Good Life : Genuine Christianity for the Middle Class

by Matzko McCarthy, David

• ISBN13: 9781587430688
• ISBN10: 1587430681
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-02-01
• Publisher: Brazos Pr

Summary

Intimate friendships, loving families, good food, and beautiful homes--middle-class Westerners enjoy so many gifts. Christians often feel guilty about their enjoyment of these gifts, but David McCarthy suggests that God provides these things for our enjoyment. In contrast to consumerism, which encourages shallow relationships, McCarthy explains how the love of God fosters a deep attachment to the world. He describes this in relation to marriage, family, friendship, hospitality, and work. A right ordering of our desires will lead Christians to an enjoyment of life that require less "stuff." This book will be appreciated by all Christians trying to live well in an affluent culture.

Author Biography

David Matzko McCarthy is assistant professor of theology at Mount St. Mary's College in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	9	(2)
The Beginning: Seek First the Kingdom	11	(8)
Part 1: People	19	(46)
Introduction	21	(42)
1. American and Middle Class	22	(7)
2. Contractual Connections and Our Economic Logic	29	(4)
3. Friendship	33	(5)
4. God's Gift of Friendship	38	(4)
5. Love and Justice	42	(4)
6. God and Neighbor	46	(3)
7. Family First	49	(5)
8. Marriage	54	(4)
9. Sex and Singleness	58	(5)
Conclusion	63	(2)
Part 2: Places	65	(30)
Introduction	67	(1)
10. Our Place	68	(4)
11. The Home and the Hospitality of the Market	72	(5)
12. Sharing, Eating, and Housekeeping	77	(6)
13. Country and Nation	83	(7)
14. Hope for the World	90	(3)
Conclusion	93	(2)
Part 3: Things	95	(32)
Introduction	97	(1)
15. The Meaning of Things	98	(6)
16. Debts and Gifts	104	(4)
17. Wants and Needs	108	(6)
18. Work and Cultivation	114	(5)
19. Our Relation to Things	119	(5)
Conclusion	124	(3)
Part 4 God and Creation	127	(44)
Introduction	129	(2)
20. We Believe	131	(6)
21. One God, the Father, the Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth	137	(6)
22. For God, Creation Out of Nothing, and for Us, Lots of Things	143	(5)
23. One Lord, Jesus Christ, the Only Son of God	148	(5)
24. The Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life	153	(4)
25. One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church	157	(4)
26. The Forgiveness of Sin	161	(5)
27. Resurrection and the Life of the World to Come	166	(4)
Conclusion	170	(1)
A Final Word: Bound to Love	171	(2)
Bibliography	173