Shaking the Gates of Hell: Faith-Led Resistance to Corporate Globalization breaks new ground by describing the global economy and its effects from the perspective of an integrated theology of "the earth as primary revelation" and the institutional powers of this world. It reaches the conclusion that hope lies in nonviolent resistance and ecological and social responsibility based on God's action in Jesus and in the triumph of God over the powers. This book describes today's interrelated social, economic, and ecological crises and makes the case that we face a living hell on earth if we do not address them. It provides an overview of the global economic system and offers a comprehensive theological analysis of the network of primary institutions that make up what Walter Wink calls the "Domination System." It points readers in the direction of hope based on following the way of Jesus, who lived in nonviolent resistance to the powers of his day. This new, revised edition continues the powerful story of the original, extending the analysis of the global economy from the 2008 collapse and recession to its alleged recovery. It addresses the Obama administration's policies on economics, trade, and the environment, and provides further reflections on American foreign and military policy in this so-called New American Century.
Sharon Delgado is an ordained United Methodist minister, author, speaker, and activist. She travels widely, speaking before spiritual communities and secular audiences on climate change, economic and environmental justice, peacemaking, and corporate globalization. She resides in Nevada City, California. You can find her blog at sharondelgado.org.
"This book is authentic and convincing with personal experience and a great vision. In many corners of the world there is a new paradigm emerging, the earth community and participatory democracy, versus the old, outdated, and destructive paradigm of corporate globalization. Get out of apathy. A better world is possible. I read this book with a moved heart and new encouragement." --Jurgen Moltmann, author of Theology of Hope and Sun of Righteousness, Arise! "This book speaks hard truth to hard power--it's unsparing, and that's what we need. It's also loving in the (not so easy) way that the Gospels are loving." --Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org, author of The End of Nature and Falter "This book doesn't just shake, it rocks! Delgado offers a powerful account, lucid and lyrical, of the crossroads before us: the 'corporate security state' or the better world that is possible. This book makes it a bit more possible. For Christians who care about the earth and about humanity, for students of theology, activists, and church leaders: here is inspiration and information, proclamation and empowerment." --Catherine Keller, Drew Theological School, author of On the Mystery and Cloud of the Impossible "Among the strengths of Sharon Delgado's book is her theological eye for the 'principalities and powers' of our global situation. To the sweep of her social vision, her biblical lens adds depth and dimension. Her capacity to look upon the demonic without flinching is inseparable from our hope in this present age." --Bill Wylie-Kellermann, activist, author of Principalities in Particular "With clarity, nuance, and verbal artistry, Sharon Delgado's Shaking the Gates of Hell offers invaluable guidance to all who seek moral-spiritual wisdom, vision, and power for resisting the demands of the corporate- and finance-driven global economy and forging more equitable and ecological alternatives. Her piercing analysis comes with a moving invitation to join with Jesus in his unrelenting and compassion-driven resistance to systemic powers that thwart God's gracious gift of life in its fullness for all. Holy hope and honesty ring throughout this powerful volume. It is a sign of abiding love and commitment to justice and will nurture both in its readers." --Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and Church Divinity School of the Pacific, author of Healing a Broken World: Globalization and God "Sharon Delgado, ever the prophet calling us back to the way of Jesus, is once again overturning the tables outside the temples of greed and empire. Hers is a vision into a world that can be, indeed that must be if we are to survive. Key is the realization that the idolizing of mammon, through corporate globalization, brings with it climate change, permanent war, and gross inequity. Though the problems are material, the roots are spiritual and so are the solutions. This book is not an easy read but a hopeful and necessary one." --Jim Winkler, president and general secretary of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA "Sharon Delgado's Shaking the Gates of Hell integrates prophecy and action. Delgado shows that unless we learn to shake the gates of the corporate hell taking over the planet, its creatures have no future. Yet, through faith-led, nonviolent resistance, the gates of hell can fall, the reign of God can open up. As Delgado's transforming conclusion at a Cancun WTO meeting shows, anything is possible if we have the faith to join the movement and shake those gates." --James Douglass, peace activist and author of Resistance and Contemplation and The Nonviolent Cross
