“Pomegranate looks like any island of upscale consumerism, but deep down it is based on a countercultural understanding of how life should work.”
Maybe I’m just an old man, but I find myself disagreeing here for the same reason I get tired of the: OMG LENT IS SO HARD THANK GOD I HAVE (fill in the blank) TO MAKE IT SO EASY. Pomegranate in Brooks’ article is responding to our consumer-driven needs; adherence to rules is secondary.
Our need to be medicated by convenience is embarrassing at times. When did things like Orthodoxy and Lent become about the minimum amount of effort? I’m not saying we should flagellate ourselves in the name of piety, but I’m not really impressed that you’re making it through your Friday fast because you found some kick-ass recipe for barbeque sauce that now doesn’t make the “I’m showing how Godly I am by swallowing down vegan food I wouldn’t do normally” fast feel so difficult.
At that point it’s just the law, and it’s not the Spirit. Pretty sure Jesus wasn’t a fan of that.
And lest any of you get prickly because you’re guilty of it – I can stand right in that line, too.
adam w anderson 