Confession of Christ in the Culture of Consumerism

The church must give an account of its faith in the one true Word, Jesus Christ, in each generation, over against the "truths" that the world would put on it. We believe that the greatest danger facing the church today is its temptation to capitulate to the voice and forces of consumerism, as see in rampant advertising, the proliferation of brands, the exaltation of celebrities, and the unswerving pursuit of wealth.

Therefore, we confess the following truths:

1. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. (Col. 1:18)

   Jesus Christ is the lord of the world and head of the church and is its only source of life and hope and authority. He is the one Word, as attested in the Scriptures by the Holy Spirit, which we have to hear and obey in life and in death.

   We reject the false doctrine that his dominion and direction do not extend over the entire financial life of his disciples.

2. hotel rooms SzegedThen Jesus said to them all, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)

   The way of Jesus is the way of the cross. There is one lifestyle for those who would follow him, the way of love, sacrifice, and self-giving. To be called and chosen for life in him is to be a part of his covenant community, which means to be chosen for a life marked by witness and service to God and his creatures.

   We reject the false doctrine that every need that a person has must be fulfilled and that personal self-fulfillment is the goal of human life.

3. The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they ridiculed Jesus. So he said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others; but God knows your hearts; for what is prized by human beings is an abomination in the sight of God." (Luke 16:15)

   Jesus Christ, in his obedient life, which was fully pleasing to his Father, and in his death for which he bore the judgment upon all sin, stands against all efforts of humans to justify themselves in the sight of God or one another, as he himself is our only justification.

   We reject the false teaching, that being accepted by other people is more important than being accepted by God.

4. Since we are God's offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. (Acts 17:29)

   Jesus Christ is the one revelation and the true image of the triune God. He unveils and condemns all human efforts, ideas and artifacts as idols when they point away from the one true God, revealed on the cross.

   Alojamiento en hotel barato HvolsvollurWe reject the false teaching, that brands, logos, and images of consumer culture convey the qualities worthy of devotion and adoration.

5. The Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of this stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)

   Each of God's creatures bears the imprint of the divine image, whose perfection is found in Christ alone.

   We reject the false teaching that celebrities represent the life to be aspired to and that the worthy of the creature is found in their outward appearance. Moreover, we reject that keeping up with the cycles of fashion is as important for the church than seeking the timing and action of the Holy Spirit.

6. For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body. (1 Cor. 6:20)

   hotels in BledAs Jesus Christ gave his life in the supreme act of grace, God freed us from our bondage and bought us back that we might serve him and him alone.

   We reject the false teaching that we can and should be indebted to support our consuming habits. We have a debt to God that must be honored before any other debts.

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