Happenings of elsewhere...

I noticed in my travels through the little blogroll-realm we've set-up here with Eusebeian Way, an article by Bill Muehlenberg at his Culture Watch site, covering a topic we recently discussed in our introductory series: http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2007/10/26/contentment-in-an-age-of-excess/.

In it, Bill quotes the Scripture on godliness and contentment in 1 Timothy 6:6-8, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”

The article concludes with Mr. Muehlenberg suggesting that, "... at a fundamental level, any message or any gospel which keeps us fixated on our material wants can be said to be a false gospel." If you recall, when looking at this Scripture I mused that one could not help but think of the prosperity gospel when thinking of the temporal state of material possessions described in this portion of the Word.

I think that materialism and consumerism are true obstacles to godliness. How can one worship God in the correct way if one knee is already bowed to mammon? In the religions of the world, asceticism or the renouncing of goods and possessions is seen as a great sign of piety. While I do not think that this in itself constitutes godliness buy any means, I would be inclined to think that many times over material greed (covetousness says the commandment) has disqualified the living of a eusebeian life.

I'll probably look at this issue further in a future series titled "Culture contrary to godliness", along with other obstacles that are readily embraced even by whole churches, with dire consequences to personal and corporate godliness.

In any case it is great to see another witness in our loop speaking on this common subject.