Examination of Fair Trade and a Christian Economic Vision
May 8th, 2009
By Craig Moore
The theme of my post will be an examination of alternative economic strategies such as fair trade that attempt to be more consistent with a Christian economic vision. When referring to specific examples of fair trade, I will focus specifically on the fair trade coffee industry as it has received a large amount of attention in the media and in Christian churches and because it has garnered the largest amount of support of any organized, voluntary fair trade industry. My thesis is that while fair trade meets many of its objectives as outlined by both its cultural, religious and economic advocates, it does not meet all of them and its costs, according to my understanding, do not make it consistent with a Christian economic vision as articulated by Scripture or Christian ethics. Furthermore, if any do place value judgments upon the results of the objectives as I have outlined and come to the conclusion that fair trade is worthwhile, they must not ignore the costs of practice and aim to meet the its deficiencies.
Billions and Billons Served: The Eucharist and “Fast Food” Culture
May 8th, 2009
by Mandy Sayers
It’s 12:35 p.m. on a Wednesday at a busy strip mall in a Washington D.C. suburb. The line at the drive-thru stretches around the corner and nearly out into the main road. Inside, things are just as crowded. There is one cashier behind the counter to serve the long line of customers. Further back in the food prep area, there is a sense of movement, commotion over grills and at stations as lettuce meets bun in assembly line fashion. Suddenly, from the back of the line, there is a voice, saying, “Having only one line open at lunchtime is pretty stupid.” He wears a business suit and is adjusting expensive sunglasses. “Those people over there are sleeping.” He gestures toward the two other uniformed workers in the corner, at a table. “We’re on break,” they reply in unison. No one makes eye contact with the exasperated man. “You don’t even care, do you? You don’t even care about me.” He leaves his Filet O’Fish Meal, #11 on the neon menu above his head, on the corner of the counter and storms out into the crowded parking lot. Read more…
Upcoming Sermon about Radical Servanthood
April 14th, 2009
I will be giving the Sermon and running the service at tomorrow’s Chapel Service at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington DC. It starts at 6:30. If you are in the area, you should come out. For those of you who can’t make it, i’m putting up a rough draft of the sermon for comments. There are few things to take into consideration. First, it is a rough draft. A lot could still change before tomorrow night. Second, I’m intermingling a song with the sermon in a method I have blatantly Stolen from Rev. Howard Hanger of The Jubilee Community in Asheville, NC. For my money, he is the greatest minister working today. You can learn more about the Jubilee Community and hear the service each week by clicking this link. I’m using the song “Hey Jude” by The Beatles. Cheezy but awesome. Take a read and let me know what you think, or better yet show up tomorrow and hear it in person. Read more…
Scripture Lesson: Pious Bumper Stickers are for Idiots
March 13th, 2009
A few weeks ago I saw a car with an amazing bumper sticker parked on U Street in Washington DC. The car was a BMW 645Ci with this bumper sticker:
That takes balls.
This inspired me to break out the ole Bible and do a little reading. The Phrase “treasure in heaven” is used a few times in the bible. Lets take a look at them:
Required reading for anyone even mildly interested in Jesus.
March 12th, 2009
As a seminary student I spend a great percentage of my time reading about theology and Biblical studies. Most of my friends have little to no interest in the Bible at best, or consider the Christian church a festering sore that threatens to destroy humanity at worst. It is hard to improve on their impressions by offering examples of from contemporary American Christianity. The most vocal members of the movement are standing in solidarity to infringe on the rights of others, and those who’s beliefs allow for God’s love to extend to all God’s creatures are mostly satisfied to celebrate their faith by attending church on Sunday and voting Democrat whenever possible. In America today liberal Christianity is a quiet, if not silent voice. It seems that most deeds done in the name of God are done to censor my TV, give gays a hard time or bless a sporting event. Well, before you throw away Christianity altogether take a look at this.
The Kairos Document was written in 1985 by South African Christians who opposed apartheid. The first line is “CHALLENGE TO THE CHURCH” and still stands as a challenge today. There is no more powerful or inspiring work by Christians written in the last thirty years than this. If you have even a passing interest in Religion, do yourself a favor and read this classic.