Available via license: CC BY 4.0
Content may be subject to copyright.
A preview of the PDF is not available
"Go out and gather each day...": Implications of the ethics of Exodus 16 for modern consumerism
Abstract
This article focuses on the implied ethical principles of the history of the manna in Exodus 16 and the relevance of these ethical principles for the contemporary culture of consumerism. The principles that can be derived from this history are the principle of labour and rest, of sharing, the ethical principles of responsible consumption, the protection of creation and of remembrance of God’s concern for humankind and creation. Modern consumerism with its underlying neo-liberal economic philosophy appears to violate these principles in many ways. The implied ethical principles of the manna history is thus highly relevant in the ethical discourse about economic planning,labour and rest, the environment and God’s involvement in the modern world.
... For example, those considering how more completely to embrace Sabbath should give close attention to the economic pressures that make a day of rest far more possible for some than for others. This will serve the cause for social justice: spiritual formation of this kind will foster longing for a system where all people have work at a living wage and time for rest and worship also (see also Vorster 2011). ...
... The latter facet of Sabbath-keeping has become prominent in recent times. Vorster (2011), casting the net wider, also focused on the implied ethical principles of the manna episode in Exodus 16 for understanding its ongoing relevance. He lists the principle of labour, rest, sharing, responsible consumption, the protection of creation and of remembrance of God's concern for humankind and creation as matters for consideration. ...
The commandment not to work and to rest on the Sabbath became a major spiritual practice in Judeo-Christian history. This article will spell out, in a concrete manner, the key spiritual contents of Sabbath-keeping that are relevant for and that determine an authentic, liberating and joyful celebration of the Sabbath. It, thus, contributes to the debate by Christians about the shape and form of what the practice of Sabbath-keeping practice might look like today. This article firstly explains how and why the practice by times became oppressive and abusive, losing its popularity because of a legalistic moralism. It then analyses how the practice in reality is about sanctifying work that reflects its true nature and that contributes meaningfully to human existence. It will focus on how commitment is a necessary beginning to practise the Sabbath before it analyses the dynamic and inspirational nature of Sabbath-keeping as a practice about resting. The article will anchor theological and theoretic reflections concretely in the life experience of faith communities concluding with a discussion about the lightness of the practice that is enjoyed in liturgy, in community, in play and in joyful celebration. The very last part will spell out ecological implications of Sabbath-keeping as one of the latest, exciting forms of Sabbath-keeping.
Contribution: This article responds to the renewed interest in the spiritual practice of Sabbath-keeping. It analyses how the practice lost its popularity because of a legalistic moralism. It will then analyse the lightness of the practice as it is enjoyed in liturgy, in community, in play and in joyful celebration.
... Kessler investigates the experience of 'restlessness' in contemporary society because of the dissonance in modern work. Hays (2010) and Vorster (2011) communities and its ongoing significance for some of these religious communities, as will become evident in the discussion of the literature below. ...
This article responds to the renewed interest in the spiritual practice of Sabbath-keeping by
investigating its nature and meaning in the Judeo-Christian traditions. After briefly analysing
the reasons for the contemporary neglect of Sabbath-keeping and indications of its renaissance,
this article will analyse biblical pronouncements about the Sabbath, mainly from Hebrew
Scriptures, but with brief attention to Christian Scriptures that provide various insights of
decisive importance to understand and explain its prominent place for faith communities, but
that are vitally important for reinvigorating Sabbath-keeping in a contemporary context. It
analyses pronouncements in the Bible in Genesis 2:1–3 that highlights the Sabbath as joyful
resting; the need for Sabbath-keeping as commandment in Exodus 20:9–11 and in Deuteronomy
5:12–15, and, finally Sabbath-keeping as trust in God as the provider in Exodus 16:1–30. Various
spiritual insights and implications of these passages will be discussed. The article assumes
historical critical insights as developed in biblical studies but develops a theological analysis
that explains the spiritual dynamics in these texts. These spiritual insights explain the prominence
of Sabbath-keeping in the Bible and its practice in the Judeo-Christian religious discourse.
This article deals with the implications of modern secularism for the concept of Christian ethics. How does the decline of Christianity in modern Western societies impede the validity of a Christian ethical approach to contemporary social issues? The concept secularism is explained. The argument then moves to the meta-theory of Christian ethics, namely the revelation of God as it is expressed in the �book of nature�, the written word, and the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ. The article concludes that as long as Christian ethics remains faithful to this meta-theory, understands the modern macro-ethical questions and maintains a deep social focus, it will remain relevant in a secular society.
The author examines and clarifies the phenomenon of consumerism. He surveys historical and social scientific perspectives before turning to the recent theological and ethical literature on the topic. An emerging concern in the ethical literature is development of a virtue approach along with the papal insistence on striking a proper balance of "being" and "having" as part of authentic human development.
This book develops a thorough account of the sphere of human moral action in sustained dialogue with Jürgen Moltmann. By examining God's role as promise-giver, particularly in the Christian understanding of resurrection, this work describes the occupancy of both history and space in moral terms. This leads to an understanding of Jesus' description of 'the kingdom of God' to feature prominently in describing both the possibility and content of human moral action. By offering an account of each of the main doctrines found in Moltmann's corpus - the role of the future, the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, and anthropology - this book locates how each contributes to the understanding of ethics from a Christian perspective and subsequently applies these findings to the contemporary issue of poverty and global economics.
Can the origins of morality be explained entirely in evolutionary terms? If so, what are the implications for Christian moral theology and ethics? Is the latter redundant, as socio-biologists often assert? Stephen Pope argues that theologians need to engage with evolutionary theory rather than ignoring it. He shows that our growing knowledge of human evolution is compatible with Christian faith and morality, provided that the former is not interpreted reductionistically and the latter is not understood in fundamentalist ways. Christian ethics ought to incorporate evolutionary approaches to human nature to the extent that they provide helpful knowledge of the conditions of human flourishing, both collective and individual. From this perspective, a strong affirmation of human dignity and appreciation for the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity is consistent with a revised account of natural law and the cardinal virtues.
What does it mean to forgive? The answer is widely assumed to be self-evident but critical analysis quickly reveals the complexities of the subject. Forgiveness has traditionally been the preserve of Christian theology, though in the last half century - and at an accelerating pace - psychologists, lawyers, politicians and moral philosophers have all been making an important contribution to questions about and our understanding of the subject. Anthony Bash offers a vigorous restatement of the Christian view of forgiveness in critical dialogue with those both within and without the Christian tradition. Forgiveness is a much more complicated subject than many theologians recognize. Bash explores the relevance of the theoretical discussion of the topic to recent events such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, post-Holocaust trials, the aftermath of 9/11 and July 7 and various high-profile criminal cases.
Toute discussion sur l'ethique environnementale doit commencer avec des bases scientifiques a partir desquelles on peut construire l'analyse. L'A. presente quatre articles qui forment le dossier sur les reponses religieuses aux problemes de population, de consommation et de degradation de l'environnement: la religion du marche de D. Loy; reponses hindouistes aux problemes d'ecologie par V. Narayanan; une ethique environnementale bouddhiste par R. Gross; le protestantisme et la nature de C. Keller. Toutes ces contributions font partie d'un projet d'ensemble sur une nouvelle theologie de l'environnement et de l'economie