Desiring the kingdom

By James K. A. Smith

Book Description

In a world where shopping centers, sports arenas, and academic institutions shape our deepest longings, James K. A. Smith reveals how these seemingly secular spaces function as powerful liturgies that form our hearts and minds. Drawing on Augustine's insight that humans are fundamentally "desiring agents," Smith argues that we become what we love, making the direction of our desires the most crucial aspect of human formation.

This thought-provoking exploration challenges the common assumption that postmodern culture is purely secular. Instead, Smith demonstrates how contemporary institutions create their own rituals and practices that capture our imagination and redirect our affections toward particular visions of the good life. These cultural liturgies compete for our hearts, often leading us away from authentic flourishing.

Rather than focusing solely on intellectual worldview formation, Smith proposes a revolutionary approach to Christian education that recognizes the primacy of desire in human development. He envisions educational practices that serve as counter-formation to the secular liturgies surrounding us, intentionally cultivating loves and longings that align with God's kingdom and its promise of true human flourishing.

Through this lens, education becomes less about transmitting information and more about forming hearts, offering readers a fresh perspective on how spiritual transformation actually occurs in our liturgy-saturated world.