I am not sure how far down an anti-capitalist slide the author is. However, I think the following paragraph is clever.

“What makes the thought of working for some corporate, capitalist cause I don’t believe in absolutely unbearable is the opportunity cost. By wasting energy on one task, I forfeit my capacity to make good on another. Imagine you were told that you had to work out for eight hours a day at the gym, completely busting your —. In return for your troubles you got some snazzy gold star, but didn’t reap the benefits of having spent all day at the gym. Instead, you got fatter, lazier. And some other guy vicariously got in shape based on the fact that YOU had exercised.”

We must certainly find purpose in what we do with our 40+ hours. Even if that purpose is in the end, but not in the means.

David Thew
Sojourn Pastor
Thewblog

In closely reading this, I believe the author’s real problem is not with contemporary western life. I doubt he would be happy and fulfilled anywhere in any culture. The grass is not greener on the other side of the fence; it just appears greener to him. The real source of his frustration and discontent is internal. In Phil 4:10-13, Paul speaks of being content in whatever situation he is … something sorely lacking in this author’s life.

Bob Pratico
Fides Quaerens Intellectum
(my Sojourn blog)

So much of our lives is invested in a system that we are encouraged to join. If we don’t join or conform to that system, we are looked upon as outcasts and unfortunate. We go to school for 15-20 years to start our lives. After we leave school, we go to work for 1/3 of our waking hours each year. We do that for about half of our life. With the time you have remaining, you are bombarded by other man-made things.

It could be easy to see that a huge chunk of our lives seems _________ (insert adjectives like predetermined, mundane, repetitious, wasted, chaotic, loud, etc.).

I think it’s all about perspective - how you look at the world and WHEN you look at the world.

Those with A.D.D. are probably more aware of the machine than anyone else.

The authors states that someone woke him while he was having his American dream. Does anyone live the American dream? If so, why are they the ones getting uninterrupted sleep?

Thanks for sharing, Philip.

Regular and intimate fellowship with Christ brings genuine contentment, no matter one’s circumstances or situation.

I spent time in Saudi Arabia with a Muslim who had converted to Christianity. He suffers persecution that no Christian in America can relate to. I observed a real contentment in him that far transcends the peace and contentment of the vast majority of Christians I have encountered to date. Does he think that Saudi Arabia is utopia? Of course not. He recognizes the regime there as one of the most oppressive and corrupt on earth. He finds Saudi to be a most difficult place to live. But he does not complain. He has real peace and contentment because he has a strong, living relationship with the Lord.

Those that think their circumstances and situation are the true harbinger of peace and contentment will never find true, lasting peace.

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Phil 4:11-12)

Bob Pratico
Fides Quaerens Intellectum
(my Sojourn blog)

There were two things that spoke to me during today’s worship. I think they have direct impact with this conversation, in my mind anyway.

1. Bob was praying, he prayed for forgiveness because we have so many distractions that cause us to loose focus on our commitment/relationship with Christ. This made me step back a bit and realize that, perhaps, in this land of opportunity and “American Dream” that we are so distracted by the rudiments of this world and its systems that we loose Christ… so to speak. From a biblical, Christ centered perspective our “lives” are now hid in Christ who is in God (Col 3:3). As a result, my life is no longer my own… I have been bought with a price. (1 Cor.6:19-20) So what “I” want really doesn’t matter any longer. My desired, ambitions, significance, and fulfillment must line up with the scripture and be found “in Christ”. (1 Tim. 6:6)

I think the old nature fights this… I find myself fighting with it… disliking my job or getting wrapped up in political direction or war or wanting to find significance and fulfilment in the marketplace. As I grow in my relationship with Christ, I am finding that there is NO significance, fulfilment, meaning, peace, or happiness outside of God and his purpose for me on this planet. I think it is an issue of perspective. We think we are physical creatures having a “spiritual” experience when the truth is we are spiritual creature having a physical experience. This world is not my home… Perhaps that is why it doesn’t feel right. Perhaps that is why things are a struggle… we are not going to fit in nor are we suppose too. We are “ambassadors” on a mission in a foreign land.

As I continue to process it… We have to ask ourselves, “where can I have an effective impact for the cause of Christ and the furtherance of the gospel?” What gifts, talents, abilities, desires are God given and where can I use them to meet people, live the gospel, and make a buck? From a career/marketplace perspective, what if we considered Jesus before $$$ or status?

2. As Bob was introducing communion he made comment that we cannot live spiritually outside community. Using the example of “Cutting of my finger… it will eventually die because it is not connected to the rest of the body.” Ladies and Gentlemen… WE NEED EACH OTHER. We need to be in community together, worship together, live together, do life together, cry together, have fun together, work together, pray together. There is NOTHING to quirky or embarrassing or stupid or even sinful that would cause me not to need love, relationship and community from other Christ followers. I think it is the propensity of the flesh to want to be recluse or disassociate from others in our spiritual community when we fell threatened of vulnerable.

I LOVE the fact that Sojourn is a “safe place”. I can come in with my baggage of life issues, theological uncertainties, and quirks and I am able to sort through it. It is ok to be “agnostic” about things without feeling the pressure to line up or toe the party line… There is grace to work through it or kick in the tail if needed.

Eric M. (ericgmorgan.com)

ericmorgan said “We think we are physical creatures having a “spiritual” experience when the truth is we are spiritual creature having a physical experience.”

I never recall hearing it put exactly like that, makes me think. Thanks for that nugget.

Rich Sturmfels
Diesel Does It

Perhaps some people would be surprised at how prevalent thoughts like that author’s really are. Maybe even among people who can quote theological terms.

Philip’s tunnel to nowhere: blog.godblessthefreaks.org

I believe it is a legitimate issue. I believe people want significance and fulfillment or a sense of purpose in whatever they do. I read the Jonestown blog. I even read the comments. I can empathize to a point. I was taken back at the amount of people who feel this way. There are times I feel this way. However, I come back to a point if clarity and realize that Jesus = life change… a paradigm shift of sorts.

I am not trying to come across like I have it all figured out. I still struggle with issues. That being said, there has to come a point when a Christ follower, by faith, accepts that he is a new creation is Christ. The old crap is passed away. There is an acceptance/faith in God’s sovereignty. It is not an academic process… it is a faith process. The problem with trying to find significance and fulfillment in this world is, IMHO, allowing flesh, the old man/former self/old nature, to come down off the cross and “live” instead of the spirit of Christ.

I believe the gospel contains the answer for all of us… all of our life issues. We can speculate on issues Western Society, capitalism, war, leadership, oil, career, etc. We can either flow with it, rail against it, or be a catalyst of change. However, Jesus and the gospel are the baseline… how that effects our us personally, our worldview, and how we deal with others perhaps looks different.

Perhaps I am a babbling incoherently…

Eric M. (ericgmorgan.com)

Knowing v. Feeling …..

> That being said, there has to come a point when a Christ
> follower, by faith, accepts that he is a new creation is
> Christ.

No doubt, but there’s a huge gulf between intellectually knowing that as a fact and feeling like a new creation in Christ.

We can just accept this dichotomy as part of life – possibly with some rants about how faith should be driving the train instead of feeling – or we can try our best to use whatever insight God has given us to understand the dysfunction there.

Philip’s tunnel to nowhere: blog.godblessthefreaks.org

There are a few different issues to balance, here. I don’t have anything insightful to say at this time (and I may never) but I’ve got some items that I’d like everyone else so speculate on, so I can read it. :-)

- Balancing concepts of contentment vs. being an agent of change. Bob, I hear what you’re saying about being content, and I think you’re right on. On the other hand, Luther didn’t post the thesis on the Wittenburg Door because he was learning to be content with the situation - he got up and changed it. I’m not saying that these are mutually exclusive concepts, but I’d like to hear more ruminations about how to make them work together. I’ve got nothin’. Maybe some of this is due to the fact that some of us are in jobs to which we aren’t called? The fact that I’m writing this on my lunch break instead of getting back to work suggests that I may be one of these people, I have no idea.

- One of the objections that I’ve heard that I’ve heard to modern Christianity is that it seems to result in the elimination of the self at the expense of serving a larger purpose. The need to be an individual is just not met. Looking at the culture that spawns cookie-cutter Christians makes it difficult for me to be too hard on this critique, however, I think it’s due to the fact that Christianity is being misrepresented rather than flaws in the teaching of Christ. The self, I believe, is most fulfilled even as an individual by plugging into community and finding purpose in glorifying God. It’s just difficult to deal with the disparity between what that should look like and the Christian culture that we have.

Insight is appreciated!

- garrett (golfsierra.org/blog)

Don’t mistake contentment with being satisfied with the status quo. Paul did not complain about the oppressive Roman system that eventually martyred him. In fact, he gave thanks for being where he was at. At the same time, He worked for change from within.

This author, on the other hand, clearly comes across as unhappy and discontent. I doubt he would be happy anywhere in any culture.

Bob Pratico
Fides Quaerens Intellectum
(my Sojourn blog)

I suspect this author would rather more satisfied, if not eternally happy, in a culture that promoted more fulfilling work for more people. However, that scenario is pretty counterfactual, so it could well be that my assessment of the author’s motives is wrong. We’ll never know.

I, on the other hand, actually wonder if I’ll ever be happy in any culture. Then I remember that I’m among Christians and revert to mouthing soothing Sunday School platitudes so as to forestall them from questioning my faith. Maybe one day I’ll learn just to keep quiet.

Philip’s tunnel to nowhere: blog.godblessthefreaks.org

Some of you are quite judgmental in your conclusions.

What MFV said is dead on, and to deny it is simply, well, denial.

One could easily make the argument that religion is nothing more than a distraction (A way to justify/cope with the un-justifiable).

In our society, people are discouraged from being who they are, and instead are encouraged (Brow beaten) into assimilation, subjugation, and superficiality. We define people, as some of you have, by our affiliations (Religion, Political Parties), jobs, income, possessions, etc.

None of these things have any real meaning.

I have no problem with religion, but just because it works for you does not mean it will work for everyone, which is why there are Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Atheists, etc instead of one world religion.

MFV, and I both have ADHD. I take Adderall, and it helps me a great deal, but if I gave it to someone without ADHD they might start foaming at the mouth.

Eric’s statement about people with ADHD being more aware actually has some scientific truth to it.

People with ADHD, they theorize, have lower levels of Dopamine in their brains. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, and part of its function is that it helps the brain prioritize input, and information.

ADD’ers have a difficult time prioritizing stimulus, and because of this we pay attention to things others may not.

Thanks for the link, and hope I didn’t offend anyone. We are not “Anti-capitalist.” America is anti-capitalist.

Ask anyone who owns a small business.