Church in the Land of Desire
Eastern Orthodox Encounter with North American Consumer Culture
- Ethics, Culture & Social Issues
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Published: 2021
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Publisher's Description
According to William Leach, religious communities that have come to North America have not been able to withstand the damaging influence of its consumer-oriented society which has subverted ecclesial customs, values, and practices. Rather than resisting, most of these groups have sought to integrate Christianity into the new culture. By doing so, they run the risk of marginalizing the church and fundamentally altering its teachings and practice. Of course, the real danger does not reside in the occasional use of isolated elements of our culture, the unreflected application of any technology available, the replacement of traditional ecclesial practices with the techniques of the business world, or even the substitution of ecclesial foundations of authority. Rather, danger lies in a set of fundamental principles that together define a basic orientation which is naturally and almost mindlessly attracted to these secular devices, sees no harm in them, justifies and amplifies their effects, and effectively supplants the mind of Christ which is supposed to govern the church. This study analyzes and documents the effects of that mindset and calls us back to the biblical and traditional alternatives that alone can bring healing and recovery to the church.
Endorsements (3)
“Secularism, materialism, individualism, narcissism, relativism, the so-called ‘culture wars,’ the loss of a sense of community, etc.—they all contribute to the increased challenges to the Orthodox Church in today’s modern North American society. How do we define these threats, face them, and ultimately place them into a proper perspective? Fr. Edward Rommen soberly and scholarly addresses these while pointing to the critical foundations of the Orthodox Church as a clarion call for a spiritual renewal individually and within the Church. These threats are not new but are magnified in today’s divisive world. His prophetic voice is critical for all who are seriously trying to maintain their own spiritual life amidst the confusion while still representing the Orthodox Church to a thirsty world.”
“American Society is experiencing a rise in so-called Nones and Dones. A multitude of inquirers and seekers are looking for ‘something’ and often not knowing what that ‘something’ is. Edward Rommen is offering a deep and reflective introduction to a Christian tradition still largely unknown to Americans. In these pages the searching souls may well find the Pearl of Great Price.”
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