Cash Values: Money and the Erosion of Meaning in Today's Society (New College Lectures) [Paperback]

Mr. Craig M. Gay (Author)

Book Description

Series: New College Lectures | Publication Date: July 8, 2004

Foreword by Trevor Cairney / MONEY - the world today revolves around it. Particularly in capitalist societies, money plays a central role. Given money's pride of place in modern life and given how often the Bible addresses money's use and abuse, the subject of money clearly deserves serious Christian reflection. Craig Gay offers just that in this short, incisive, balanced book. / Considering the insights of several classical and contemporary social theorists, Gay shows the duplicity of a monetary ethos: capitalism is without question the most productive economic system ever devised, yet the market system also fosters a subtle nihilism that tends to empty the world of substance and meaning. Gay's study encourages readers to rediscover meanings and values that transcend "cash values" - higher values that can free us from the market economy's grip on our culture.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Craig M. Gay is associate professor of interdisciplinary studies at Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 110 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (July 8, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802827756
• ISBN-13: 978-0802827753
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #951,296 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Realistic Look at Capitalism, September 7, 2004

By 

Robert Terry (Denton, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cash Values: Money and the Erosion of Meaning in Today's Society (New College Lectures) (Paperback)

Craig Gay takes a look at modern capitalism from a Christian perspective in Cash Values. In three chapters, Gay presents the benefits of capitalism, it's unintended consequences to society, and some ideas for a Christian approach to the subject. While the book is not long on concrete suggestions, it is a thoughful interaction steering a middle course between rejection of the free market and uncritical acceptance.

3.0 out of 5 stars Understanding the Value, not Just the Price, November 28, 2009

By 

Conrade Yap (Vancouver, BC Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cash Values: Money and the Erosion of Meaning in Today's Society (New College Lectures) (Paperback)

Gay's book is a welcome effort to correct any modern society that tends to know the price of everything but the value of nothing. It argues cogently that, capitalism for all its power to generate money, is ill-equipped to produce meaning. Without throwing away capitalism totally, Gay helps us look at it redemptively via an 'economy of shrewd stewardship.' He concludes by urging the reader not to be 'overly critical' of capitalism for its ills, nor 'overly concerned' about defending it. His proposal:

"I believe we should use modern capitalism for the sake of our fellow servants, showing them grace, forgiving their debts, unexpectedly lightening their burdens, employing whatever wealth we have - wealth that we know we cannot keep for long - in the service of fellowship and friendship. And we should place our hope in the goodness and above all in the graciousness of God, the God for whom all things are possible." (99)

Overall, this is an intelligent book, well grounded in scholarship and full of wisdom for a world that fanatically believes that money makes the world go round. No. it is the wise use of money that makes the world sound.

conrade