MEC: Theocapitalism

We now jump several chapters ahead in Everything Must Change to Part 6 of the book on “The Prosperity System.” Up to this point in the book, there have been some polemic passages, many of which I found distasteful. This section of the book spins into a whole new level.

McLaren introduces his notion of theocapitalism, a term coined by Catholic Theologian Tom Beaudoin. McLaren explains that our prosperity system functions like a religion or perhaps a religious cult. Drawing on Beaudoin, he identifies seven ways “consumer media capitalism” functions for us as a religion:

1. It gives us identity, helping us find or create our true selves. …

2. It helps us belong to a community of kindred spirits. …

3. It develops trust by making and keeping advertising promises, and thus reduces our anxiety about making choices …

4. It helps us experience ecstasy …

5. It communicates transcendence through sacred images and symbols …

6. It promises us conversion to new life if we try their product and join their brand “family.”

7. Ultimately, theocapitalism promises rest from the restless heart. (190-191)

In other words, theocapitalism is capitalism functioning as an idol. And this should surprise us? In Deuteronomy 8:17-18 God warns:

17 Do not say to yourself, "My power and the might of my own hand have gotten me this wealth ." 18 But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth , so that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your ancestors, as he is doing today.

Self-aggrandizement, greed, and idolatry related to possessions are the most persistent themes of the Bible. All of these existed before capitalism. Capitalism is by far the most effective means of widespread wealth creation in the history of the world. Does this make capitalism more wrong than how prosperity was earned in Ancient Israel? Isn’t the problem the spiritual condition of the recipients of the wealth and their response to it?

McLaren lays out for us the four spiritual laws of theocapitalism.

1. The Law of Progress Through Rapid Growth: “I believe in one god: Progress, maker of all that is, through rapid growth.”

2. The Law of Serenity Through Possession and Consumption: I believe in happiness through owning and using more.

3. The Law of Salvation Through Competition Alone: By win-lose competition alone you have been saved.

“…Even  religious fundamentalists who reject Darwin in biology typically celebrate an economic or social Darwinism, which reveres inequality in order to reward the fittest – the most industrious, the hardest workers, the most task-oriented (as opposed to people-oriented). The poor, this law states, should and must be poor because they are unfit (individually or as a group); the rich, even though they concentrate great wealth “in the hands of a few,” should and must be rich because they are the fittest competitors. To violate this law would be to work against the very structure of the universe, and would run counter to the will of God and his “gospel of wealth.”

4. The Law of Freedom to Prosper Through Unaccountable Corporations: I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic economy, and in the communion of unaccountable corporations. (194-195)

Frankly, I see this as a caricature of modern economies. Folks sympathetic to McLaren’s presentation point out that he is talking about theocaptialism, not capitalism. I don’t agree. Why? I’ll explain in my next post.

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Comments

[Peter]

"Frankly, I see this as a caricature of modern economies."

From the outside looking it seems like McLaren has shifted from a calm sifting of facts to espousing an ideology. I find that sad.

[Michael W. Kruse]

The book is 300 pages and I'm only selecting certain passages. He gives some qualification to some statements he makes but I do experience the book as overly ideological. To me, there is a pattern of creating caricatures and then setting up Emerging Christianity as the salvation.

[RonMcK]

Trees can be made into idols.
Perhaps we should start a campaign to get rid of all trees.

[Tshwarelo eseng Mogakane]

"I became poor so you can become rich," Jesus Christ.

"Whatsoever you want, ask in my name, and it shall be given unto thee," Jesus Christ.

Christ is the power of God for those on earth. God gives us the Christ to make wealth, to attain health and to expand in every way.

[Michael W. Kruse]

Ron

Good point! :)

Tshwarelo

I think it is important to keep these scriptures in context. 2 Cor 8:8-9

"8 I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. …"

Poor Christians from Macedonia with were giving generously to an offering for those in need. Paul was testing the much wealthier folks at Corinth to see if they would be as generous. This was not a promise of material gain but rather a call to live as Christ did and be willing to give up gain for the sake of others.

Gof does give us what we ask but it is within the context of a relationship to God where we have been transformed into desiring the things God desires. Desiring the things of God can lead to great hardship and material deprivation. Did Jesus become materially wealthy?

I think too many Westerners and missionaries have falsely communicated that other folks should be content to just live in subsistence poverty and be content with the lot God has given them, instead of holistically seeking redemption in terms of just and economically productive communities. But I think there is a real danger in believing that God’s mission on earth was simply to make us rich in material goods.