How much must change? Everything!

In January I read Brian McLaren's book Everything Must Change: Jesus, Global Crisis, and a Revolution of Hope. (Robin blogged about it here.) I finished it while back East helping my mom to move. On the way home, I had a four-hour layover in JFK, and so I took the time to write down some of my favorite sections of the book. I think I can give the following two quotes and two lists and remain within fair use; especially because I highly recommend you read the book yourself!

Three favorite quotes:

1. "We don't have an environmental crisis; we have an overconsumption crisis." (page 260)


2. The underlying problem is a disease of ideology. (p. 50) [not sure of the exact words, and I can't check because I returned the book to the library]


3. "If we disbelieve the dominant framing story and instead believe Jesus’ good news of the kingdom of God, we will suddenly find ourselves making new personal decisions – not because we have to, as a duty, but because we want to." (p. 297)

The Theocapitalist Religion (p. 190)
"Theocapitalism" does for its adherents what any religion does [quoting Tom Beaudoin]:

1. gives an identity
2. helps one belong to a community
3. develops trust
4. allows one to experience ecstasy
5. communicates transcendence
6. provides conversion to a new way of life
7. promises rest for the heart

Four Spiritual Laws of Theocapitalism:

1. Law of Progress through Rapid Growth
2. Law of Serenity through Possession and Consumption
3. Law of Salvation through Competition Alone*
4. Freedom to Prosper through Unaccountable Corporations

* including people who don’t accept Darwinian evolution in nature, but who are fervid believers in social Darwinism!

I have more material already typed up -- including the response of Jesus to the rules of theocapitalism -- and will post that when I can.