Harvard theologian Harvey Cox wrote in the Atlantic Monthly in March of 1999 that in America we now see “The Market as God.” Cox wrote: “The Market is not only around us but inside of us, informing our senses and our feelings. There seems to be nowhere left to flee from its untiring quest. Like the Hound of Heaven, it pursues us home from the mall and into the nursery and the bedroom.”
But the reality is that idolatry always has consequences. Our love affair with debt, irresponsible home buying and “we can have it all right now” is literally destroying our society. Of course, we want to fix the blame on one group, or another. People on the left blame the economics of Ronald Reagan and his followers. People on the right blame Congress and the Fannie and Freddie fiasco. But quite frankly, before we cast the blame on others, we need to examine ourselves.
We are all to blame in general, some of us more particularly than others. Investors, home owners, borrowers, lenders, journalists, elected officials, economists, regulators, credit rating agencies and even some Christian ministries are all responsible in some way. The tragedy is that we all suffer, to varying degrees, because we are all in this together, and we failed to listen to the truth about our idolatrous addiction to materialism as a nation.
When idols fall, they usually fall hard. Their fall is usually accompanied with a great deal of sorrow. But with the fall of the idol comes a new day – hopefully, it will be a new day in which we rebuild upon the “rock,” rather than upon the “sand” of seeking fulfillment through the things which we possess.
Don Walker is a teacher, counselor, and writer living in the Kansas City area.To contact Don please email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
What do you think? Comment below and start the conversation by engaging.
Joel Petersen
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Hello ! Do societies see " the light " and change or does it take a collapse and then a rebuild ? What does the Word say? What does history say ? I see the training of the " rebuild generation " as a little anemic today. What do you think ? |
Joel Petersen
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Hi , OK, how about this. For those of you trying to " save " the system, vote republican and we can go back to the Bushies, Reagan, Isenhower [sp?] days and continue on with global domination etc. Or we can vote democrat and hasten the collapse of this nation so we [ or somebody ] will rebuild. Are we ready with a trained generation to rebuild in the ways of the Lord. Hell No ! So what do you suggest we do about this predicament ? |
Patrick Franklin
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In money we trust. Don, Thank you for your stinging reality check. Joel, I understand your frustration brother and I too, am seeking wise counsel. If you will allow me to offer my 2 cents worth-- I think we have to throw out the cute little letters after the candidates names. We seek the most Godly and vote our conscience, the result is up to God. As to what the word says I'll refer you to 2Chr7:14 " If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Tall order / Awesome promise! Be of good courage! There are literally thousands of families that the Lord is leading, homeschooling the next generation in the admonition of the Lord, following the precepts outlined in Duet 6:6-9. I don't like the looks of things in our nation or the world for that matter either but greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world! So take Josh 1:9 to heart. |
