Counterfeit Gods- Tim Keller's New Book

I have been waiting for this book for twenty years.

In the late eighties, Richard Keyes wrote an extended essay on Idols called, “The Idol Factory.” For me, it was breakthrough.it created a way to engage Scripture with real life in a way that I had not encountered in the past. In 1992, it appeared in No God But God: Breaking With the Idols of Our Age. Keyes work showed the power of idols, not just as graven images that ancients bowed down to but as oppressive inordinate desires within our own hearts that ruled over us and shaped our identities. In doing this, he removed idols from their place as obsolete relics from the past and revealed the haunting dilemma of modern man- we all have functional gods that we serve and they are the result of our out-of-control-desire to find an identity that will satisfy us. In short, Keyes showed that the "god problem" that post-enlightened man thought he had shed was merely hiding within the human heart. Suddenly, Donald Trump's work obsession, Madonna's intense desire to be a success and Michael Jackson's inability to come to grips with his own body image became relevant public symbols that the Bible was revealing as the true gods of our age.

At the same time, David Powelson developed a penetrating approach to counseling using a technique that I have come to be referred to as idol theory. His essay, Vanity Fair: Idols of the Heart he showed (just as Keyes had) that our idols were the result of inordinate desires that ended up enslaving us rather than fulfilling their promises to bring us freedom.

During this time, while I was studying at The King's College, Tony Carnes (who then chaired the department of Solciology) used God and idols to approach a Christian view of sociology. He was friends with Tim Keller and went to Tim's church (Redeemer Presbyterian in NYC). After I graduated, my wife and I began to attend Redeemer in NYC.

One Sunday in 1993, I sat down in the Hunter College Auditorium in NYC (where Redeemer had just moved) to hear Tim Keller preach at the 4:30 service. In the middle of his sermon, Tim began to preach on God and idols. I nearly dropped to the floor. I had heard idols mentioned in upper level sociology classes and discussed them in relation to a Christian approach to sociology over a beer with friends. Idols mentioned in obscure journals and in counseling friends about the nagging sins that resulted from idolatry was on thing. But, to sit there in NYC, as a young hungry intellectual, amidst like 600 twenty somethings, and to hear Tim clearly explain the power that the Gospel has to reveal and remove idols was amazing. It was like seeing BMX get to the olympics!

More than twenty years later, Tim has published his third book. Counterfeits Gods is extraordinary. Unlike the niche of intellectuals to whom Reason for God is written, this book is designed for everyone. And rightly so since every human heart is swimming with false gods that are promising fulfillment and offering despair. If you chose to read this book, be prepared to be disenchanted by the power of false gods and to be enchanted by the power of the true God.

Tinted Windows- STOCK!

My daughter refers to music that lacks the excellence and creativity that will make it a classic as "stock." When I received Tinted Windows in the mail from a friend, I scanned threw the tracks. My instant read on the band was, "Sounds like the Tubes, or maybe Cheap Trick... very mid eighties." Ok, so tonight I listened to the whole album. In terms of song writing the whole album is about teenage angst and the inability to understand the basics of relationships and or the opposite sex. But this is not a boy band (guys in their 30's and 40's should not be referring to their wives? as "my cha cha.") There really is nothing here that will make you a better person. Musically, the band sounds like a combination of eighties and nineties rock- that is because it is. Of course, this could create a really dynamic sound. After all, the band combines members from bands that include Smashing Pumpkins, Fountains of Wayne, Hansen, and Cheap Trick. But, in the end, it is just STOCK. Guys, drop the yeah yeahs and the ooh oohs and the na nah's and the whole I can't get over losing you's and make a mature album.

Exploring Belief and Unbelief

For the past month I have been exploring a set of arguments against religion in general and Christianity in particular by "The New Atheists." The phrase doesn't describe their argument as much as their style, approach, and stance toward religion. Put quite simply, the new atheists hate religion, have charisma, and know how to market the legitimacy of their claims through "lifestyle politics." Bill Maher for instance, a savy, bright, and funny guy, calls religion a brain disease. Because the volume of material in question is greater than I could include in a post, I have started an informational blog called, Balam's Ass. My hope is to post resources that help folks interested in the claims and counter-claims of belief in God to be able to have a clear and well-ordered portal in which to gain more knowledge about these new kids on the intellectual block.

Outliers- Moses and Such

I have always wanted to use the phrase and such and now I have done it! If you grew up in Western PA, then you are wondering, "what is so exciting." Well, and such is an anomoly to this region. People will throw in an and such when describing something that they do not want to extend a lot of energy on. I was going downtown to see the Steeler play an such. And, we couldn't find a parking spot. Something like that, and such. Speaking of anomolies, Malcom Gladwell's book, Outliers is a book worth reading. It shows how the anomolous people in or culture- those who achieve greatness, do so because of a variety of circumstances outside of mere genius and natural talent. Here is a great interview to wet your whistle.

The Ragamuffin Gospel

In the late eighties, Brennan Manning spoke at my college (The King's College). After his talk, I left staggered. He was brilliant, humble, down to earth, and deeply knowledgeable of the Gospel of Grace. I immediately read his book, The Ragamuffin Gospel. A few years later, Catherine (my wife) and I would read Lions and Lambs together while dating. Since then, Brennan has written Ruthless Trust and The Furious Longing of God and has traveled the world as a ragamuffin evangelist. His words and work are incredibly relevant today and I would encourage anyone who has lived with the context of a strict religious environment where grace was absent or anyone who has lived within a strict religious environment where grace was cheap, to consider reading some of Brennan's work. it will do your soul well.

Justification by grace through faith is the theologian's learned phrase for what Chesterton once called "the furious love of God." He is not moody or capricious; he knows no seasons of change. He has a single relentless stance toward us: he loves us. He is the only God man has ever heard of who loves sinners. False gods — the gods of human manufacturing — despise sinners, but the Father of Jesus loves all, no matter what they do. But of course this is almost too incredible for us to accept. Nevertheless, the central affirmation of the Reformation stands: through no merit of ours, but by his mercy, we have been restored to a right relationship with God through the life, death, and resurrection of his beloved Son. This is the Good News, the gospel of grace. Brennan Manning (The Ragamuffin Gospel)

No Greater Love: Gran Torino

Growing up, my step-dad (dad to me) used to quote a variety of lines from cowboy, action, and car chase movies, One of his favorites was the Clint Eastwood line from Sudden Impact, "Go ahead, make my day."

Watching movies with dad was an important part of our relationship and I treasure the times we went to the theater to watch films like Rocky, First Blood, Walking Tall and Dirty Harry and Crazy Mary (a 70's B movie). As I look back, I realize that almost all the movies my dad really liked were movies were a man made a strong stand against tyranny or corruption in the midst of huge amounts of personal sacrifice. As I look back my dad's life so far, I realize that the stories that he loves are stories that he has lived. Perhaps not with a gun in his hand (maybe a shovel or a lug wrench!), but definitely with a stance against tyranny and corruption and a willingness to sacrifice tons for his family and the people he has called friends and neighbors.

When I recently watched Gran Torino, tons of memories of watching Eastwood films with dad came back to me. And, when the film ended, I realized that it was a fitting example of the life of my dad- a life of sacrifice and valor (fought out in the garage and on the front lawn) for what is good, and right and true.

If you have not seen Gran Torino, watch it. Excusing the language, it is an amazing film about what it means to be a man (an American man) who loves through his life and actions far more than his words and intentions.

WORD FM: The Richness of Relationships

On Friday, July 10th, at 5:10 I will be on the John and Kathy show (101.5 Word FM). We will be talking about the richness of relationships (as in human contact, human service, the human family, etc) in a world that presses us to make power, prestige, possessions, and experience or main priorities. 

The subject for this show came to me after hearing Shannon Tanner sing the Trace Adkins Song, Your Gonna Miss This while I was on Vacation in Hilton Head Island, SC. All of us grown men sat there crying and I thought, "Yup, this is what it is all about. We just need to store up our treasures in heaven by investing in the people we love and the people we live with and around. That is what makes life rich."

Tune in Live by clicking HERE

ASA Anglican Spirituality in America

My father-in;law is an Anglican Bishop (Martyn Minns). It's funny because there will be times when I say to Catherine (his daughter), "Oh, I will just call Martyn about..." and she will say, "Oh, he is in Nigeria. You can't get in touch with him. He will be back..." Nigeria is like Ohio in the new Millenium and as the Episcopal Church goes the way of the Unitarians who fled from Christianity two centuries ago, I think we will begin to see more and more from our brother and sisters in Africa and Asia.  This week, I put a video Mash-up together using a new artist that I heard on 91.3 WYEP. Her name is ASA and her music is beautiful spiritual and provocative. Here are two songs that are getting a lot of coverage. Oh and I posted my new video mash-up as well. I dedicate it to three warriors of Anglicanism in our generation- Archbishop Peter Akinola, Archbishop Robert Duncan, and Bishop Martyn Minns.

Mavasio-Like Tom Waits and Smooth Jazz

Alright, I have been listening to a lot of Malvasio lately. He has a great vocal quality and interprets songs in an incredibly creative way. From Bert B to Amy Winehouse.

Check out his version of Mad World by Tears for fears

Bent

Jay Slocum

I live in a bent world.
I live in a land were everything is crooked.

But, it is not that simple.
For, I can tell that this world was not always bent.
It is as if the trees are crying out.
They are screaming to be unbent.
Every rotting stump.
Every fallen branch.

And yet my people keep telling me that this world is not bent.
They say that the world was meant to be this way.

Well, I know this is not true.
I will tell you that I have seen the clouds ripped open.
I have seen the clouds fall away and I have seen the sun shine through to cast light on all things.
And in seeing this, I have turned from the shadows of the cave that I once lived in.

I have seen little babies wrap their tiny fingers around their daddies hands, and without speaking, but, with deep longing in little eyes they say,
“Daddy, I was not made for this bent world. I was made to be loved by you.”

I have seen weddings where eyes have met, with a hope so strong, so new, so brilliant that no one could imagine that this bond could be broken.

I have seen people, both young and old, pulled down into the waters, blessed waters, and brought back up, cleansed and as new as the light of morning.

I have seen old broken drunks, come wrestling with the fumes that are seeping from their bones.
I have seen them turn to the light.
I have seen them embrace the real world.
The world that refuses to believe in the bent as normal.

These instances I hold so deeply in my hands, in my heart, in my head.
I cannot escape them. They are just as powerful as all of the tragedies:
the Columbines, the Jeffrey Domers, the natural born killers, the crack addict next door.
But, the news papers cannot see these events, these amazing events. Events of healing, miraculous appearences. It is not turning water to wine. But, it is just as miraculous. Maybe more so, that God could act in the ordinary things; in addictions, in cleansings, in hand holding.

I believe that this world is bent, but we were not made for a bent world. Oh, how i wish that you could see what I see.

Miriam lulls me

A man holds his boys hand, and does not let go…