good reading and good eating

I'm reading an excellent book right now. The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan. In this book Pollan seeks to answer the loaded question "what should we have for dinner?

At one time in man's history that was a no-brainer - we ate whatever we could hunt or gather. With all the choices we have today that question has a lot to it.

The subtitle of the book is called "a history of four meals". Pollan tries to trace 4 meals from their source to his belly and tell what he discovers along the journey.

In visiting an "organic" farm Pollan makes some discoveries that apply to the church as well. (This book is not "religious" or about ecclesiology whatsoever.) The farmer spoke of "the impossibility of taking a 'decidedly Eastern, connected, holistic product, and selling it through a decidedly Western, disconnected, reductionist Wall Streetified marketing system.'"

He was speaking about how the governments involvement in the organic food industry has ruined the term and concept of "organic". (Not just the "government" - the capitalistic Western system.)

To me - I can't help but think the same applies to the church. When we take something as pure and natural and organic as the church is to be and try to sell it in a decidedly Western market system - well it's impossible - it ends up ruining the "organic-ness" of the church. (This is my observation or "association" - NOT the author's.)

I wish I could explain this better - but hopefully you catch my drift. Anyway, the book is really good - the guy is not a health food or organic food advocate - he just shares his findings as he tries to follow 4 meals that he puts on his table. He's a good writer and easy to read - for those who only read fiction and find nonfiction "boring" - this would be good one to wet your palate with.

Pun intended but the recommendation is serious.