Skye Jethani’s new book Divine Commodity explores how consumerism has impacted our understanding of church, worship, mission, community, and God. He also offers insights into how we can overcome the influence of “Consumer Christianity” and awaken our imaginations through practicing private and corporate spiritual disciplines.

In keeping with that theme, Out of Ur is sponsoring a contest to see whether Urbanites can spot Consumer Christianity when they see it.

You can read a sample of the book here!!

See the sidebar for a short interview with Skye about consumerism and the North American church.  (The sidebar is over there. ) → → → →

So, here is my definition for the contest.  I have already purchased the book and am waiting for it to be delivered from Amazon.  So, if I win I can pass the book on to someone else – maybe one of you!!

[stextbox id="info" caption="My Definition"]“The propagation of the idea that spiritual wellness can be purchased with goods, seminars, conferences, or even Bibles.  Consider the following two statistics: (1)The average household in America owns four Bibles; and, (2) Bible publishers sell 25 million Bibles per year to people who already have one!”[/stextbox]

In “Something Beautiful”, Sinead O’ Connor sings:

Oh I wanna make something
So lovely for you
‘Cus I promised that’s what I’d do for you
With the bible I stole
I know you forgave my soul
Because such was my need on a chronic Christmas Eve
And I think we’re agreed that it should have been free
And you sang to me

So, what do you think?  I know that many of you will have better definitions of consumer Christianity that I, so why don’t you enter the contest as well?  And, if you feel free, let us know what your definition is!