Homebrewed Christianity Money and Possessions with Walter Brueggemann
May 30, 2017
In this engaging discussion, renowned theologian Walter Brueggemann dives into his latest book, exploring the biblical narratives around money and possessions. He contrasts exploitative economies with covenantal communities, signaling a resistance to consumerism in America. The conversation includes a fresh look at the Ten Commandments, the role of the church in economic justice, and critiques of contemporary culture. Brueggemann’s insights challenge listeners to rethink their relationship with wealth while advocating for a more just society.
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Commodity vs Covenant Economy
- Scripture consistently contrasts a predatory economy with a covenantal alternative rooted in Exodus.
- The Kingdom of God represents resistance to extractive economic systems like Pharaoh's kingdom.
Wealth Anxiety in Jesus's Teaching
- Jesus's teaching on not being anxious connects directly to wealth anxiety.
- The rich man's story highlights the danger of greed and the futility of anxiety driven by wealth.
Totalism's Grip on Society
- Totalism is an all-encompassing ideology dominating culture and economics, like consumer capitalism.
- Jesus resisted such totalism in the Roman Empire, marking Christian resistance to oppressive power.