David in D

Why Did Crude Oil Spike So High?

Sivere- I actually agree with what you said, but I have a hunch for very different reasons. A cursory look at decent Christian theology will rapidly expose the problems with the "God as vending machine" ideas that are often espoused from pulpits and mildly from your post. I don't think God is interested in bringing oil prices downward, nor could God do so given the fundamental problems with human nature (in terms of our fundamental theological anthropology).

But, like I said, I do actually agree with you. A renewal of deep and abiding spirituality might raise the consciousness of Americans (and others) to a level where we live much more intentionally. As we do so I think it is plausible that the disease of rabid consumption will be tamed and we might realize that we really don't need to drive the Chevy Suburban back and forth to mall five times a week and we really don't want to eat chemically-laden fruit from Mexico and do in fact see the value of locally grown, organic produce (all of which would reduce our consumption of oil thus reducing price and simultaneously improve our health). My point is simply to say I think you are correct in seeing our current fiscal issues as being tied to spirituality, but God isn't a vending machine. God is, and most good theologians agree, the creative force by which we come into greater awareness which is what I think we need here. My guess is that you are intuiting toward this yourself; am I correct?

Best wishes.