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In Don't Follow Your Heart Thaddeus Williams debunks the trending cult of self-worship. He marshals arguments from scripture, science, philosophy, psychology, and pop culture that a self-centered existence is dull, inauthentic, and ultimately self-defeating.
About the author
Thaddeus J. Williams (Ph.D., Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam) loves enlarging students’ understanding and enjoyment of Jesus at Biola University in La Mirada, CA, where he serves as associate professor of Systematic Theology for Talbot School of Theology. He has also taught Philosophy and Literature at Saddleback College, Jurisprudence at Trinity Law School, and as a lecturer in Worldview Studies at L’Abri Fellowships in Switzerland and Holland, and Ethics for Blackstone Legal Fellowship the Federalist Society in Washington D.C. He resides in Orange County, CA with his wife and four kids.
Summary
Why chasing after expressive individualism, experiences, and desires always fails to deliver on its promise of happiness.
Today we are told to be true to ourselves, look within for answers, and follow our hearts. But when we put our own happiness first, we experience record-breaking levels of aimlessness, loneliness, depression, and anxiety. Self-centeredness always fails to deliver the fulfillment we're seeking.
In Don't Follow Your Heart, Thaddeus Williams debunks the "ten commandments of self-worship," which include popular propaganda, like:
- #liveyourbestlife: Thou shalt always act in accord with your chief end—to glorify and enjoy yourself forever.
- #followyourheart: Thou shalt obey your emotions at all costs.
- #yolo: Thou shalt pursue the rush of boundary-free experience.
Williams builds a case that this type of self-worship is not authentic, satisfying, or edgy. Instead, its rehashing what is literally humanity's oldest lie. He calls on a new generation of mavericks and renegades, heretics who refuse to march in unison with the self-obsessed herd. With a fascinating blend of theology, philosophy, science, psychology, and pop culture, Williams points us to a life beyond self-defeating dogmas to a more meaningful life centered on Someone infinitely more interesting, satisfying, and awesome than ourselves.
Featuring stories from Carl Trueman, Joni Eareckson Tada, J.P, Moreland, Josh McDowell, Alisa Childers, and more."Following the herd is leading our generation off a cliff. Maybe a little heresy can do us a lot of good." —Collin Hansen
