James K.A. Smith is a prolific thinker and renowned author whose work spans the realms of philosophy, theology, and cultural criticism. With a distinct ability to synthesize complex ideas and communicate them in a relatable manner, Smith has captivated readers from various disciplines and backgrounds. His work delves into the intersections between faith, culture, and human identity, exploring the profound impact that our habits, practices, and liturgies have on shaping who we are at our core. In this interview, we have the opportunity to dive deeper into Smith’s thoughts and gain a greater understanding of how his ideas can transform our understanding of the world around us.
James K.A. Smith, born in 1970, is a renowned philosopher, cultural critic, and author whose works have transcended disciplinary boundaries. With a deep understanding of the intersections between faith, culture, and human experience, Smith has made significant contributions to various academic fields, including philosophy, theology, and ethics. He is known for his engaging and accessible writing style, making complex ideas relatable and applicable to everyday life. As an influential public intellectual, Smith has challenged contemporary assumptions and offered profound insights into the nature of human desire, the role of imagination, and the shaping power of culture. Through his compelling arguments and thought-provoking analysis, James K.A. Smith continues to inspire readers to critically examine their own beliefs, engage with the world around them, and pursue a more thoughtful and holistic understanding of what it means to be human.
10 Thought-Provoking Questions with James K.A. Smith
1. Can you provide ten You Are What You Love by James K.A. Smith quotes to our readers?
You Are What You Love quotes as follows:
a. “To be human is to be a lover. We are not primarily thinkers, or believers, or even doers; we are lovers. That’s what defines us.”
b. “We were created to worship, and if we don’t worship God, we’ll worship something else. Just look at what captures our hearts and imaginations.”
c. “Habits and routines shape our hearts and ultimately determine what we love. They are the rituals that point our desires in a certain direction.”
d. “Our hearts are molded by the liturgies we participate in – the repetitive practices and rituals that shape our habits and affections.”
e. “Our ultimate goal is not to change people’s minds through argument, but to capture their hearts through the power of worship.”
f. “We are not just thinking things who gather here to get some information. We are instead desiring animals who gather to be formed.”
g. “Faith formation is not primarily about acquiring knowledge; it is about cultivating a love that shapes our desires and actions.”
h. “Our loves and desires are not neutral or accidental; they are deeply influenced and shaped by the cultural practices we engage in.”
i. “We are shaped by what we love, not just by what we think or know. Our desires and longings matter deeply for who we become.”
j. “We are never only thinking things or only desiring animals. We are a complex amalgam of thought, feeling, and action.”
2.What inspired you to write “You Are What You Love”? Can you share the story behind the book and explain why you felt compelled to explore the topics within it?
“You Are What You Love” was inspired by my conviction that our loves and longings shape who we are as human beings, more so than our rational beliefs alone. I believe that our desires, habits, and practices are formative and ultimately define our identity. Drawing from the philosophy of Augustine and the insights of modern neuroscience, I wanted to understand how our everyday liturgies— repetitive practices that shape our hearts—shape our ultimate beliefs and character.
The story behind the book begins with my observation that many churches seem more focused on transmitting information and beliefs than on nurturing a deep love for God and neighbor. I felt compelled to explore why this was the case and offer an alternative vision. In my research, I discovered that our cultural practices, such as the constant exposure to consumerism and the pursuit of self-fulfillment, subtly shape our desires. Recognizing this, I wanted to help readers reorient their desires towards a love for God and the flourishing of others.
Ultimately, I wrote this book because I believe our deepest desires and loves matter, and understanding them is crucial for shaping our character in a transformative way.
3.Your book challenges the notion that humans are primarily thinking beings, instead arguing that we are fundamentally lovers—oriented by our desires and longings. Can you discuss some of the key insights and implications of this perspective for shaping our lives and communities?
My book presents the idea that human beings are not primarily thinking beings, but rather fundamentally lovers, driven by our desires and longings. This perspective has profound implications for shaping our lives and communities. Understanding that our desires and longings shape and direct our actions allows us to re-evaluate the narratives and practices that form us.
Firstly, this calls into question the modern idea that education and information alone can transform individuals and societies. Instead, we should recognize the transformative power of liturgies and rituals that capture our hearts and shape our desires.
Furthermore, recognizing our status as lovers challenges the prevalent belief that we are autonomous individuals. Instead, we are inheritors of certain communal identities and practices that shape our desires. This understanding encourages us to engage with and challenge the cultural practices that shape our desires, seeking to align them with the virtues and values we hold dear.
Ultimately, recognizing our fundamental nature as lovers calls us to attend to the formative power of habits, practices, and communities. By intentionally engaging with transformative rituals and cultivating communities that shape our desires towards the good, we can lead more flourishing lives and contribute to the building of healthier, thriving communities.
4.”You Are What You Love” emphasizes the role of habits and rituals in forming our loves and desires. Can you elaborate on how individuals can cultivate habits that align with their deepest values and aspirations, as outlined in your book?
In “You Are What You Love,” I emphasize that our deepest desires and values are not formed solely by intellectual beliefs, but are shaped by our habits and rituals. To cultivate habits that align with our deepest aspirations, we need to intentionally create practices and routines that shape our loves in a desired direction.
Firstly, this involves recognizing the formative power of habits and intentionally evaluating our current practices. Are our habits leading us closer to what we value? If not, we need to identify habits that can replace or reshape the ones that are misaligned.
Secondly, we must engage in intentional repetition, by consistently practicing the habits we desire. This repetition solidifies new patterns and gradually redirects our loves.
Thirdly, we should seek out communities and environments that support and reinforce our desired habits. Surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals who share our values can encourage and sustain our cultivation of habits.
Ultimately, the formation of new habits is not about willpower alone, but about immersing ourselves in a transformative process that aligns our habits with our deepest values and aspirations.
5.In your book, you critique the idea of the “secular liturgy” and the cultural practices that shape our affections and beliefs. Can you provide examples of how individuals can discern and critique the cultural narratives that shape their identities and desires?
In my book, I critique the idea of the “secular liturgy” and highlight the cultural practices that shape our affections and beliefs, ultimately influencing our identities and desires. It is crucial for individuals to discern and critique these narratives in order to understand and navigate the forces that shape us. One example of how this can be done is through self-reflection and examination. By taking the time to reflect on our own desires, preferences, and behaviors, we can begin to identify the cultural narratives that have influenced us. This involves asking ourselves questions like: What do I believe about success and happiness? What values and ideals do I prioritize? Who or what shapes my identity and sense of worth? Another example is engaging with alternative narratives and perspectives. We can seek out diverse voices, readings, and conversations that challenge our cultural assumptions and broaden our understanding of the world. By doing so, we open ourselves up to critique and can cultivate a healthy skepticism towards the dominant cultural narratives that may shape us in unhealthy or unhelpful ways. Ultimately, discerning and critiquing these cultural narratives allows us to intentionally choose and shape our own identities, desires, and beliefs in light of our deepest convictions and values.
6.Your teachings often emphasize the idea of worship as a formative practice that shapes our loves and loyalties. Can you share practical strategies for readers to cultivate a worshipful posture in everyday life and orient their hearts toward the ultimate source of meaning and purpose?
To cultivate a worshipful posture in everyday life and orient our hearts towards the ultimate source of meaning and purpose, I would suggest a few practical strategies. Firstly, we should intentionally engage in corporate worship, gathering with fellow believers regularly to sing, pray, and participate in the sacraments. This forms us in a communal way, reminding us that we are not alone in our pursuit of God.
Secondly, we should develop personal habits of prayer and Scripture reading. These practices ground us in the truths of the Gospel and create space for us to encounter God in a personal way.
Thirdly, we should pay attention to the liturgies of our everyday lives. Our daily routines, from our morning rituals to our habits of work and rest, can be infused with intentionality and purpose. By seeing these ordinary activities as opportunities for worship and offering them to God, we reshape our loves and loyalties.
Finally, we should seek out opportunities for service and acts of love towards our neighbors. Engaging in acts of compassion and justice aligns our hearts with God’s heart for the world and helps us live out our worship in tangible ways.
7.”You Are What You Love” offers guidance on reorienting our desires and affections toward the Kingdom of God. Can you discuss how individuals can participate in the life of the Church and engage in practices that deepen their love for God and neighbor?
In “You Are What You Love,” I argue that our ultimate identity is rooted in what we desire and love. To reorient our desires and affections toward the Kingdom of God, individuals can engage in transformative practices within the life of the Church.
First and foremost, regular participation in communal worship is crucial. Liturgical practices such as singing hymns, confessing our sins, receiving the Eucharist, and listening to Scripture shape our imaginations and recalibrate our desires. Through these practices, we encounter and experience the love of God, nourishing a deep affection for Him.
Secondly, engaging in disciplines such as prayer, fasting, and meditation allows for personal communion with God. These practices cultivate a longing for His presence and enable us to align our desires with His.
Additionally, serving our neighbors in practical ways, practicing hospitality, and participating in the Church’s mission fosters a love for both God and neighbor. As we act in obedience to Christ’s command to love others, our affections are directed towards His Kingdom and the well-being of those around us.
By intentionally participating in these practices, individuals can deepen their love for God and neighbor, aligning their desires with the Kingdom of God. In doing so, they become agents of transformation in the world, reflecting the love of Christ to others.
8.Your book explores the concept of cultural liturgies and the formative power of everyday rituals and routines. Can you provide examples of how individuals can intentionally design their environments and routines to foster habits of virtue and flourishing?
In my book, I delve into the notion of cultural liturgies, recognizing that our everyday rituals and routines shape us in profound ways. To intentionally design environments and routines that foster habits of virtue and flourishing, individuals can employ various strategies.
First, individuals can curate their physical spaces to prompt desired behaviors. For instance, creating a dedicated space for reading and reflection can encourage the habit of learning and contemplation. This could involve setting up a cozy reading corner or keeping a curated bookshelf.
Second, intentional scheduling plays a crucial role. Planning regular times for exercise, family meals, or communal activities can cultivate virtues like discipline, hospitality, and social connection. Being mindful of our use of time allows us to prioritize activities that contribute to our well-being.
Third, intentional rituals can be established. For example, a morning ritual that involves meditation, prayer, or journaling can orient us towards gratitude and spiritual growth. Similarly, establishing rituals around mealtime can foster appreciation, community, and a healthy relationship with food.
Overall, intentional design of our environments and routines involves recognizing the formative power of everyday practices and intentionally incorporating activities that foster virtues and flourishing.
9.”You Are What You Love” presents a vision for holistic spiritual formation that integrates heart, mind, and body. Can you describe the transformative journey that readers can embark on by applying the principles outlined in your book?
In “You Are What You Love,” I present a transformative vision for holistic spiritual formation that invites readers to engage their heart, mind, and body in a unified journey towards living faithfully in the world. By emphasizing the power of our loves and desires, I encourage readers to critically assess the cultural liturgies shaping their lives and redirect them towards the Kingdom of God.
Through intentional practices and rituals, readers can reorient their hearts towards what truly matters and become fully engaged in a transformative journey. By immersing ourselves in the Christian story, participating in worship, and adopting spiritual disciplines, we can align our desires with God’s desires for us. This involves a reordering of our habits and routines, redirecting our attention and affections towards God’s kingdom.
As readers embark on this journey of love and formation, they will experience a deepened relationship with God and a heightened awareness of his work in the world. They will find themselves not only thinking differently but also acting differently, as their loves and desires become aligned with God’s purposes. This transformative journey offers readers a profound opportunity to grow in faith, becoming more fully human as they participate in God’s redemptive mission.
10. Can you recommend more books like You Are What You Love?
a) “Desiring the Kingdom” by James K.A. Smith: This book serves as a precursor to “You Are What You Love” and delves deeper into the philosophical and theological aspects of human desire and worship.
b) “The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg: Offering an intriguing exploration of the psychology behind habit formation, this book examines how our habits shape our identity and ultimately influence our actions.
c) “Soul Keeping” by John Ortberg: In this impactful read, Ortberg explores the importance of nurturing our souls and cultivating a deeper connection with God, emphasizing the significance of what we love and how it transforms us.
b) “The Pursuit of God” by A.W. Tozer: As a classic spiritual text, Tozer’s book invites readers to reevaluate their desires and seek a more meaningful relationship with God, emphasizing that our pursuit of Him is vital for our spiritual growth and fulfillment.
a) “You Are What You Read” by Jodie Jackson: With an emphasis on the media and information we consume, Jackson’s book stresses the significance of shaping our desires and worldview through conscious choices, highlighting the impact of reading on personal transformation.