Most Impactful Book I Read This Quarter:
The most impactful book I read this quarter was The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman. It was not an easy read because it was woven with arguments that require the reader to pause, reflect, question, research, rinse and repeat. Due to its richness, Trueman has also written a more accessible version: Strange New World: How Thinkers and Activists Redefined Identity and Sparked the Sexual Revolution.
Both books discuss the symptoms that created the ideas now dominating Western culture, most powerfully seen through the sexual revolution. Here is a question he uses to put the reader in the frame of mind that will prepare them to think without jumping to conclusions or being emotionally manipulated into a position:
Why does the sentence “I am a woman trapped in a man's body” make sense not simply to those who have sat in poststructuralist and queer-theory seminars but to my neighbors, to people I pass on the street, to coworkers who have no particular political ax to grind and who are blissfully unaware of the rebarbative jargon and arcane concepts of Michel Foucault and his myriad epigones and incomprehensible imitators?
Understandably, even raising this question publicly puts one in danger of being labeled intolerant — another idea dealt with in the book — but regardless of one's position on issues such as transgenderism, it is a question worth looking into.
Favorite Idea: Deathwork
“Deathwork” was first used by Philip Rieff, a sociologist, and cultural critic. It refers to the desacralization of symbols or ideas held in high regard by a previous era. They represent “an attack on established cultural art forms in a manner designed to undo the deeper moral structure of society.” The goal of a deathwork is to “make the old values look ridiculous. They represent not so much arguments against the old order as subversions of it. They aim at changing the aesthetic tastes and sympathies of society to undermine the commands on which that society was based.”
Rieff always used Andres Serrano’s picture, Piss Christ, to illustrate what deathworks are. In this portrait, a crucified Jesus — a symbol of great importance for many bygone eras and existing groups — is being sprayed with urine. A powerful way of profaning what many regard as sacred.
Deathworks are subtle but intentional ways of subverting, ridiculing, and defiling existing orders to establish new ones. As such, other deathworks include the rainbow, a sign of God’s covenant, now popularly used by the LGBTQIA+ groups as their official “logo.” Pornography is also a deathwork, as it takes the idea of sex — an act considered highly sacred by many cultures — and dirties it.
This idea was significant to me because of an appreciation of the power of symbols in our Western context. It is easier to convince someone of an idea by presenting a powerful symbol or image to them than through argument. For, as James KA Smith points out, humans are not primarily thinking things but we are “desiring animals” that are pulled by our loves; symbols play a powerful part in shaping those desires. Therefore, to teach a generation that Jesus Christ and his crucifixion are ridiculous ideas, it is more effective to take Serrano’s approach than to write a book about it.
I’ve since begun to notice deathworks all over the place.
Why You Should Read It
The ideas in this book challenge what many people take for granted (on both sides of the spectrum), and that is why it should be read. As Christians, we are called to represent a new and everlasting order to the current order; part of this representation requires critical and theological critiques that would enable us to speak with compassionate wisdom to those who are being carried by the waves of modern ideas without being aware of their implications. Both versions of this book will be a challenge to read; the alternative is to continue with uninformed judgments. Take up and read.
Big Ideas This Quarter: Discipleship as Salvation and Manna
Salvation as Discipleship
From October through the end of November I preached a series called “The Easy Yoke.” (You can find the sermons here.) In this series, my goal was to explore how discipleship to Jesus is actually the means through which we experience his salvation.
Unfortunately, many view discipleship as an option for those who want to become professional Christians, and many have contented themselves with being Christians without being disciples.
In the series, I surveyed the various incomplete gospels that have been popularized in the last few centuries. I also taught on the importance of coming to know God and the world as Jesus did. Then we looked at what it means to be human and the role of the disciplines for the spiritual life in discipleship to Jesus.
This idea — discipleship as salvation — is the sole reason I am a minister. I believe that discipleship to Jesus is the best opportunity presented to humanity because it leads us to actually become truly human, like Jesus. I hope to continue to improve on the ways I communicate these ideas and express their truths through my own discipleship relationship to Jesus.
The Lesson of Manna
In the Lord’s Prayer, we say, “Give us this day our daily bread.” This is a clear allusion to God’s providing manna in the wilderness. The manna was not merely to make sure the Israelites had food for the day, but its main goal was to teach them that God is dependable. It did so by giving them a daily rhythm of trust that would strengthen their faith muscles. Then, when the manna stopped coming, they would continue as people that count on the dependability of God in all they do.
Often, we are in similar relationships with God. While there may not be the physical manifestations of manna, we find ourselves in situations where we are forced to rely upon God for things we could previously take care of without thinking. Perhaps it is a loss of finances, sickness, job loss, new job, whatever it is, you find yourself needing to depend on God more than before.
If you are in the place, count it all joy and learn the lesson God is trying to teach you. It is easy to complain in the wilderness, but doing so keeps your eyes on what is missing rather than on the present opportunity.
As a pastor, I sense that many are in this type of season. We have been too; so let’s journey forward into a deeper awareness of the omniscient God as our helper and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.
What I'm Currently Thinking On/Prepping For
Where are the Men?
Why aren’t men generally active in church? And why do churches generally need to create events + Jesus for men to participate?
Golf trip + Jesus, Camping + Jesus, Watch sports + Jesus. But if a Bible study is announced, or a prayer meeting, one can easily — and accurately — predict 10 women to each man that shows up.
What happened?
Unhurried Retreat
On January 27th, my church will be hosting an “Unhurried Retreat.” The goal of this is to provide people, through lessons, skits, and table talk, an opportunity to take a look at their lives.
I’ve written before about wanting to help people who feel caught in the cultural zeitgeist of hurry, worry and fear. This is one of the first events where we will do this.
Please pray for me. I feel anxious about this… that wicked voice of imposter syndrome has been speaking loudly in my ears.
What’s Around the Corner
Books I’m Reading
The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
An Immense World by Ed Yong
Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers
A Return to School
Next year, by God’s grace, I’ll be returning to school to pursue a doctoral degree. Stay tuned, and say a prayer for me. I don’t want to return to school if it also means going into debt. I’m trusting that God will provide, as is his way.
Random Thought
At the beginning of this year, in a text exchange with my friend, I declared that it would be my Micheal Jordan year, because 2023. With that declaration came the goals of writing a book, losing weight, making more money, etc.
Last week I text the same friend, “I didn’t know my Jordan year we be the Jordan that played for the Wizards!” 😂
Although I missed badly on some of my goals, I know that I have grown deeper in the Lord. This has been my most heartfelt prayer, and God has been answering it in ways I couldn’t have anticipated.
This quote from @worshipblog on Instagram rang true for me:
To that I can only say,
Lead on, O King Eternal,
We follow, not with fears,
For gladness breaks like morning
Where’er Thy face appears.
Thy cross is lifted o’er us,
We journey in its light;
The crown awaits the conquest;
Lead on, O God of might.
Thank you all for subscribing to my Substack. I look forward to sharing more content to help you live steadfastly in the Kingdom of God.
Love the post.
That's it....
Appreciate your transparency and devotion to God's calling.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
When I read this recap this morning the thought that immediately came to my mind was “He’s swimming against the current”.....and I thank God that you are. May God continue to bless you Meshach and my prayer is that He will continue to use you to help lead us out of OUR wilderness.