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Just Living: Faith and Community in an Age of Consumerism
Globalisation and consumerism affect every area of our lives. But it's not just about shopping; these powerful forces shape our personal lives, how we relate to one another, how we view the world - and they are having a seriously detrimental impact both on the lives of the global poor, and on the health of the planet itself.
Every Christian in every generation down through the history of the church has had to work out what it means to be a follower of Jesus in their particular culture; for us in the twenty-first century, we must think about discipleship in a globalised, consumerist context. Environmentalist and theologian Ruth Valerio examines these issues in a book that is intellectually rigorous yet practical, and as inspiring as it is challenging.
Every Christian in every generation down through the history of the church has had to work out what it means to be a follower of Jesus in their particular culture; for us in the twenty-first century, we must think about discipleship in a globalised, consumerist context. Environmentalist and theologian Ruth Valerio examines these issues in a book that is intellectually rigorous yet practical, and as inspiring as it is challenging.
- GenresChristianNonfiction
336 pages, Paperback
Published February 4, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 17, 2018
Not sure the author has entirely decided who her audience is. The first half was heavy going , lots of complex theological ideas essentially taken from her PHD thesis.
The second half had lots of good practical ideas but i think she may have alienated some of her readers by then.
The second half had lots of good practical ideas but i think she may have alienated some of her readers by then.
March 14, 2021
This book took me about 6 months to read as I really struggled to get through the theologically heavy parts. Ruth is a great writer but I think this book may be a bit out of my league and I didn’t quite take in or understand everything that she spoke about. However, the third section of the book was fab and I really valued the tips she gave about living simply and the stories she would tell about her own experiences in this.
May 13, 2019
Great book although quite intense in some parts. It was very challenging about what our role as Christian's should be within the context of our consumerist society.
November 30, 2020
Ruth is great and has some really useful stuff to say. I just happened to find this book unbelievably dense and boring. Such a shame as I genuinely think Ruth has so much wisdom and insight. I found the end of the book was more compelling than the first bit so it did redeem itself slightly. I just needed more practical examples and less Thomas Aquinas.
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March 21, 2019This was a useful perspective about the intersection of faith and consumerism. It's shaped and refined how I think about what I consume. I found the earlier sections a bit more relevant for me since many of the examples in the second half of the book were more specific to the UK.
March 3, 2019
I've wanted to read a Christian-based book about the environmental challenges our world is facing for a while now. This one spends two thirds of the book explaining the ideas and theology of the issues behind the challenges - for example globalisation. This section is very academic, especially when it gets into the realms of discussing early church fathers. That was fine with me but it's worth bearing in mind if you're expecting a brief overview of these things followed by practicality, but it's important to Valerio that we understand the principle of the balance between retreat and engagement.
I was hoping for a bit more of an exploration of Bible passages which make clear our mandate to steward the earth well, but there was definitely more emphasis on later theology.
The seven short practical chapters at the end give a broad idea of different ways we can and should engage with our world. I found this helpful and refreshing after a long time looking at 'zero waste' sources which focus on buying bamboo mugs and composting. Valerio's suggestions are much more holistic and also hopeful. Her comment to remember that we're not the saviour of the world but just need to do what we can was extremely helpful.
I was hoping for a bit more of an exploration of Bible passages which make clear our mandate to steward the earth well, but there was definitely more emphasis on later theology.
The seven short practical chapters at the end give a broad idea of different ways we can and should engage with our world. I found this helpful and refreshing after a long time looking at 'zero waste' sources which focus on buying bamboo mugs and composting. Valerio's suggestions are much more holistic and also hopeful. Her comment to remember that we're not the saviour of the world but just need to do what we can was extremely helpful.
May 10, 2023
I’ve never read a book quite like this - and I don’t think I’d like to again. This book is partially a copy and pasted theological thesis and partially a guide to living a simple life but it’s choppy format, and prescriptions are exhausting.
Here’s some highlights:
The idea that Christians should be careful consumers and not place our identity in the things on this earth.
The idea that we are to have periods of rest and retreat as well as engagement
Some thoughtful examination of Aquina’s
Here’s the not so good:
Repeatedly being told we can skip the chapter on Aquinas and Aristotle as if we aren’t capable of understanding.
Vague insults hurled at other Christian authors writing about simplicity - as well as many other points she sites her research etc in odd ways.
Tangents about things like hillsong lyrics and what Ruth considers “therapeutic Christianity”
Ruth clearly has some personal gripes about neighbors and her HOA she randomly discusses - she encourages this type of engagement but it seems she’s brought a lot of quarrels close to home.
Calling people who eat meat that is processed in factory farms “non Christian”
Overall, Ruth is often condescending and I took away a few nuggets (no pun intended) but mostly found her book incompatible with my marriage, and life.
Here’s some highlights:
The idea that Christians should be careful consumers and not place our identity in the things on this earth.
The idea that we are to have periods of rest and retreat as well as engagement
Some thoughtful examination of Aquina’s
Here’s the not so good:
Repeatedly being told we can skip the chapter on Aquinas and Aristotle as if we aren’t capable of understanding.
Vague insults hurled at other Christian authors writing about simplicity - as well as many other points she sites her research etc in odd ways.
Tangents about things like hillsong lyrics and what Ruth considers “therapeutic Christianity”
Ruth clearly has some personal gripes about neighbors and her HOA she randomly discusses - she encourages this type of engagement but it seems she’s brought a lot of quarrels close to home.
Calling people who eat meat that is processed in factory farms “non Christian”
Overall, Ruth is often condescending and I took away a few nuggets (no pun intended) but mostly found her book incompatible with my marriage, and life.
July 19, 2019
Once again I found Ruth Valerio's thinking and writing both helpful and challenging.
It was illuminating to look at globalisation and consumerism and to explore the tension between, and the necessity to express, both retreat and engagement.
The section looking at Aristotle and Aquinas was interesting for again I was persuaded of the importance of rational thinking but also the ultimate the sterility of it without the divine dimension. Aquinas brought the dimension of revelation for otherwise it remains internally consistent, appropriately rigorous but not transformative.
The other challenge is to work both on the personal and the 'political' level. Simplicity in one's personal life choices can be indulgent and even narcissistic with the harder edge of standing for change at a non-individual level.
Part 3 was practical and I will be returning repeatedly to the areas identified - especially global concern, ecological concern, christian approach to wealth, ethical consumerism, activism and time.
I unreservedly recommend this book.
It was illuminating to look at globalisation and consumerism and to explore the tension between, and the necessity to express, both retreat and engagement.
The section looking at Aristotle and Aquinas was interesting for again I was persuaded of the importance of rational thinking but also the ultimate the sterility of it without the divine dimension. Aquinas brought the dimension of revelation for otherwise it remains internally consistent, appropriately rigorous but not transformative.
The other challenge is to work both on the personal and the 'political' level. Simplicity in one's personal life choices can be indulgent and even narcissistic with the harder edge of standing for change at a non-individual level.
Part 3 was practical and I will be returning repeatedly to the areas identified - especially global concern, ecological concern, christian approach to wealth, ethical consumerism, activism and time.
I unreservedly recommend this book.
March 18, 2019
A lot of this book resonated with me. It took me quite a while to read, though, as I usually want something fictional to relax with at the end of the day. But I should say that despite being quite easy to read, because it is full of personal stories, hints and wry comments, it is also academically fulfilling, particularly for me who had no prior knowledge of Aquinas. It has made me want to try to do a bit more at home, and at work; and that can only be a good thing surely! A book to make us review what it means to be trying to live by faith in the modern world.
July 31, 2020
How to live in an age of consumerism?
If you are looking for more to life and are starting to realize that consuming is not providing what you thought it might, then you will be in for a treat to read Just Living: Faith and Community in a Age of Consumerism ! It is a blend of being easy to read and understand while being well researched, like a PhD thesis. I already found a book and read it and look forward to reading others referenced in her book. The author is humble but makes me even more impressed by the quality of A Rocha of which she is a member. Blessings!
If you are looking for more to life and are starting to realize that consuming is not providing what you thought it might, then you will be in for a treat to read Just Living: Faith and Community in a Age of Consumerism ! It is a blend of being easy to read and understand while being well researched, like a PhD thesis. I already found a book and read it and look forward to reading others referenced in her book. The author is humble but makes me even more impressed by the quality of A Rocha of which she is a member. Blessings!
June 5, 2019
Just Living is a tough book that challenges our mindset on living contentedly and responsibly in an age of consumerism. Took time to read and praying that slowly more of us as individuals and the church at large can be aware and more responsible in our spending and care for what God has entrusted to us.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews