Don't Follow Your Heart: Thaddeus Williams Interview
Sep 21, 2023
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In this episode, Becket Cook interviews Dr. Thaddeus Williams, author of 'Don't Follow Your Heart: Boldly Breaking the Ten Commandments of Self-Worship.' They discuss the weight of creating and sustaining our identities, the dangers of self-worship, and the need for iconoclasts who refuse to conform. They explore the paradox of hedonism and the pursuit of happiness, the transformation through faith in Christ, and the release of Dr. Williams' book.
Self-worship is not authentic or satisfying but instead robs us of awe.
Relativism diminishes our courage to fight against injustices and stand up for what is right.
Deep dives
The New Decalogue of Self-Worship
In this podcast episode, Dr. Thaddeus Williams discusses his new book, 'Don't Follow Your Heart,' which explores the 10 commandments of the cult of self-worship. These commandments include living your best life, embracing the new and rejecting the old, obeying your emotions, defying others' expectations, pursuing boundary-free experiences, trusting yourself as the ultimate authority, inventing and advertising your own identity, forcing the universe to conform to your desires, and celebrating all lifestyles and love lives equally. Williams argues that this culture of self-worship is a new religion that robs us of true joy, courage, and a sense of a greater purpose.
The Paradox of Hedonism
Williams explores the concept of the paradox of hedonism, which suggests that the more we seek happiness and self-gratification, the more miserable we become. He cites social science research to support this claim and argues that our fixation on our own happiness leads to anxiety, depression, and a lack of true fulfillment. Williams emphasizes that true satisfaction comes from making God the center of our existence and finding awe in something greater than ourselves.
Rejecting Relativism and Embracing Courage
Williams discusses the danger of relativism and how it makes us cowardly. He highlights historical figures who fought against injustices like slavery and Nazis, and argues that their courage came from their belief in objective moral standards and a greater good. Williams asserts that relativism robs us of the courage to stand up for what is right, as we are trapped in our own subjective perspectives rather than aiming for something greater.
The Loss of Adventure and Meaning in Self-Worship
In the quest for self-fulfillment and self-definition, Williams argues that self-worshipers lose the sense of adventure and purpose in life. He uses examples from popular culture and literature to illustrate how embracing the ideology of self leads to a lack of meaningful goals and a stagnant existence. Williams encourages readers to reject the self-worship mindset and find purpose in following God's heart.
In today’s episode, Becket chats with Dr. Thaddeus Williams about his new book, “Don’t Follow Your Heart: Boldly Breaking the Ten Commandments of Self-Worship.” We were never meant to bear the impossible weight of creating and sustaining our identities, but with the steady stream of propaganda telling us to be true to ourselves and live our best lives, it's no wonder many of us are. In Don't Follow Your Heart, Thaddeus Williams builds a case that self-worship is not authentic, it's arrogant. It is not satisfying, it robs us of awe. It is hardly new and edgy, but is hopelessly traditionalist, rehashing what is literally humanity's oldest lie.
As he explores the Ten Commandments of Self-Worship, Williams calls for a new generation of heretics, iconoclasts, renegades, mavericks, and rebels who refuse to march like good little cows, mooing in unison with the herd. He points us to a life beyond the boring, conventional, and self-defeating dogmas of self-worship and shows us how much more meaningful a life centered on God can truly be. Thaddeus William's Website: https://jointheheretics.com/
The Becket Cook Show Ep. 137
This Episode of The Becket Cook Show is available on YouTube