Review: Embracing Obscurity: Becoming Nothing in Light of God’s Everything
Had a chance over the weekend to take a look at a challenging book with an interesting concept. Embracing Obscurity: Becoming Nothing in Light of God’s Everything might be the most counter-cultural idea I’ve seen. Maybe ever. It also might be the most needed. At a minimum…it’s right at the top of the list.
The premise? In a world that celebrates celebrity and notoriety, Facebook friends and Twitter followers, being somebody…we follow a humble King. Really, all one has to do is read Philippians 2:5-10 to get the gist of the idea. The problem is that all of us are almost oblivious to the struggle.
It is a challenging issue. It is one that might already be part of your notion of a chasm to be crossed for any sincere Christ follower. But it’s one we rarely dwell on for any length of time.
I like the way that Embracing Obscurity wades bravely into unknown waters. It’s not a hard read in one sense. There aren’t philosophical or theological ascents that require Miroslav Volf or Helmut Theilicke. Everything is right on the lowest shelf from an intellectual standpoint. The problem comes when you have to own the problem! Arrgh…that makes it hard!
Every chapter is followed by a challenging set of questions that make it possible for a group to discuss the implications. Trust me…there are some softballs mixed in with some that are just nasty (in a baseball sense). Head high. 101 miles an hour. You’ll want to be wearing a helmet.
No DVD. No leader’s guide. Embracing Obscurity isn’t for everyone. But let me tell you this. If you’re looking for a challenging read that will reframe normal for the members of your group…don’t miss this one.
