My days in elementary school classrooms offer me a priceless window into the minds of young humans. In some ways, the things they value, the hand-holds they grip for meaning and significance, haven’t changed since I was in elementary school. There’s really no such thing as “the good old days.”
Athleticism, confidence, a snappy personality, and an “acceptable” wardrobe ranked just as high in 1969 as they do today, and, like the students I see now, we ranked one another based on valued traits. We also had a pretty way of devaluing anyone who didn’t fit the mold.
The difference I see in children today can be traced to the difference in adults. Somewhere along the way, we’ve lost the cords of truth that anchor our value to our identity as God’s image bearers. We might even believe that we’re living “a purpose-driven life,” but our purpose is likely either internal or horizontal. Without the vertical connection to a Creator who defines meaning, it’s a tough assignment to come up with a solid answer to the question, “What is man?”
Anthropology is the branch of theology that seeks to provide a biblical answer to this question. Are we free and autonomous, masters of our own fate and captains of our souls? Do we have defined limits or creaturely obligations to a Creator or do we, as little gods, define ourselves?
In The Desecration of Man, Carl R. Trueman sets forth a uniquely Christian anthropology that accounts for our privileged position as God’s image bearers. He traces humanity’s rejection of God and our loss of connection to the transcendent through our love affair with technology, the detachment of sex from God’s original design, and the separation of “Christianity” from a robust commitment to the faith. His use of the word desecration forces the reader to do business with the loss we’ve experienced to our personhood and to our connection with a holy God.
In The Desecration of Man, Carl R. Trueman’s use of the word “desecration” forces the reader to do business with the loss we’ve experienced to our personhood and to our connection with a holy God. @penguinrandom
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Rapid changes in our “social imaginary,” including the public acceptance of immorality and the decline in society’s value of life for its own sake, are trail markers on a downward path, so Trueman offers only guarded hope: “The changes in Western society may be happening at a disorienting speed, but the conditions that have led to this moment are many and have been laid down over centuries. There is no quick fix here.“
Even so, I was encouraged by the book’s guidelines for a slow fix, an acknowledgement that “the answer to desecration is consecration.” Consecration must involve both the intellect and the imagination of humanity. Our beliefs shape our worship, and both are crucial for shaping our ethics and our relationships.
Trueman asserts that the church is the most reasonable and obvious place for this chain reaction of rescue to occur, for the claims of Christianity are both corporate and historical. Through prayer, singing, and meaningful dialogue, we affirm the beliefs that tie us back to our Creator and to our true identity as his image bearers. Then, rooted in right belief, we care for one another and extend the love of Christ to the least, the last, and the lost.
The long game of hospitality and ordinary habits of holiness become acts of cultural warfare when we realize that this is how the early church turned the world upside down. (Acts 17:6)
Holding You in the Light,
The long game of hospitality and ordinary habits of holiness become acts of cultural warfare when we realize that this is how the early church turned the world upside down. (Acts 17:6) #TheDesecrationofMan
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Given that I have been thinking about the aging process and crisis, this post gave much food for thought. His assertion the most obvious place for change to begin is in the church is one I agree with. “Then, rooted in right belief, we care for one another and extend the love of Christ to the least, the last, and the lost.” Yes, and Amen!
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Yes, Truman paints a sobering picture of where we are right now, but he gives a realistic vision for restoration. I love how he describes “consecration” as the remedy for desecration.
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Well said – and all so true ~ Rosie
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It was an eye-opening read! So glad I could share it with friends!
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Sounds like Carl Trueman would be an excellent guest for The Trinity Forum Online Podcast for him to discuss The Desecration of Man – and the remedy of consecration! Thank you for sharing such edifying books, Michele.
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I agree! I’ve already heard him discuss the book on a couple of podcasts, and it was a great review of the book’s content.
Thanks for reading!
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Michele, what a timely book, and a discussion much needed today both in the church and society. Couldn’t agree more with the statement, “the answer to desecration is consecration.” Consecration must involve both the intellect and the imagination of humanity. Our beliefs shape our worship, and both are crucial for shaping our ethics and our relationships.” Amen.
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The book was a great response to anyone who’s trying to live by Christian principles and advocate for Christian morality while leaving Christ out of the picture. There were SO MANY great points that I had to be selective in my review. I’ll definitely be rereading the book someday.
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Michelle, thank you for introducing me to Truman’s book, Michelle. Yes, a very timely book! I’m curious if he has written other books prior to this one and if you also read them?
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He has written several others (The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self I think is the most recent?), but this is the first of his books that I’ve read. He’s very prolific and shows up on varioius online platforms all the time. Not sure how he has time to be a college professor too!
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Adding this to my book list!
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Oh. Wonderful! Let me know what you think!
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A timely review Michele!
It’s interesting how many of us are thinking along similar lines. And just how the gap from consecration to desecration is widening. There’s definitely an air of contempt hanging over most Western Socities today for God, His principles & followers.
But God forewarned us this will happen in His Word, & Jesus also warned us, especially the closer the time gets to His return.
Blessings, Jennifer
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Yes, and Trueman is clear that this is not simply a matter of humanity becoming “disenchanted.” It’s a true “desecration” in that we have removed God from the center and placed ourselves there. Frightening…
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I pray that the revival occurring within Gen Z might precipitate a ripple effect into other age groups. From what I understand they are seeking truth, authenticity, and stability in a very unstable world. These entities are what we can offer those around us as the cultural warfare rages.
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That is absolutely SO encouraging, and I have a front row seat with a couple of Gen Z sons and their wives and their friends. They inspire me all the time.
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