The Introduction

 

Jesus wasn't asleep between Christmas and Easter, between his birth and his death. He lived out a style of Life that stands as a model for our own. Yet something has ensnared our cultural imagination when we can claim to be his followers without examining our Lifestyles. To mouth the words of Jesus is religious - to act on them is revolutionary. The profession of a religious belief is hollow if it does rot brush up against our economic and social behavior.

 

New responses are needed for the 21st century - responses that are difficult to make while we chase dreams dedicated to huge mortgages and personal entertainment. We need pockets of ‘prophetic simplicity’. We need voices of dissent pointing to another way. We need those who choose lives of significance and service.

 

Living simply and working towards community is the soil from which we can grow an authentic Christ-centered life and respond to the needs of the world.

 

This is the first booklet in a series. Simplicity has been a discipline practiced by many down the ages who seek to follow Jesus’ own style of life It is par­ticularly relevant for the beginning of the 21st Century due to the accelerat­ing pace of life, the ecological threat, and uneven global development. Ultimately, simplicity is about moving toward freedom, which is what Jesus is about too.

 

The Contents

 

1    Serving both God and Money?

      How serving money affects the church and ourselves.

 

2    Other Millennium Bugs

      Our response to environmental damage and global underdevelopment.

 

3    Just Jesus

      Jesus as our role model. How do we follow him today?

 

4    Being “In the World’ but not “Of the World”

      The world views we hold. Digging out materialist assumptions.

 

5    Is Consumerism Christian?

      Is consumerism consistent with Christianity? Finding a new dream.

 

6    The Discipline of Inner Simplicity

      Busyness and Peace. Inner resources for a singe life. Some exercises.

 

7    Simplicity and Prosperity

      Why live simply when you don't have to? What about prosperity?

 

8    Downshifting on Purpose

      Beating the “buy-ological urge" Finding new outlets for our money and time.

 

9    Simplifying Your Life

      What simple living isn't. Practical areas for action, handling money and time.

 

10   The Big Three: House, Car, Family

      Being creative in transport, housing and family finances.

 

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