Overview

"In this thought-provoking book Scott Gustafson argues that economics performs the same function in contemporary American culture that religions did in past cultures. He describes and analyzes the rituals, pilgrimage sites, myths, prophets, reformers, sacraments, and mission of economics to show how the economy operates as our de facto ""god."" Und"

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9780802872807

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<b><i>Catholic Books Review</i></b> An excellent review and critique of our current economic system's sacred and unquestionable beliefs and activities. . . . Provocative. <b>Harvey Cox</b>(author of<i>The Secular City</i>) Harvard Divinity School It is daily becoming more clear that consumer capitalism is not just an economic system. It is a fully developed culture and, as Gustafson shows in this skillfully researched book, a full-blown religion. Replete with its own rituals, doctrines, sacraments, and theology, Economics has become the most powerful alternative to Christianity, all the more threatening because few people recognize its spiritual pretensions. No one who reads this extraordinary account will be able to think about religion or economics in the same way again. <b>Robert H. Nelson</b>(author of<i>Economics as Religion</i>) Independent Institute In this intriguing book Scott Gustafson applies a new theological lens to American public life. Religion has always addressed political and economic affairs, but now, as he explains, economics actually<i>is</i>our religion. Gustafson shows that much conventional wisdom about the workings of American society is based on secular' economic myth and illusion, and he insightfully explores how religion today has put on an economic disguise. <b><i>Christian Century</i></b> Gustafson incisively lays bare our faith that capitalism will simultaneously make us rich and save us from the moral and material excesses of those riches.

Harvey Cox (author of The Secular City ) Harvard Divinity School It is daily becoming more clear that consumer capitalism is not just an economic system. It is a fully developed culture and, as Gustafson shows in this skillfully researched book, a full-blown religion. Replete with its own rituals, doctrines, sacraments, and theology, Economics has become the most powerful alternative to Christianity, all the more threatening because few people recognize its spiritual pretensions. No one who reads this extraordinary account will be able to think about religion or economics in the same way again. Robert H. Nelson (author of Economics as Religion ) Independent Institute In this intriguing book Scott Gustafson applies a new theological lens to American public life. Religion has always addressed political and economic affairs, but now, as he explains, economics actually is our religion. Gustafson shows that much conventional wisdom about the workings of American society is based on secular' economic myth and illusion, and he insightfully explores how religion today has put on an economic disguise.

Author Information

Scott W. Gustafson is an independent stock-market investor in Herndon, Virginia; he previously served as a seminary professor and pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

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