Veneer

Sociologists describe culture in analytical categories, psychologists probe into the inner worlds of the current generation, and philosophers question the prevailing ideas and push us to think again. The pastor’s responsibility is to put this altogether and compelling for the church. Every now and then some sociologist ties culture to faith, as Peter Berger or Christopher Lasch or Charles Taylor. But even when this has been done, we need sharp-eyed pastors to push the insights of the theorists into the world of the church.

Tim Willard and Jason Locy’s new book, Veneer: Living Deeply in a Surface Society has done just that. But this is no textbook. Instead it is a book to read in small chunks … pondering the ideas and the stories and the reflections. What the two authors do is peel back the layers of our superficiality, and they do so from the angle of those who are pressed to acknowledge where culture is taking them. What is offered here is a cultural theology, a theology that pushes us through and beyond culture into the goodness of God and magnificence of God’s glory and grace. What we find here is that the pain of our life is numbed by the chasing of cultural codes.

We move through the language of culture to the language of God.

What are the major themes of our culture? What directions does it take us?

Instead of analytics, we get symptomatic stories and reflections. Studies of the language of culture: (1) celebrity and fame, (2) consumption, technology and (3) the myth of progress leads to fundamental inversion in the world … and then the authors take us through these three languages of our culture to the satisfying language about God, magnificence, relationship, transcendent love … and we are challenged to the uncommon way. To find our identity in God.

Here’s a fantastic angle on a real issue: “Nothing seems real. The fake feels real, and so the real seems unbelievable. All of society looks upside-down… a counterfeit world” (88). Familiarity with culture turns culture inside out to reveal the underbelly and reveal that there’s too much veneer, not enough reality, and not enough of what authentically matters.

So what can we do?

1. Pursue renewal in our relationship with God and in personal relationships.
2. Pursue renewal of your life purpose.
3. Pursue renewal in your reverence for God by countering idol worship.
4. Pursue renewal in what and in whom we find reliance.
5. Pursue renewal as a member of God’s family, the church.

And …

6. Exchange dissatisfaction for gratitude.
7. Exchange getting for giving.
8. Exchange hype for reality.
9. Exchange transaction for relation.
10. Exchange the common for the extraordinary.

What I really care most about this book is what 20somethings think about it. I truly wonder if this isn’t a cultural theology written from within. Make sure your youth pastor has this book — and make sure, too, that your pastor has it. And if you are a pastor this book just might establish the themes for a series on God vs. culture.