Branding: Are We Marked for Life?

Several times a semester, my church hosts a discussion called Theology at the Forge, which takes place at Forge & Vine, an eatery in downtown Columbia. TATF is designed to take us outside the walls of the church and engage in conversation about how our theology and our worldviews come to bear on some of the biggest political, social and cultural issues of the day. I'm leading tomorrow night's discussion, entitled "Branding: Are We Marked for Life?" Below, you'll see a description of the event. If you're in Columbia tomorrow night around 7, meet us at the Forge and join the dialogue.

Experts tell us that by grade school, American kids are familiar with hundreds of logos. Whether it’s swooshes or golden arches, companies and advertisers work together to create unforgettable images that build customer loyalty. But branding is about more than just selling a product. It’s about selling a way of life. From culturally accepted catchphrases to commercials which debate what kind of computer best represents us, branding has left an indelible mark on our society, affecting the way we view our money, ourselves and each other. Are the brands we buy simply harmless economic choices or do they reveal something about our personality and beliefs? Is it ethical for companies to try and create lifelong customers through marketing in schools? And what of upstart movements to make pervasive branding a thing of the past? The answers to these questions may reveal more about our own brand of thinking than we realize. Bring a few friends, an opinion and an open-mind, and grab a table, food and drink in the upstairs lounge at the Forge & Vine downtown. All ideas are welcome.

What's in a label?

As I revive and renew this badly-crippled, once left-for-dead blog, I have been struggling to find definition. Purpose. Direction. What am I doing here (on this site, not in a greater/more universal sense)? How could this one little corner of my existence best express a vision for life, justice, progress, spirituality?

Looking for guidance, I began to examine the labels which seem to suit me best. Theological conservative. Political progressive. Pop-culture enthusiast. I realized I couldn't point this blog exclusively in any of these directions as none of these labels ultimately define me. In fact, on an almost daily basis, a current event or hot-button issue exposes the points of tension between these labels, calling into question their very validity. What's in a label, anyway? Far too often, we label ourselves and others in an effort to set up clear-cut boundaries. Who's acceptable and who's not? Who's right and who's wrong? Who will I associate with and who will I cast aside?

My hope, then, for this blog is a casting off of labels or, at the very least, a refining of them. A chance to speak plainly and honestly. An opportunity to embrace the tension I see and submit that tension to the light shed by a greater Truth. The person of Truth. Because, ultimately, it is my hope to take any of the labels I could ever wear and make them subservient to the Gospel which has shaped and ultimately defined my life.

Part of me hopes that upon first reading, this blog will be too conservative for my progressive friends and too progressive for my conservative comrades. But, I hope to keep each side coming back so that, together, we can wrestle with greater questions and more expansive divides than liberal/conservative, etc. Those old debates are boring and lead us nowhere. Let's instead ask questions that get us closer to truer purposes and allow us to discuss models for moving forward.

One final thought...really, a promise to you, dear reader. This thing won't be quite as existential from here on out! By exploring the inherent tensions in tangible matters of theology, culture, politics, etc., I think we can all learn something (especially me)...