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CURRENTLY IN BOOKS
Vying with the multi-national one-world agenda

David Neufeld

Mustard Seed Versus Mcworld: Reinventing Life and Faith for the Future
Tom Sine, Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 1999. 240 pp.

Mustard Seed Versus McWorld is basically the study of the forces at work in our society: multinationals striving for economic globalization and consumerism and the alternative choices of working for higher ideals.

Tom Sine responds to Jihad Versus McWorld by Benjamin R. Barber, where social fragmentation “Jihad” is pitted against the multinational one-world agenda of “McWorld”. Sine replaces this unworthy foe with the mustard seed image representing Jesus’ teachings, taken from his earlier book, The Mustard Seed Conspiracy.

Sine challenges us to look more closely at the motivations behind our decision-making. He also invites us to re-ask questions like: Whom do we work for? How do we plan for the future of the church and its institutions? Whom do we support with our time and money? In this battle between such forces, Sine contends that it is ultimately up to us to choose sides.

Sine does an excellent job of incorporating a large amount of material by making it very accessible and easy to follow. In addressing issues such as declining church memberships and our seemingly insatiable appetite for consumer goods, he leads us through a process of reevaluating and reflecting upon what has brought us to this point and what we can do about it. After clearly laying out a basic understanding on what motivates our decisions, he uses Scripture and real life examples to show how an alternative “mustard seed” grass roots initiative is successfully making a difference.

This practical approach to complex issues empowers the reader, leaving one feeling neither wholly judged nor totally innocent. It is an enlightening book for anyone who worries about where economic globalization is leading us, and for anyone who does not.

David Neufeld is director of development and alumni relations for Concord College, Winnipeg, Man.

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Last modified May 4, 2000.

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