Lighting A Fire You Are What You Love - James K.A. Smith
28 snips
Jan 26, 2021 
James K.A. Smith, a philosophy professor at Calvin University and writer on Christian formation, dives into the depths of discipleship and identity. He critiques the notion of 'Brains on a Stick' Christianity, emphasizing that love—not just belief—shapes true faith. Smith discusses how our daily practices, even mundane habits like smartphone use, reveal our true devotions. He advocates for a 'liturgical audit' to discover what we genuinely love and stresses the importance of integrating discernment and ancient wisdom into modern Christian education.
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Thinking Isn't Enough For Formation
- Thinking the right things doesn't guarantee loving what God loves.
- Formation must recruit affections and habits, not only deposit propositions.
Parenting Revealed Formation Gaps
- James noticed his Christian-raised teens absorbed cultural forces despite thorough religious education.
- That gap pushed him to emphasize formation of desires and habits over mere intellectual instruction.
Liturgy As Love-Shaping Practice
- Liturgy simply names love-shaping practices: rhythms, rituals, and routines.
- These practices aren't neutral because what we do each day trains our affections and longings.
