming. of community. What we consume affects Yet, this is not as contradictory as it seems. For, people, and who we consume it with. as Sam Andress relates (if I read him corectly), the consuming is not at fault in and of itself. It is the “Igot some new pajamas with pockets in 'em. nature and tendancy to discard, to diassocite one Which is great, because before that, I used to self from the social and political world. Thus, the- have to hold stuff when I slept. But now I ’m real danger of this consumerism is a loss of com like, ‘Where’s my planner? There it is. “Keep munity. This is essentially what these types of list sleeping. ’’A ll right, perfect. ’” articles are about, in a way. —Demetri Martin While having fun and recreating is important as Ben Cassil far as self-care and rest is concerned, it is also essen SEMI Editor We're looking for contributors for the following: Summer Fun, Advice for New Students, Presidential Politics and Reviews. If you are interested in contrib uting writings or artwork, or want to write a letter to the editor, e-mail: semi- ».SEMI [email protected]. All submissions are subject to editing for length and clarity. Dean of Students R u th V u o n g Managing Editor Carmen Valdés Editor Ben C assil ADVERTISEMENT [email protected] Production Editor Scott Arany [email protected] Ads Coordinator Eugene Suen FULLER COPY SERVICES [email protected] On Walnut St. next to the Book Store The SEMI Is published weekly as a service to the Fuller community by Student Life and Services, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA 91182. Articles and commentaries do not necessarily reflect the views of the Fuller administration or the SEMI. Final editorial responsibility rests with the dean of students. Letters to the editor: The SEMI welcomes brief re sponses to articles and commentaries on issues rel evant to the Fuller community. All submissions must include the author's name and contact information and are subject to editing. Announcements: Notices may be submitted to [email protected] or dropped off at the SEMI Office on the 2nd floor of Kreyssler Hall above the Catalyst. They must be submitted by the deadlines printed below and not exceed 35 words. Advertisements: Notices for events not directly sponsored by a Fuller department, office, or or ganization w ill be printed in the “Ads" section and charged per word. All requests should be made through the ads coordinator. Submission______ __ Deadline Welcome Week Aug 11 Fall! Sep 15 EMAIL: [email protected] Page 2 • Summer 2 • the SEMI Photographie Thoughts ^fSgtr - ■ •: Cross and the Flag, Hendersonville, North Carolina, by Scott Arany What do you think about this image? What does this say to you about politics and religion in America? Send us your thoughts at [email protected]. Also, feel free to send in your summer photos; let us know what you did this summer! CONSUMERISM Continued from page 1 Christian narrative. Thus it seems all nomic practices that are consonant get more—the new! From a theologi the necessary information for a truly with the true ends of creation. cal perspective the point is helpfully free exchange is most of the time not Refreshingly, consumerism is not made that this sort of societal dispo available to us. 0 addressed with a wagging of the fin sition is not inconsequential, it is a ger and a guilt trip. He tells a story “spiritual disposition and shapes the of a college kid who sells his forehead way we see and live in the world. His as advertising space and notes that analysis goes on to show how as con what marks consumer culture is not sumer culture progresses, its forces in first greed, but its powerful ability creasingly detach us from the produc to transform anything into a com ers of the real goods. In this setting, modity. This cultural reality has led people and social locations no longer to our detachment from things (and play into the ethics of our exchange people), noting that consumerism practices; only the corporate slogans is not so much about us wanting to and symbols form us, causing us to be hoard more, but more of our ability shaped by narratives which most of to quickly discard what we do have to ten do not have the same telos as the the SEMI • Summer 2 • Page 3 How to Waste Your Summer Productivity is Overrated By Ben Cassil and Scott Arany W A R N IN G : This list is completely arbitrary. Likewise; it is a|rci Bowl. Golf. www.bowlluckystrike.com • www.nintendo.com/wii www.arroyoseco.com Ahh yes, bowling. The smell of feet, cigarette smoke and 2jg) Feel like brushing up on yi b tl floor polish. The delight of cooling your fingers with a ern neighbors in South P ia h convenient finger blower. Seeing how heavy a ball you can hurl and still affordable and fun golf experiences ar< t tl retain use of your wrist. There are many run-of-the-mill alleys within Course. If multi-colored balls and fan easy reach, but if you want something a little more trendy check out out the mini golf course, complete witL le a Lucky Strike in Hollywood. Plush seating, fancy food and a buzzing pop. Equally affordable is the more grc > (li atmosphere make these lanes a bit more appealing than your standard which students can fre flashing turkey animation. An added bonus is easy access from the Metro quent for as little as $10 Red Line. If you’re feeling for nine holes. A visit to a bit more Jestson-esque, this course will cure you splurge for a Nintendo of the notion that golf is Wii, and you can forgo all expensive.