I, Brian Welch, and many others are Second

A few thoughts from Dave's sermon this weekend from Ecclesiastes 2...

The over-arching topic was the pursuit of "pleasure"-- through various means.

Christian economists have a somewhat tense relationship with standard economic models on this point. We say that people seek to maximize "utility" or satisfaction, subject to budget and time constraints. But, if taken too literally, this can reduce to materialism or utilitarianism.

Many Christian economists know that models are only representations of complex realities, recognize the limitations of this model, and move on. Others ignore the potential for trouble with this model. Others are so troubled that they want to throw the baby out with the proverbial bathwater. (Of course, they argue that the baby is more like a toad or a demon.)

The framework of delivery for the sermon was a gigantic remote control device. Its size made it amusing and memorable. Its common use made it applicable. We often approach life as we approach the TV set: look at something, get bored, and move on-- "surfing the channels" of life's pleasures.

The powerful finish came from Brian Welch, former guitarist for the rock band, Korn. Welch converted suddenly to Christianity in 2005 after living like Solomon as a rock star. Dave shared an excerpt of Welch's testimony from the website "I Am Second". (The website has interviews with a lot of famous people. You can see the excerpt used in the service within the last few minutes of the sermon.)

Check it out!