One of the most important aspects of any study of business ethics is a reflection on your attitudes toward money, materialism, and power. To study this in more depth, we will be reading and reflecting on Tim Keller’s book, Counterfeit Gods as indicated in the syllabus.
Students will be assigned 2 short (3-4 pages) response papers on specific sections of the book Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller.
These papers should be double spaced, 12 point font, 1″ margins and submitted on Canvas, not by hard copy or email, and should respond to the specific questions noted below. These papers are due on the dates noted on the syllabus.
The reading is as follows: (get the book: counterfeit gods by timothy keller)
Keller, Counterfeit Gods – pp. xi -21; pp. 48 – 96
- Introduction: “The Idol Factory”
- Chapt. 1: “All You’ve Ever Wanted”
- Chapt. 3: “Money Changes Everything”
- Chapt. 4: The Seduction of Success”
Your paper should address each of the following questions.Questions for Keller – Reflections on Money
- In terms of Americans and capitalism, Keller discusses Alexis de Toqueville’s statement that Americans believed prosperity could quench their yearn for happiness, but such a hope was illusory (p. xii). Keller further states that Americans do not generally regard themselves as middle class (only 2% say they are upper class), even though people visiting from other cultures are “staggered” to see the materialistic comfort Americans regard as a necessity (p. 53). He further states that, when socialism collapsed, there was an embrace of free market capitalism as the best solution for dealing with the problems of poverty and injustice (p.105), but then openly wonders if we may feel the same about capitalism after the collapse of 2008-2009 (p. 106). Do you think Keller is too skeptical of capitalism? If not, why not? If so, what do you believe Christians in the marketplace need to do in order to address this issue?
- Keller writes that money can take on divine attributes, and our relationship to it then approximates worship and obeisance (p.xv). He cites Luke 16 and its caution that a Christian cannot serve both God and Mammon, and goes on to say that you either serve God or “you become open to slavery to Mammon.” He further notes that people who trust in money believe it provides them with control and security (p.57). Do you agree with him, or do you believe he may be too skeptical of wealth? If you believe he raises a valid point, what do you suggest to overcome the power of money in your own life and obey God’s command to be good stewards of money?
- In connection with the issue of choosing a vocation, Keller writes that young people now choose jobs not on the basis of “what helps people to flourish,” but on the basis of “what job will help me to flourish?” He goes on to state his opinion that this has resulted in a great deal of expressed frustration over unfulfilling work (p.79). Do you agree with him? Why or why not? How has what you have read affected your analysis of the type of job/vocation for which you will search upon graduation?
- Keller writes that managers must pursue profit, but not atthe expense of being honest in business dealings. He states that paying employees more and giving them a good working environment may pay off in the long run, but such actions should be done because it’s the right thing to do in and of itself, not only as a means to the end of higher profits (p.128). He argues that honesty and commitment to workers and environment must be embraced as good in and of themselves, otherwise integrity will not be maintained (p. 128). Do you agree, or do you believe he may be a bit naïve as to this issue? Why? If you agree with him, what do you believe you personally can do at your work place to pursue both profit and honesty contemporaneously?
- What did you specifically learn from this portion of the Keller book that stood out to you, and why was what you learned important to you personally?
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