On Consumer Culture, Identity, the Church and the Rhetorics of Delight

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The Reading Augustine series presents short, engaging books offering personal readings of St. Augustine of Hippo's contributions to western philosophical, literary, and religious life. Mark Claviers On Consumer Culture, Identity, The Church and the Rhetorics of Delight draws on Augustine of Hippo to provide a theological explanation for the success of marketing and consumer culture. Augustines thought, rooted in rhetorical theory, presents a brilliant understanding of the experiences of damnation and salvation that takes seriously the often hidden psychology of human motivation. Clavier examines how Augustines keen insight into the power of delight over personal notions of freedom and self-identity can be used to shed light on how the constant lure of promised happiness shapes our identities as consumers. From Augustines perspective, it is only by addressing the sources of delight within consumerism and by rediscovering the wellsprings of Gods delight that we can effectively challenge consumer culture. To an age awash with commercial rhetoric, the fifth-century Bishop of Hippo offers a theological rhetoric that is surprisingly contemporary and insightful.

Reviews

Claviers work is highly readable, avoids technical jargon, and is practical This is not just a book to understand culture. It will not leave any readers own relationship to consumerism unexamined, an inescapable fate, thankfully. * Reading Religion *
[A] noteworthy exploration of Augustine in relation to contemporary realities and a significant contribution to Christian approaches to consumer culture. * Augustinian Studies *
Claviers work provides an insightful assessment of a media-embedded culture through the eyes of Saint Augustine. This work would be welcome in any theological library or any institutions with a faith and learning integration component. * Catholic Library World *
Mark Claviers book is a significant piece of work, I hope it is widely read, and that he will continue to work on this. * Education Priest *
The book does not require the reader to have read Augustines work and makes further study easy by referencing in full the many authorities that are quoted. * The Reader Magazine *

Author Bio

Mark Clavier is Residential Dean of Brecon Cathedral in Wales and Chair of the Doctrinal Commission of the Church in Wales, UK. His past publications include Rescuing the Church from Consumerism (2013) and Eloquent Wisdom: Rhetoric, Cosmology, and Delight in the Theology of Augustine of Hippo (2014).