Social Ethics in a World of Consumption

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore the implications of the postmodern consumerist society from the perspective of Christian ethical teaching. The argument shows that the consumerist culture is built on a worldview that originated in the Enlightenment and has acquired a foothold within Eastern Europe and the church. The paper highlights the challenges consumerism poses for living a truly ethical life within the community and proposes that the church, in an act of self-examination, can become a catalyst for change. It can be a voice and an example of alternative living for society at large. KEYWORDS: Consumerism, social ethics, cultural identity, Christian ethics, Christian service