Tim Baker - Jesus is for Liars. A Hypocrites Guide to Authenticity

ZONDERVAN

Jesus Is for Liars: A Hypocrites Guide to Authenticity
Copyright 2009 by Tim Baker

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ePub Edition November 2009 ISBN: 978-0-310-60002-2

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Baker, Tim, 1965
Jesus is for liars : a hypocrites guide to authenticity / by Tim Baker.

p. cm.

ISBN 978-0-310-28363-8 (pbk.)

1. Christian teenagersReligious life. I. Title.

BV4531.3.B34 2010

248.83dc22 2009044666

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, Todays New International Version. TNIV. Copyright 2001, 2005 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Interior design by Mark Novelli, IMAGO

For those who arent afraid to consider that God might not
be exactly what weve always expected.

CONTENTS

. Heres a Sandwich
(Can someone snap my picture?)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

A Christian book about spiritual authenticity is almost certainly one of two things. Either its the writers perspective on what it takes to be, for lack of a better phrase, just like Jesus, or its a reaction to everything that writer has ever been taught or been living. The book youre holding is more the second one. Im not trying to tell you how to live as much as Im reflecting on how Ive lived and thought about God, and what we can learn from that.

So Id like to say hi and thanks to all the people who have helped make me the person I am today. Thanks to all those who have shaped my theology and have listened to me talk through my ideas about God and my thoughts about Christianity. There have been a lot of youhundreds of students and many friends. You know how I tend to think with my mouth and not with my head, sothanks for listening to me think. You know who you are.

My family has sacrificed so much as Ive written this book. Its taken me about a year to sort out my thoughts, and in that time, Ive ignored my kids way too much and taken my wife for granted far too often. So thanks to Jacqui, Nicole, Jessica, and Jacob for letting me go for just a bit to write down some thoughts on spirituality. Kids, I hope these ideas will fuel your walk with Jesus.

A Christian book about spiritual authenticity is almost certainly one of two things. Either its the writers perspective on what it takes to be, for lack of a better phrase, just like Jesus, or its a reaction to everything that writer has ever been taught or been living. The book youre holding is more the second one. Im not trying to tell you how to live as much as Im reflecting on how Ive lived and thought about God, and what we can learn from that.

So Id like to say hi and thanks to all the people who have helped make me the person I am today. Thanks to all those who have shaped my theology and have listened to me talk through my ideas about God and my thoughts about Christianity. There have been a lot of youhundreds of students and many friends. You know how I tend to think with my mouth and not with my head, sothanks for listening to me think. You know who you are.

My family has sacrificed so much as Ive written this book. Its taken me about a year to sort out my thoughts, and in that time, Ive ignored my kids way too much and taken my wife for granted far too often. So thanks to Jacqui, Nicole, Jessica, and Jacob for letting me go for just a bit to write down some thoughts on spirituality. Kids, I hope these ideas will fuel your walk with Jesus.

I dont have an office, so I probably ought to thank the places Ive officed while writing this book. Thanks to Carls Jr, Arbys, Roxies Caf, Wendys, The Java Lounge, the Downtown Coffee Caf, a few hotels, and the many other places that have let me sit and write for hours. Its probably a good idea for me to thank coffee in general, since I consumed nearly an entire field of beans while I wrote this book.

Book editors serve as invisible servants. You never know theyre there, and if youre ever reading a book and notice the hand of an editor, youve just read the work of a very bad editor. My friend Doug Davidson is easily the best book editor Ive ever worked with. Doug and I shared lunch at the Fort Worth Stockyards when we were nearly done with this book. We ate Dirty Burgers, swatted at bees, and enjoyed some root beer and good music. DougI love you, and not just because you rock out on lead guitar. Thanks for all the gentle coaxing and hard work. If this book reads right, its because you worked your caboose off.

Youth Specialties was kind enough to buy this book based solely on the idea, and in the process of completing this book they have been wonderful. Roni Meek, youve been patient beyond patient. And Jay Howver, thanks for listening to this and buying into it. You YS folks know what youre doing, and Im thankful youve allowed me to contribute to your good work.

And finallyyou, the reader. I want to acknowledge the role youve played in my process of writing this book. Weve never met, but knowing that youd be reading these words has had a profound impact on what Ive said. Ive tried to be careful, to not say too much bad stuff, to build in the right amount of God-stuff so you know Im a Christian, but also enough other stuff to help you understand that the word Christian doesnt really answer all the questions about what it means to follow Jesus.

Thanks for the time youre investing in reading this. Feel free to chat back to me about what youve read. Email me at tim@timbaker.cc, or connect with me on Facebook.com/timbaker1.

A t a time when most American churches are on a journey toward bigger, better, and more expensive, our church is small. I guess we have about 150 people most Sundays. Our worship music is typically a blend of traditional songs and choruses, backed by our very skilled piano player, a talented bass player, and a few other musicians. The preaching is good, but probably fairly typical. We are not cutting edge. Were not heavy on drama, and we dont invest in those catchy worship movies. We are not emotional. We talk a lot before and after worship, but were pretty quiet during the service. In fact, if anyones talking during the service (other than the preacher), its probably me. Im the usher who asks about your week as I pass you the offering plate. Ill talk to you while Im passing you the body of Jesus or the blood of Christ. I am not particularly outgoing, but in this quiet, introverted environment, Im often the life of the party.

We recently rearranged our worship seating into a circle. It was an effort to help all these introverts look at one another while worshipping and celebrating communion, recognizing that we are, in fact, the body of Christ. I thought this was a great idea, at least in theory. But on one particular morning recently, the change wasnt working for me. Maybe I was just tired; Id been up late the night before. But I felt terribly uncomfortable looking at everyone singing and taking communion. I was not into the momentmentally, emotionally, or spiritually. The more the service went on, the more I didnt want to be there. I imagined myself running from the room, screaming in frustration and anger because I wasnt connecting, tipping old ladies over and knocking down children in my desperate attempt to leave the Jesus Arena.