The challenge facing Christianity today is not a lack of motivation or resources, but a failure of imagination.A growing number of people are distu...
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reviews
Sep 18, 2010
Kathy
rated it: 
This book has kept me thinking for weeks, and I have shared its basic tenets with friends, sparking some lively discussions.
It is the first book I have read dealing with the issue of the "consumer" mentality of post-modern America and how it has infiltrated our churches. Do you remember the old Burger King T.V. commercial that jingled about having your hamburger "your way?" Many churches cater to the mentality that we are consumers, and "church" is someth More...
It is the first book I have read dealing with the issue of the "consumer" mentality of post-modern America and how it has infiltrated our churches. Do you remember the old Burger King T.V. commercial that jingled about having your hamburger "your way?" Many churches cater to the mentality that we are consumers, and "church" is someth More...
Nov 18, 2009
Matt
rated it: 
I just finished Skye Jethani's book The Divine Commodity and found it to be both fresh and convicting in diagnosing much of the state of contemporary Christianity. One of the main characters in his book is the Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh. Jethani does an excellent job telling the story of the modern church through the works and life van Gogh. Here are a few excerpts from the book that really struck me.
On the church's idolatrous focus of creating a consumer experience:
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On the church's idolatrous focus of creating a consumer experience:
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Sep 20, 2009
Jon
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"The challenge facing Christianity today is not a lack of motivation or resources, but a failure of imagination." Author Jethani kicks off this interesting book with the idea that imagination is often a key element lacking from the current church-led Christian experience. In contrast to the way churches tend to lean on knowledge, information and skills to develop disciples, Jesus leaned more heavily on stories, imagery and imagination. Parables were his preferred medium, often weaving
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May 28, 2009
Jason
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Using his words, "My secret is that I want to be relevant and popular. I want my desires fulfilled and pain minimized. I want a manageable relationship with an institution rather than messy relationships with real people. I want to be transformed into the image of Christ by showing up at entertaining events rather than throguh the hard work of discipline. I want to wear my faith on my sleeve and not look at the darkness in my heart. And above all, I want a controllable god. I want a d
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Jun 17, 2010
Joe
rated it: 
When I started reading this book, I was convinced that I'd love every word, however, by the time it was finished, I found myself largely unsatisfied with the author's conclusions.
On the positive, the book itself is a very enjoyable read. Jethani does a beautiful job blending together stories alongside the art and life of Vincent van Gogh. He also does an excellent job identifying the problem of our consumer culture and the damage that it's done to individual Christians as well as popul More...
On the positive, the book itself is a very enjoyable read. Jethani does a beautiful job blending together stories alongside the art and life of Vincent van Gogh. He also does an excellent job identifying the problem of our consumer culture and the damage that it's done to individual Christians as well as popul More...
Apr 14, 2011
Paul
rated it:
I should probably actually note how I rate books here because though I only rated this *** I really enjoyed it for me my ratings are:
* Didn't finish and wouldn't recommend (probably will never see this here)
** Finished and didn't enjoy, would not recommend
*** Finished and enjoyed mostly, would probably recommend to others with certain reservations
**** Finished and highly enjoyed, would recommend with no reservations
***** Finished, enjoyed, would recommend and will l More...
* Didn't finish and wouldn't recommend (probably will never see this here)
** Finished and didn't enjoy, would not recommend
*** Finished and enjoyed mostly, would probably recommend to others with certain reservations
**** Finished and highly enjoyed, would recommend with no reservations
***** Finished, enjoyed, would recommend and will l More...
Jun 09, 2010
Seth
rated it:
While at points his book felt a bit rigid, Jethani's humble appraisal of his own struggle against being a part of the problem while still seeking a solution, and the very interesting and parallel struggle of van Gogh, gained my full attention.
What solves the problem of the "commodified" church culture? Jethani provides multiple examples of individuals, including Christ, whose lives are "counter-commodity" and whose examples serve to remind me that ministry is life-on-l More...
What solves the problem of the "commodified" church culture? Jethani provides multiple examples of individuals, including Christ, whose lives are "counter-commodity" and whose examples serve to remind me that ministry is life-on-l More...
May 09, 2009
Dave
rated it:
I recommend the book. I'll give it one more star than John Wilson gave it in his Book Notes column for Christianity Today. My feeling on it is that it is either a great introduction to the problems of "consumer Christianity" (Jethani's term) or an excellent refresher with some new insights. Especially helpful is that Jethan has been so close to issues of consumer Christianity, as a pastor and as managing editor of Leadership Journal. If you have at all an interest in the health of evan
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Jul 30, 2010
Tracy
rated it: 
This book is really less about Faith and more about the history of Vincent VanGoh. The first two or three chapters does connect with the theme of faith beyond consumer christianity, after that it just became repetitive and boring. It was a very interesting read and did force me to stop and think several times about the message intended. I had to put this book down several times and walk away just to absorb the message. I learned a lot about Vincent VanGoh and his life, and can even see the conne
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Dec 26, 2009
Trevor
rated it:
An interesting, enjoyable blend of biography (of Vincent van Gogh) and critique (of contemporary church strategies). Jethani's observation of consumerism's grip on the church is accurate (bigger = better, branding the church, felt needs over missional service, customization versus community, etc), but his proposed remedies (silence, prayer, fasting, love, hospitality, and friendship) - though good and needed in their own right - don't seem to match the magnitude of the problem.
If you More...
If you More...
Jun 01, 2009
I read this for work and found it pleasurable--it was thought-provoking, although he shied away from drawing any real conclusions, apart from the need to examine his own heart (rather than others'). He wove in a lot of info about Van Gogh, which I appreciated.
Jun 23, 2010
The Divine Commodity: Discovering a Faith Beyond Consumer Christianity by Skye Jethani (2009)
Oct 18, 2011
Matt
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The author gets a little dramatic in the epilogue, but this is well-researched, compelling reading for anyone struggling with institutional church. He writes it on a personal level-how the gospel of Christ relates to the individual-rather than inspiring grandiose measures. He focuses on the fact that more than another Christian product, we need actual people crazy enough to deny self and obey Christ. For that reason I can safely recommend it to anyone.
Dec 20, 2009
Mark
rated it:
Great book. Made for pretty convicting reading. The author makes a convincing case that the US Church is influenced more by consumerism (which is materialism on steroids) than by a biblical worldview.
Aug 19, 2011
Adam
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Full review at http://bookwi.se/the-divine-commodity-di...
Short review: This is a book to argue with. There is something that will offend just about every Christian, but a lot of really good points. Obviously I don't agree with all the conclusions, but I think it is a great book for wrestling through how we as Christians interact in culture.
Short review: This is a book to argue with. There is something that will offend just about every Christian, but a lot of really good points. Obviously I don't agree with all the conclusions, but I think it is a great book for wrestling through how we as Christians interact in culture.
Apr 24, 2011
Cynthia
rated it:
First book of Skye Jethani that I ever read. It's out of my custom actually to read book from other author that I barely know..but the premise is good, and the book is well-written, proof of something that is well thought, carved into words carefully and convey its message sharply.
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