Christ Above Business Case Study

William T Cavanaugh (2008), wrote Being Consumed: Economics and Christian Desire which is a philosophical book, which focus on four (4) economic life matters that addresses the consumer culture within society. These four economic life matters are free market, consumerism, globalization and economic scarcity. In order for this topic to be discussed on a theological point of view, the author draws the reader’s attention to human life, the ends of life in God. The key question in every process is whether or not the transaction contributes to the flourishing of each person involved. In order to address these questions the author points to concrete examples of alternative economic practices in which Christians participate-: business, co-operatives, credit union, practices of consumption which marks the vision for Christian economic life. Cavanaugh (2008) calls the church to create and cultivate her own alternative culture informed

In the beginning Christians found it unfit to be a rich merchant, while Islam’s judgment on trade was acceptable as long as they were honest and the trading was just. To sell a product for true value or to sell it for a profit has always been a debate. In Document 4 by Thomas Aquino, a leading Scholastic Theologian depicts how

Freedom of poverty and individual rights ultimately what Mexican-American cultures strive to obtain in earlier times, according to Viramontes. Although this contains accuracy to an extent, today’s Hispanic American culture fight against stereotypes and hidden oppression of full individual rights. Remedification of potential and hard work is dismissed in this novel, due to Mexican-American’s job status and minimal education. This oppression often leaves Mexican-Americans to keep living in this lifestyle, obvlious to keep working and hopefully achieve grounds to move out of poverty. In the novel, Under the Feet of Jesus, Helena Maria Viramontes emphasizes the physical labor Estrella and her family go through, and how this work reshapes their

“One of the best-kept secrets is that much of the strongest business thinking lines up with a biblical worldview. We see this in two of the most significant trends in business thinking: an emphasis on purpose and on service ” (Perman). In the following pages we will look at and evaluate how Interstate Battery Systems of America, also known as Interstate Batteries, is using its influence in the business world to participate in God’s redemptive plan.

In almost every Count that has ever been reigned in the middle ages, there is no leader like Count Charles, who takes a risky approach to governing a land with the idea of religion as an important aspect of his position. Count Charles, aka “Blessed Charles the Good” is well known for feeding the poor, promoting peace and security, but religion is definitely a big influence to his reign as the Count of Flanders. At first, before doing any research on Count Charles’ religious ruling, I would already believe that Charles is a spiritual nobleman that everyone would admire because of how devastated Flanders felt when they heard about his death in 1127. Fortunately, my thoughts on Count Charles

Picture a life where every intricate detail of any trade took a large amount of time to do but it had to be done for the survival of the human kind. Now picture it’s the turn of the 20th century, everyone and everything in the united states was revolutionizing. Many inventions are being born and many machines are making these intricate jobs more effortless. Life before was merely a memory. Many living in the united states and others that were living in other countries were ready to seek for better opportunities and finally become part of the working, middle class. Little did they know, those big businesses were going to take over their lives. The upper-class citizens who owned these businesses did not have any interest for the workers; they

Option. Dreher sees the cultural wars over new realities (such as LGBT) as a threat to Christian

These principles can be seen throughout the writings of the political thinkers of the 1890’s and illuminate how this category of thought is familiar to the American life.

Albert Schweitzer touchingly wrote, “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” By understanding Albert Schweitzer’s background as a talented writer, the reader can appreciate Ray Bradbury’s decisions to include them in Fahrenheit 451.

“I said in my heart that, rather than have war, I would give up my country. I would give up my father’s grave. I would give up everything rather than have the blood of the white men upon the hands of my people” (Chief Joseph, 1879 Speech to Congress, Line 78-80, P55). In this case, Chief Joseph had several big decisions to make at the time. After his father’s passing his biggest words to him was that he better not backs down and let the white man take the land with our ancestors. At this time, he also had to think about the bloodshed of his people, along with if he wanted to give into the fighting for the land. The fact that he wanted to keep his people’s hands blood free is a huge deal. Many of the Indians had a reputation proceeding them that they killed white people. Chief Joseph didn’t want that, he wanted mutual respect, even if that meant giving up his land.

He notes a large correlation with being a Protestant and having an involvement in business. This can be seen across all nationalities. It indicated that Protestants were among the wealthiest in society and pursued wealthy ventures. "Business leaders and owners of capital, as well as the skilled higher strata of the labour force and especially the higher technical or commercially trained staff of modern enterprises tend to be predominantly Protestant." (Weber, 1958). Protestantism offers the concept of a worldly “calling” and also gives worldly activity a religious character. This implies to pursue profit but does not explain the need to. Weber argues that the spirit of modern capitalism views profit as an end in itself and pursuing profit as being noble and pure. He sees Calvinism as being the main source in explaining his

“An employer’s view of the labor question” was written by Andrew Carnegie. Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the late

Ed combats this view with the idea that the point of discipleship is not information, but Christ-like transformation. The second “broken view” presented is the fact that we try to program discipleship. Ed infers that discipleship is so much more than a six-week course, and people are looking for relationships more than discipleship classes. The third “broken view” is that we equate discipleship with our preaching. In fact, 56% of pastors surveyed believe their weekly sermon was the most important discipling ministry in the church. Ed battles this idea with the truth of how discipleship is a daily process and commitment. The fourth “broken view” is that we think that we will grow without effort. Ed then implies that discipleship takes intentional effort to grow in their relationship with the Lord. The fifth “broken view” of discipleship is we don’t offer practical steps to discipleship. Stetzer argues that we need to be intentional about implementing discipleship

During the interview with Timothy Hughes, Pastor of the First Baptist Church, many difficult and probing questions were asked to discover the heart of his decision making process. The pastor, making himself available for this interview answered with much openness and transparency revealing how he makes decisions regarding a variety of issues. In regards to fear and its impact on his decision making, one could ascertain that this pastor uses acknowledgement of his fear to provide balance in this process. Decision made in regards to sermon preparation time is deemed to vary as he tries to “utilize a variety of sermon methodology or sermon preparation.” The importance of having a mentor relationship has been important in his life and has aided in making challenging decisions. The aid of such individuals have helped in molding the philosophy he has regarding decisions now. The use of small groups have aided in growth in his life and decisions he has made regarding the issues of focused study. The relationship he has with his family has a great impact on his decisions made. His wife is an

Should todays Christians be pro or anti free market, pro or anti-globalization? How are we to survive in a modern world of scarcity? Theologian William Cavanaugh uses Christian resources to incisively address basic economic matters like the free market, consumer culture, globalization, and scarcity. Cavanaugh argues that we should not just accept these terms but rather enforce a Christian approach and way of living.