Desiring The Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, And Cultural Formation (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
"I couldn't put this down" is not exactly true of this tome, but it is a spot-on descriptor of how I felt about it. I could not wait to pick it up again when I did set it down. This book clarified many things for me and opened a new pathway for my thoughts to explore. According to James K.A. Smith, I am not simply a thinking being, nor am I subject to my beliefs. I am, in fact, a being that desires something.Smith challenges (and, in my case, expands) thinking about who we are and why we do what we do. While his focus is on church practices and Christian education, he exposes hidden dangers in our secular arenas. This book challenges me to change: sometimes I need to drop inherited, antiquated thought on some things, but other inherited, antiquated thoughts I should never have abandoned.It fundamentally changed how I think of worship and education: both big because worship is a huge part of my life and I am a public school educator.For a book that shifts my philosophies, it was a mighty easy read.Read it. I think you'll be glad you did. This book is about how we love before we think, so rather than focusing on worldview as 'thinking rightly about things', we should be careful to love the right things. The author presents several secular situations as opportunities to love and worship, such as the shopping mall, where we are ushered into a lovely space and presented with various opportunities to satisfy our wants and needs. Of course, we don't realize that our affections and appetites are being shaped and confirmed by such situations, which makes them extra-dangerous! I confessed to a friend that I was hoping for a final chapter that gave practical tips on creating powerful liturgies that would captivate everyone's hearts in a powerful way, but I knew that wasn't going to happen. Instead, I am challenged to think about what I am loving, what I am loving in community, and what liturgies have captured my own heart. What comes to mind are the Wednesday nights that I spend with my friend Jeanne at her dining room table, discussing Bible study, drinking wine, laughing, praying. A picture of heaven. God is so good to give me these glimpses of heaven, leaving me ever more desirous of His kingdom!
What do You think about Desiring The Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, And Cultural Formation (2009)?
Smith is onto something important. His application needs beefing, but his thesis is sound.
—Raggety
Opened my eyes to a whole new way of seeing the world and formation. A must read.
—alexreeves
Loved this book and what Jamie Smith has to say about worship and liturgy.
—Lauryn
Lots of good ideas, but too esoteric to be very enjoyable to me.
—ifdk
