Recommendation #18 comes from the leader of CMYK church in Billings, MT. I attended CMYK before leaving on My Adventure. I also attended there for the last 2 months while I helped my parents move. It was a great church. You can get popcorn at the morning service. You can add on a beer if you attend the Sunday night service. More importantly though, CMYK is a church that focuses on being Open, Honest, Loving, and Present. I will be sad to leave this church when I move, but I’m so thankful that this community exists and is welcoming of all individuals.
Recommendation #18 from Matt Blakeslee
The Idolatry of God by Peter Rollins
Per Amazon, “Whether readers are devout believers or distant seekers, The Idolatry of God shows that we must lay down our certainties and honestly admit our doubts to identify with Jesus. Rollins purposely upsets fundamentalist certainty in order to open readers up to a more loving, active manifestation of Christ’s love.
In contrast to the usual understanding of the “Good News” as a message offering satisfaction and certainty, Rollins argues for a radical and shattering alternative. He explores how the Good News actually involves embracing the idea that we can’t be whole, that life is difficult, and that we are in the dark. “
Another transformational book in my life, I resonated with Rollins’ explanations about a deeper type of faith and belief. A faith that says, “You can’t be fulfilled; you can’t be made whole; you can’t find satisfaction.
“At first this can sound like anything but good news; however, once we are freed from the oppression of the Idol, we find that embracing and loving life–with all its difficulties–offers a much deeper and richer form of joy. The Good News is not simply a confrontation with the reality that total fulfillment and certainty are not possible but rather found in the joyful embrace of this insight. An embrace that robs the reality of its oppressive sting.
God has confirmed the above quote over and over in my life, especially in the past 3 years. I’ve come to terms with the end of my relationship and the beginning of my life after. I’ve found the joy that comes from just living, and appreciating, LIFE.
“But interestingly, within the Christian narrative, becoming like God would mean embracing our humanity. For this is what we see in the Incarnation. Becoming like God would mean affirming our finitude, celebrating our limits, and accepting we are immersed in mystery. These are not signs that we’ve somehow failed to touch the heart of faith; instead, facing their reality demonstrates courage and faith. Indeed, it is a sacred act that is not something we do TO our faith, but is an expression OF our faith.
Check out The Idolatry of God if you are interested in a compelling view on how to approach The Good News of Christianity. Rollins does not disappoint. And hopefully this song won’t disappoint you either. It’s from an artist that has had several songs in my playlist. This song comes from this month’s Fellowship playlist.