Nothing may influence and affect the faith of Christians in the Western, developed` world so much as consumerism. Theologians and biblical scholars have often pondered the dangers and the privileges of money. But few have focused on consumption as culture or a way of life, complete with its own set of attitudes, behaviors and purposes for living.` `The Consuming Passion does exactly that, relying on insightful theologians, psychologists, sociologists, ecologists and economists to probe beneath and better understand what makes consumer culture work - and how people of faith might best respond.`--BOOK JACKET