Australian theologian and speaker Mark Sayers comes on strong about the effects of Western consumerism in his book and DVD, The Trouble With Paris. Citing the conscious and unconscious shifts popular culture has on everyone, Sayers ponders (with specific emphasis to young adults) how Christians can develop a meaningful and relevant faith in such times.
Both mediums offer the same content in different forms, with the DVD formatted for a four-week interactive group study and the book intended as a personal read. The majority of the material is spent intelligently deconstructing the way things are, while the last section offers some tangible suggestions for living differently. By the time the reader gets to this portion they are likely ready for a solution, and the author uses much Scripture to make his points.
Thankfully, the alternative Sayers offers is more than another “hyperreality” promise of prosperity. While he rightly states that the way of life Jesus offers “leads to satisfaction, not just more wanting,” he also adds that “we are not immune from bad things happening” and must still embrace a “shalom vision” in such times. Given the raw journey many are on with God, this tension of perspective is refreshing.
