Brand Jesus: Christianity in a Consumerist Age

by Tyler Wigg Stevenson

Overview

In this provocative book, the author argues that American Christianity, especially evangelicalism, has been corrupted by the dominance of consumerism in modern life. The church's mostly uncritical adoption of this secular condition has resulted in an idolatrous morphing of the message of Christ into just another brand. With Brand Jesus, Wigg Stevenson names the growing concern felt by many Christians at the commodification of their faith.

Using Paul's letter to the Romans as a starting point, Wigg Stevenson 'reads' the letter to today's church, speaking to our consumerist situation through the parallels with Paul's Rome. Though rooted unapologetically in a love for the church, Brand Jesus does not shy away from provocative claims about the melding of Christian faith and consumer ideals; the rise of market-driven theology; the blurring boundaries between the law and religion; and other topics. Wigg Stevenson describes the current situation of both church and society and issues a challenge to it: When faith is a product for consumption, how can the church be faithful to Christ as living Lord, instead of as Brand Jesus?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781596270497
Publisher:	Church Publishing, Incorporated
Publication date:	05/01/2007
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Tyler Wigg Stevenson is a preacher and writer. He graduated from Swarthmore College and received his M.Div. summa cum laude from Yale Divinity School. Tyler served in the chapel at Yale and as Associate Minister at Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church in Hamden, CT, where he was licensed and ordained. He also spent a year in London, England, as Study Assistant to the Rev. Dr. John Stott. Since 2001 he has served on the Board of Directors of the Global Security Institute, an organization he helped establish under the late U.S. Senator Alan Cranston. Tyler currently lives in Nashville with his wife, where he preaches regularly.