A Review of Rediscovering Values: A Moral Compass for the New Economy by Jim Wallis
By John Watson
This article was intended to be book review of the recent publication by Jim Wallis Rediscovering Values: A Moral Compass for a New Economy and in one sense it still is. The issue of social transformation or the Kingdom of God has always been at the heart of our Christian faith – sometimes overstressed in the machinations of political leaders (Constantine) or sometimes being reduced simply to a tepid internal spiritual realm. In the last few days of reading and digesting what Wallis has been saying I have also been aware of a number of similar titles on the central issue relating to this book – how can values be rediscovered in the time following a moment of national and international crisis – a crisis of confidence and morality.
The Guardian publication of the Citizen Ethics in a Time of Crisis with articles from a wide-ranging sources of academics and social commentators including Rowan Williams looks at values, economics, politics and a common life: if ever there was an opportunity for Christians to speak into our nations souls and minds and offer fresh inspiration, there is now such a time.
Tom Wright publishes his new book of Virtue Reborn (a Fulcrum book review pending); Graham Ward in his book The Politics of Discipleship offers a penetrating and assertive exploration of a recovery of metaphysics in the discourse of modern identity and the rediscovery of ‘post-materialist’ values that is founded on eschatology and ecclesiology.
All poignant and expansive works bringing much needed clarity and voice in the debates around our national framework and offering insight into a fresh alternative. And boy do we need one. As Wallis reminds his readers:
“The American people were asked to trust the smart people who knew best and to count on the banks to restore the credit flow to individuals and businesses. But some banks bought up stocks, assets, bonds at rock bottom prices and then made a killing in profits as the market stabilized…Then to congratulate themselves they gave out record compensation bonuses while wages were frozen or falling around the country.” (p.220).
A fair point and sentiment that many of us would share.
Wallis’ book is written from personal anecdotes and a biblical understanding of an economy of God that he has long been known for teaching and writing about. He quotes from international conventions such as 2009 World Economic Forum in Davos where he took part in a plenary session with Tony Blair and other high profile meetings. Wallis’ position towards political and economic issues and his recognition by those involved at high levels is well known and this book is an introduction to some of his key themes which have shaped his own ministry.
However if you have followed Wallis for a while it repeats similar propositions and understandings, no doubt updated, that have appeared in his earlier works. The desire to redefine capitalism, the mandate to create a new sense of community and well-being based on values and principles of justice, equality and living by the narrative of the kingdom of God all speak loud a clear in powerful and persuasive ways.
Wallis seeks a ‘new normal’ where the old ways of being normal are replaced by virtues that have been forgotten. By remembering them, and they are remembered by looking at our Judeo-Christian traditions, we can live that new normality, giving birth to a new community.
This book does not want to hide its treasures in academic language and offers a way for any lay person to begin to imagine the world becoming a different place.
• "Spending money we don't have for things we don't need is a bad foundation for an economy or a family."
• "It's time to stop keeping up with the Joneses and start making sure the Joneses are okay."
• *"The values of commercials and billboards are not the things we want to teach our children."
• "Care for the poor is not just a moral duty but it is critical for the common good."
• "The operating principle of God's economy says that there is enough if we share it."
These are not new edicts of course, others have said it in many ways over many years, but the purpose of this book is to recapture imaginations again, not just in isolated church communities but an encompassing vision of what a society’s values can look like if inspired by faith.
The book ends with twenty exercises that if practised as a family, group, church would make a valuable discipline to reveal just how much our eyes, lives and current values may have been shaped by the driving forces of consumerism, narcissism, and immediate gratification.
A book that can offer another voice in the brave and creative ideas that are coming into the public space to offer a vision of a new way of life shaped by the values of the Kingdom. Read alongside the other works mentioned above, this book will give an inspiring and practical edge to study and indeed preaching on the subject of social transformation in age of uncertainty and doubt.
Jim Wallis is president and CEO of Sojourners magazine where he is chief editor. He is a best selling author, renowned speaker and preacher, public theologian and international commentator on religion and public life, faith and politics.
John Watson is the vicar of St Paul’s Tupsley with St Andrews Hampton Bishop and the Membership Secretary of Fulcrum
John is the Vicar of St Paul’s, Tupsley and St Andrews, Hampton Bishop in Hereford Diocese. He’s also currently doing Doctoral Studies at Kings College London.