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Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters |  | Author: Timothy Keller
Publisher: Dutton Adult
Category: Book
List Price: $19.95
Buy New: $10.51
as of 3/11/2010 22:30 PST details
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Seller: OB1S
Rating:  40 reviews
Sales Rank: 394
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 240
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 7.2 x 5.3 x 1
ISBN: 0525951369
Dewey Decimal Number: 241.3
EAN: 9780525951360
ASIN: 0525951369
Publication Date: October 20, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | ISBN13: 9780525951360 | | • | Condition: NEW | | • | Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark. |
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| • | Kindle Edition - Counterfeit Gods | | • | Audio CD - Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters | | • | MP3 CD - Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters | | • | Audio CD - Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters | | • | Audio Download - Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters (Unabridged) | | • | Audio CD - Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters |
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Product Description
The New York Times bestselling author of The Reason for God and The Prodigal God and a nationally renowned minister, Timothy Keller exposes the error of making good things "ultimate" in his latest book, and shows readers a new path toward a hope that lasts.
Success, true love, and the life you've always wanted. Many of us placed our faith in these things, believing they held the key to happiness, but with a sneaking suspicion they might not deliver. The recent economic meltdown has cast a harsh new light on these pursuits. In a matter of months, fortunes, marriages, careers, and a secure retirement have disappeared for millions of people. No wonder so many of us feel lost, alone, disenchanted, and resentful. But the truth is that we made lesser gods of these good things -gods that can't give us what we really need. There is only one God who can wholly satisfy our cravings- and now is the perfect time to meet him again, or for the first time.
The Bible tells us that the human heart is an "idol- factory," taking good things and making them into idols that drive us. In Counterfeit Gods, Keller applies his trademark approach to show us how a proper understanding of the Bible reveals the unvarnished truth about societal ideals and our own hearts. This powerful message will cement Keller's reputation as a critical thinker and pastor, and comes at a crucial time-for both the faithful and the skeptical.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 40
 A Necessary Message: Halt our Idol Factories March 8, 2010
Conrade Yap (Vancouver, BC Canada)
Tim Keller has done it again. If the 'Reason for God' is geared toward skeptics and questioners of the Christian faith, 'Counterfeit Gods' is aimed at the uninitiated with regard to the pervasiveness of idols in our society. From non-church to church, the symbols of idolatry are everywhere. The primary cause is not the external idols per se. This is because the human heart is essentially a 'idol factory.' Things do not become an idol by themselves. They turn into idols when man pledge allegiance to them. Keller argues a 2-prong approach to tackle the problem of counterfeit gods. Firstly, one needs to identify what they are. Each person needs to recognize the idols in their hearts. Secondly, weeding the idols away is not the end. There need to be an intentional focus back to the Hope of the world, God in Christ.
Keller is meticulous in his search for idols in our age. From the traditional Money, Sex and Power forms of idolatry, Keller probes even deeper into the hidden ones, even Christian Ministry types can become idols in their own right.
I find this book very refreshing. It comes down hard on things that we often take for granted. He helpfully reminds us that it is not the 'bad' stuff that we can conveniently call idols. He reminds us that it is usually the 'good' stuff that we become unconsciously devoted to, that they become idols without us being aware of. This is an important and necessary message in a world indoctrinated with survival and success matters. When we become addicted to the 'good' things we think we are doing, we become a tool for manufacturing idols not just for ourselves but in stumbling others as well. Such an important message needs to be emphasized over and over again. Thanks Keller for the timely message.
conrade
 Worth the Read, Especially for Students February 17, 2010
Brian Chang (Los Angeles, CA)
Keller delivers a great read with "Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope That Matters". Known for his great writing skill and intellect, Tim Keller continues to produce biblically sound material that strikes at the heart. Keller is precise and careful, aware of how the human heart responds to the stimulus of this world. He defines a counterfeit god as "anything so central and essential to your life that, should you lose it, your life would feel hardly worth living." The book examines five main idols that face Christians and non-Christians today including love and sex, money, and success and power. Using a blend of real life examples (and shocking ones at that) and bible stories, Keller meticulously leads the reader into evaluating these issues from God's perspective. The perfect blend of modern-day and biblical stories are used to translate biblical principles into the language of our contemporary consciousness.
Keller courageously tackles the issue of religious idols. He looks at the scarcely examined idol of doctrinal accuracy and moral self-righteousness in a very understandable manner. A great storyteller in his own right, Keller relays the story of Jonah and goes beyond the usual plotline that children often hear in Sunday school. He examines the depth of Jonah's religious idolatry, something that is often forgotten or overlooked. I found this chapter very helpful in examining my own heart issues, my own idols and my own fears. It was encouraging to be able to acknowledge my own shortcomings and be set on a path to replace my own idols with the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.
One of the most convicting chapters, especially for college students like myself, is his chapter titled "The Seduction of Success." In it he describes the deception of success in this particularly chaotic and backwards time. Keller uses the oft read yet rarely examined passage in 2 Kings 5:1-14. He looks at the successful life of Naaman, noting his backwards approach to God's sovereign blessing. It was eye-opening to witness the impact that success truly has upon a person's life and the blindness it inflicts. Especially in a society where students are pushed to the limit for the sake of a career or job security, Keller's chapter on success was a humbling, paradigm-shifting experience. After reading this chapter, I see our world and it's culture for what it is in opposition to the promises of God.
Though I haven't read Keller's previous two books, if Counterfeit Gods is indicative of the insight he brings I'll be sure to pick them up sooner rather than later. This book was extremely helpful in identifying my own idols. Keller provides insight, biblical support, and solutions that are God-centered. This is a book for all Christians and non-Christians alike because we all struggle with idols that negatively affect our spiritual lives. I would specifically recommend this book to college students based on the content. Keller articulates his points in an intellectual manner which is appealing to Christians who think faith concepts are too watered-down in most books. If you're hoping to be challenged spiritually and intellectually, you've met your match in this book.
on target! February 14, 2010
D. Manske (Minneapolis, MN)
Once again, Keller tells it like it is for the American Christian, unpacking some cultural aspects and calling the American church to authentic godliness. I've already recommended it to key leaders around me, and passed on my own copy (I'll get it back).
Very thought provoking February 12, 2010
Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA)
This book is the latest work by the illustrious author and pastor, Timothy J. Keller. In it, Pastor Keller looks at how as our society has moved into its post-Christian phase, it has embraced various ideas that it has raised to the level of idols - things that it worships without realizing the affects that such worship produces. And, in the recent times, these idols have been shown to have feet of clay, not living up to their promises, but producing defeat, emptiness and loss.
Overall, I must say that I thought that Pastor Keller did a great job of showing how such things as money or power or success, or love or sex, have become overwhelming desires for so many people (whether they realize it or not!), and how they just do not provide the nirvana that one hopes to receive through them. I must say that it even shook some of my own comfortable assumption that I have been holding without thinking for many years.
This is a great book, one that I think everyone could benefit from reading. I found it very thought provoking and am very glad that I read it.
Exposing & Replacing Idolatry February 10, 2010
Erik Raymond (Omaha, NE USA)
Tim Keller is one of those pastors/writers that has the unique ability to articulate central and crucial biblical themes in clear and practical terms. He has been a significant blessing in my life and ministry over the past several years. Until recently this impact was restricted to his online sermons and various journal articles. Now Keller is turning out books like Windows updates. And he is not loosing his ability to amplify substantial themes.
In his latest book Counterfeit Gods Keller endeavors to identify, expose and answer some of the more `famous' idols in our culture.
What is an idol? Keller writes, "It is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs you heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give." (p.xvii)
Furthermore, Keller demonstrates that these idols are often misunderstood and unidentified in our lives:
We think that idols are bad things, but that is almost never the case. The greater the good, the more likely we are to expect that it can satisfy our deepest needs and hopes. Anything can serve as a counterfeit god, especially the very best things in life. (p.xvii)
Throughout the book Keller goes after the popular and pervasive idols in our lives (ie money, sex, power, success, etc). Many of these chapters hurt. They hurt in a good way. But that is not enough. Keller, ever the pastor, goes after the hidden idols in our lives. This is great. But still more, (thankfully), Keller provides the answer to the idols by showing the proper response to the only gift that truly satisfies the longings of the human soul. God provides Jesus Christ to be our chief joy and delight. It is Christ that is received with repentance and rejoicing.
One thing that I really appreciate about this book is the way in which Keller puts the various idols in a historical narrative. This is really where Keller is at his best. He takes a familiar 'story' and shows how the individuals in the account where stealing glory from God by their idolatry. This shows not only the timeless nature of idolatry but also the timeless answer. Our transcendent longings are answered by a transcendent God.
I highly recommend this book for Christians of all stages. It is book that is truly helpful. In true Keller style, he leads you through the narrative and teaches you before you even realize that you are being taught. You come out knowing yourself better, your Bible better, and treasuring Christ more.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 40
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