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.