James Smith Thesis

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Application of Smith's Main Thesis. James K. A. Smith's main thesis in many of his works, particularly in "Desiring the Kingdom" and "You Are What You Love," is that humans are primarily desiring beings shaped by liturgies or habits. These liturgies are the routines and rituals that form our love and, consequently, our identity. Family: Smith argues that family life is a fundamental liturgical space where habits and routines shape our desires and loves. For example, the daily practices of sharing meals, bedtime routines, and family rituals (like holidays or weekly traditions) cultivate certain virtues and affections in children and adults alike. These practices embed within family members a sense of belonging, priorities, and values that …show more content…

This formation happens through embodied practices and communal rituals, rather than through didactic teaching alone. For instance, regular participation in worship, service projects, and communal prayers can shape the hearts and minds of young people, aligning their desires with the values and mission of the faith community. Vocation/Work: In the realm of vocation and work, Smith suggests that our professional lives are also arenas where our desires are shaped by daily habits and practices. He encourages viewing work not just as a means to an end (e.g., earning a paycheck) but as a vocation that reflects and shapes our ultimate love. Routine practices at work, such as how we interact with colleagues, the integrity we bring to our tasks, and the way we balance work with rest, all contribute to forming our character and desires. Overall Impressions: Having completed the book, I find Smith's insights into the formative power of habits and routines to be compelling and thought-provoking. His emphasis on the embodied and communal aspects of human life challenges the modern tendency to prioritize intellectual understanding over lived

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