1. Understanding Our Current Time : Globalisation, Postmodernity, and Consumerism Michael W. Goheen Acts 29 Regional Conference San Diego, March 2008

2. What time is it? Overview Modern story for two centuries: Faith in science and technology to enable us to progress toward a better world Modern story for two centuries: Faith in science and technology to enable us to progress toward a better world Today: Three tectonic plates: Today: Three tectonic plates: Globalization: Global spread of modern (liberal) story around worldGlobalization: Global spread of modern (liberal) story around world Postmodernity: Challenge to the modern (liberal) story in WestPostmodernity: Challenge to the modern (liberal) story in West Consumerism: The heart of our culture?Consumerism: The heart of our culture?

3. First Tectonic Plate Globalisation: Global spread of modern, liberal, humanist story

4. 20 th Century Background 20th Century: BipolarTwo forms of Enlightenment Humanism (US, USSR) 20th Century: BipolarTwo forms of Enlightenment Humanism (US, USSR)

5. 20 th Century Background 20th Century: BipolarTwo forms of Enlightenment Humanism (US, USSR) 20th Century: BipolarTwo forms of Enlightenment Humanism (US, USSR) Fall of Communism (1989) Fall of Communism (1989) Global powers today Global powers today Globalisation of liberal modern storyGlobalisation of liberal modern story IslamIslam ChinaChina Third world church and PentecostalismThird world church and Pentecostalism

6. Why is it important to understand globalization? The reality of our world is not the end of grand narratives, but the increasing dominance of the narrative of economic globalization.... This is the new imperialism... (Richard Bauckham) The reality of our world is not the end of grand narratives, but the increasing dominance of the narrative of economic globalization.... This is the new imperialism... (Richard Bauckham) Economic globalization is the greatest challenge that the Christian mission faces (Rene Padilla). Economic globalization is the greatest challenge that the Christian mission faces (Rene Padilla).

7. Importance of Understanding Globalization This moment, at the turn of the millennium, appears to me to be one of the most critical points in human history. Powerful, untruthful, hypnotic ideologies corrupted societies and destroyed millions of people throughout the twentieth century. Yet none of them had the instruments of communication available to it to infiltrate the human mind the way the present ideology of limitless economic and technological expansion can do. (Goudzwaard) This moment, at the turn of the millennium, appears to me to be one of the most critical points in human history. Powerful, untruthful, hypnotic ideologies corrupted societies and destroyed millions of people throughout the twentieth century. Yet none of them had the instruments of communication available to it to infiltrate the human mind the way the present ideology of limitless economic and technological expansion can do. (Goudzwaard)

8. Enlightenment Vision: Seeds of Economic Globalization Progress Progress Paradise images Paradise images Material prosperity Material prosperity Reached by reason Reached by reason Discerning natural laws Discerning natural laws Translated into technology Translated into technology Society reorganized according to reason Society reorganized according to reason Exaggerated place of economics Exaggerated place of economics

9. Classical Economics Leading role Leading role Mechanistic economic lawsanalogy with physics Mechanistic economic lawsanalogy with physics Equilibrium theory in economics is based on a false analogy with physics (Soros).... Analytical and mathematical reason is not content to deal with physics or astronomy; it must extend its operation into [social realm] (Newbigin).... Analytical and mathematical reason is not content to deal with physics or astronomy; it must extend its operation into [social realm] (Newbigin).

10. Classical Economics Leading role Leading role Mechanistic economic laws Mechanistic economic laws Smiths invisible hand Smiths invisible hand Self-interested individuals acting according to self-interest harmony of conflicting interests material prosperity trickle down to prosper poor Self-interested individuals acting according to self-interest harmony of conflicting interests material prosperity trickle down to prosper poor The rich are led by an invisible hand to make nearly the same distribution of the necessaries of life, which would have been made had the earth been divided into equal portions among all its inhabitants; and thus, without intending it, without knowing it, advance the interest of society (Adam Smith). The rich are led by an invisible hand to make nearly the same distribution of the necessaries of life, which would have been made had the earth been divided into equal portions among all its inhabitants; and thus, without intending it, without knowing it, advance the interest of society (Adam Smith).

11. Science of economics The modern science of economics was born. Once again teleology was removed, because economics was no longer part of ethics. It was not concerned with the purpose of human life. It was no longer about the requirements of justice and the dangers of covetousness. It became the science of the working of the market as a self- operating mechanism modelled on the Newtonian universe. The difference was that the fundamental law governing its movements, corresponding to the law of gravitation in Newton, is the law of covetousness assumed as the basic drive of human nature (Newbigin).

12. Classical Economics Leading role Leading role Mechanistic economic laws Mechanistic economic laws Smiths invisible hand Smiths invisible hand Two gambles (leaps of faith) Two gambles (leaps of faith) Happiness gamble: If we have more goods produced by labour we will be happy.Happiness gamble: If we have more goods produced by labour we will be happy. Market gamble: If we let the market be free for the economic self-interest of individuals then it will guide us to a better future for all.Market gamble: If we let the market be free for the economic self-interest of individuals then it will guide us to a better future for all.

13. Autonomy of market or TINA... we must follow the market wherever it leads, because the market will act as our guide to a better future for all. Naturally, for all this to happen, we must permit the market to do its work with as little disruption and political interference as possible (Goudzwaard).... we must follow the market wherever it leads, because the market will act as our guide to a better future for all. Naturally, for all this to happen, we must permit the market to do its work with as little disruption and political interference as possible (Goudzwaard).

14. Norm for economics Economic life... is placed under the divine rule of oikonomiagood stewardship. Economic life is meant to deliver the fruits of human labour in a way that satisfies the needs of the peoples of this earth, and so it presupposes care of trusteeship of everything, including everyone entrusted to our responsibility.

15. Religious Choices of Enlightenment Vision End of human life: Material prosperity End of human life: Material prosperity Relationship of human beings to nature Relationship of human beings to nature Mechanistic understanding of law Mechanistic understanding of law

16. Vision Implemented in Industrial Revolution Science-based technology Science-based technology Division and mechanization of labour Division and mechanization of labour Tremendous economic growth Tremendous economic growth Evolutionary worldview deepened commitment to autonomous market Evolutionary worldview deepened commitment to autonomous market

17. Changes in Capitalism in Late 20 th - 21 st Centuries Less salting influence of gospel; increasing selfishness and covetousness Less salting influence of gospel; increasing selfishness and covetousness Wealth of today vs. need of Smiths day Wealth of today vs. need of Smiths day Economic totalitarianism Economic totalitarianism Technologically manipulated needs vs. existing needs Technologically manipulated needs vs. existing needs Global market Global market

18. Economic Globalization What is it? What is it?

19. Late Modern Story Globalization is a form or method of modernization on a global scale. Globalization is a form or method of modernization on a global scale. Possibly never before has modernity received higher expression than in todays process of globalization. Possibly never before has modernity received higher expression than in todays process of globalization.... the word modern is not neutral; it cannot be divorced from a specific view of life, humanity, the world, and ultimate meaning.... the word modern is not neutral; it cannot be divorced from a specific view of life, humanity, the world, and ultimate meaning. - Bob Goudzwaard - Bob Goudzwaard

20. Economic Globalization What is it? What is it? Trusting global market Trusting global market Unjustly created market Unjustly created market Growing poverty and ecological damage Growing poverty and ecological damage Three comments about global market ideology Three comments about global market ideology

21. Three Comments on Global Market Ideology Free market is good but twisted by natural law theory Free market is good but twisted by natural law theory Market is one part of social fabric but twisted by totalitarian influence Market is one part of social fabric but twisted by totalitarian influence Market is creational but twisted by messianic expectations Market is creational but twisted by messianic expectations

22. Second Tectonic Plate Postmodernity: Challenge to modern, liberal, humanist story

23. Breakdown of Modernity Critical Factors in Dillusionment Environmental destruction Environmental destruction

24. If the whole world lived at the level of North Americans… … the worlds resources would last about ten years

25. Breakdown of Modernity Critical Factors in Dillusionment Environmental destruction Environmental destruction Growing poverty Growing poverty

26. At the beginning of the development decades (1960) the worlds richest 1 billion were 30 x richer than the worlds poorest 1 billion. At the end of the development decades (1990) the worlds richest 1 billion were 60 x richer than the poorest 1 billion

27. Breakdown of Modernity Critical Factors in Dillusionment Environmental destruction Environmental destruction Growing poverty Growing poverty Nuclear threat Nuclear threat Economic problems Economic problems Psychological, social disorder Psychological, social disorder

28. Dont believe modern stories! Simplifying to the extreme, I define postmodern as incredulity toward metanarratives. -J. F.Lyotard

29. Postmodernity: Challenge to (Some Foundational) Modern Humanist Story Challenge to optimism Challenge to optimism

30. Challenge to Optimism Maybe human being are not so good Maybe human being are not so good Maybe we arent moving toward a better world Maybe we arent moving toward a better world

31. Postmodernity: Challenge to Modern Humanist Story Challenge to optimism of story Challenge to optimism of story Challenge to centrality of reason Challenge to centrality of reason

32. Non-rational Dimensions of Humanity Pushed Down and Springing Back Body Body Emotions Emotions Senses Senses Subconscious Subconscious Desire, passion Desire, passion Religious Religious Imagination Imagination Instinct, intuition Instinct, intuition

33. Postmodernity: Challenge to Modern Humanist Story Challenge to optimism Challenge to optimism Challenge to centrality of reason Challenge to centrality of reason Challenge to objectivity of knowledge Challenge to objectivity of knowledge

34. Neutral Reason? Subjective factors affecting knowledge: Social -Tradition -Community -Language -Culture -History -Faith Personal -Feelings -Imagination -Subconscious -Gender -Class -Race

35. Postmodernity: Challenge to Modern Humanist Story Challenge to optimism Challenge to optimism Challenge to centrality of reason Challenge to centrality of reason Challenge to objectivity of knowledge Challenge to objectivity of knowledge Challenge to injustice created by modern story Challenge to injustice created by modern story

36. Injustice created by modern story Toward minorities with different stories (gender, class, sexual preference, ethnic group, religion) Toward minorities with different stories (gender, class, sexual preference, ethnic group, religion)

37. Unforgiveable Sins in a Postmodern Academic Culture Racism Racism Sexism Sexism Heterosexism Heterosexism Ethnocentrism Ethnocentrism

38. Injustice created by modern story Toward minorities with different stories (gender, class, sexual preference, ethnic group, religion) Toward minorities with different stories (gender, class, sexual preference, ethnic group, religion) Toward third world cultures Toward third world cultures Toward poor Toward poor Toward environment Toward environment

39. Postmodernity: Challenge to Modern Humanist Story Challenge to optimism Challenge to optimism Challenge to centrality of reason Challenge to centrality of reason Challenge to objectivity of knowledge Challenge to objectivity of knowledge Challenge to injustice created by modern story Challenge to injustice created by modern story Challenge to secularism Challenge to secularism Religious smorgasbord/pluralism:... New age, psychics, astrology, gnostic religions, eastern and native spirituality, occult, etc...

40. Initial Christian Response to Postmodernity Dialogue with postmodernity from within story of the Bible Dialogue with postmodernity from within story of the Bible Dialogue leads us to recover insights lost in modern story... E.g., Dialogue leads us to recover insights lost in modern story... E.g., Non-rational aspects of human beingsNon-rational aspects of human beings Factors affect knowledgeFactors affect knowledge Goodness of diversity and pluralityGoodness of diversity and plurality Dialogue leads us to see emergence of new dangerous idols... E.g., Dialogue leads us to see emergence of new dangerous idols... E.g., PluralismPluralism RelativismRelativism

41. Initial Christian Response to Postmodernity Dialogue will lead us to discern heart cries of postmodern culture Dialogue will lead us to discern heart cries of postmodern culture Dialogue must lead to forms of communal life that embody life and reject death Dialogue must lead to forms of communal life that embody life and reject death People of love and truth over against pluralism and relativismPeople of love and truth over against pluralism and relativism People of selfless giving over against a culture of selfishnessPeople of selfless giving over against a culture of selfishness People of justice over against economic and ecological injusticePeople of justice over against economic and ecological injustice People of hope over against despair and consumer satiationPeople of hope over against despair and consumer satiation

42. Third Tectonic Plate Growth of Consumer Society

43. Consumerism: Central to Western Life The postmodern is rightly associated with a society where consumer lifestyles and mass consumption dominate the waking lives of its members. (David Lyon) From rock music to tourism to television and even education, advertising imperatives and consumer demand are no longer for goods, but for experiences. (Stephen Connor)

44. Consumerism and Globalization Related to globalization: Western side of economic globalization Related to globalization: Western side of economic globalization Economic structures have enriched West at expense of non-WestEconomic structures have enriched West at expense of non-West

45. Consumerism and Postmodernity Related to globalization: Western side of economic globalization Related to globalization: Western side of economic globalization Related to postmodernity Related to postmodernity Consumption fills void created by loss of storyConsumption fills void created by loss of story

46. Consumerism as Our Story If there is an overarching metanarrative that purports to explain reality in the late 20 th century, it is surely the metanarrative of the free-market economy. In the beginning of this metanarrative is the self-made, self- sufficient human being. At the end of this narrative is the big house, the big car, the expensive clothes. In the middle is the struggle for success, the greed, the getting- and-spending in a world in which there is no such thing as a free lunch. Most of us have made this so thoroughly our story that we are hardly aware of its influence. (Susan White)

47. The Religion of Our Day? Consumerism appears to have become part and parcel of the very fabric of modern life.... And the parallel with religion is not an accidental one. Consumerism is ubiquitous and ephemeral. It is arguably the religion of the late twentieth century. (Miles)

48. Sacred order?... we cannot fully appreciate the depths of materialism unless we understand how economic behavior supplies us with meaning, purpose, and a sense of the sacred order. (Roberth Wuthnow) The accumulation of wealth is one of the great idols of our day and huge amounts of energy are spent every day in seeking meaning through great and greater accumulation of wealth and possessions. (Craig Bartholomew)

49. Our Calling? Understand! Understand! Dynamics and facts about globalizationDynamics and facts about globalization Potential solutions (cf. Goudzwaard)Potential solutions (cf. Goudzwaard) Bible as true story (cf. Bauckham) Bible as true story (cf. Bauckham) Our part in missional encounter Our part in missional encounter Lifestyles of restraint and generosity Lifestyles of restraint and generosity Good news for poor and oppressed Good news for poor and oppressed Suffering, spirituality, and community Suffering, spirituality, and community