The Economy of Desire: Christianity and Capitalism in a Postmodern World (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780801035739)

In this addition to the award-winning Church and Postmodern Culture series, respected theologian Daniel Bell compares and contrasts capitalism and Christianity, showing how Christianity provides resources for faithfully navigating the postmodern global economy.

Bell approaches capitalism and Christianity as alternative visions of humanity, God, and the good life. Considering faith and economics in terms of how desire is shaped, he casts the conflict as one between different disciplines of desire. He engages the work of two important postmodern philosophers, Deleuze and Foucault, to illuminate the nature of the postmodern world that the church currently inhabits. Bell then considers how the global economy deforms desire in a manner that distorts human relations with God and one another. In contrast, he presents Christianity and the tradition of the works of mercy as a way beyond capitalism and socialism, beyond philanthropy and welfare. Christianity heals desire, renewing human relations and enabling communion with God.

Author: Daniel M. Jr. Bell
ISBN-10: 0801035732
ISBN-13: 9780801035739
Publisher: Baker Academic
Language: English
Published: 11/01/2012
Pages: 224
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.60lbs
Size: 8.40h x 5.50w x 0.70d

Review Citation(s):
Christian Century 05/01/2013 pg. 27