The Devil Reads Derrida - and Other Essays on the University, the Church, Politics, and the Arts

by James K.A. Smith

We hear a lot these days about the quest for alternative sources of energy. Has anyone considered Jamie Smith? This whirling dervish of public philosophy generates enough intellectual energy to supply a middle-size city all by himself. - John Wilson (editor of Books & Culture)

By now, Jamie Smith is not just a leading philosophical or postmodern or Reformed theologian: he is simply a leading theologian. This volume shows that he has not only ascended to that height but also descended to a depth that terrifies most academics journalism. He offers a theology as everyday as the neighborhood, the movies, partisan politics, the university, and the street corner and with a twinkle in his eye he shows us Jesus lordship in each place. I hope others will not just read Jamies book, but will go and do likewise. - Jason Byassee (Center for Theology, Writing & Media, Duke Divinity School)

A notable young voice in the academy, James K. A. Smith has consistently spoken to the church as the most important public for his intellectual work. Bringing together essays both thoughtful and entertaining, The Devil Reads Derrida displays some of Smiths most significant forays into the public arena.

In this engaging work Smith grapples with the Wild at Heart phenomenon and the challenges of secularization, deals with sex and consumerism, and comments on creative works from American Beauty and Harry Potter to A History of Violence and the poetry of Franz Wright. No matter what.

Genres: Philosophy, Theology, Art, Cultural, Politics, Christian, Christianity

185 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2009

Reviews

[John Roberson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic collection of popular essays. Smith accessibly engages real-world stuff like Wild At Heart and The Devil Wears Prada to bring us a theological vision of culture and humanity. While he stands at the intersection of some recent trends -- Pentecostal vigor, Neo-Calvinist culture, Anabaptist politics, Liturgical worship, Postmodern philosophy -- he's after culture that will last.

[Радостин Марчев · Rating 5 out of 5]

Давам пълна петица на книгата не понеже е по-добра от Discipleship in the Present Tense: Reflections on Faith and Culture, а понеже (поне в някои отношения) е по-малко "американска" от нея. Иначе и двете са чудесни.
Ако трябва да опиша с едно изречение The devil reads Derrida - книга напълно лишена от клишета. Джеймс Смит пише провокативно, не се страхува (всъщност ми се струва, че изпитва удоволствие) да сложи пръст върху проблемите и да говори много откровено за тях и в същото време по някакъв свой начин успява да не е нито груб нито заплашителен. Може би защото очевидно говори искрено и с любов. Изказът му е красив и напълно ме спечели за това колко много може да се каже в едно кратко есе от 2-3 страници.
От доста време не съм изпитвал такова удоволствие от четенето на книга. Въведението The Church, Christian Scholars, and Little Miss Sunshine и последното есе Faith in the Flesh in American Beauty: Christian Reflections on Film за мен са почти шедьоври, а няколко от останалите не им отстъпват много.
Темите, които есетата засягат са доста широки - филми като Американски прелести и Дяволът носи прада, християнски масови произведения (съвсем удачна критика на "Диво сърце" на Джон Елдрич и според мен не толкова удачна на Страстите Христови на Мел Гибсън), умен анализ на християнската "левица," кича, връзката между архитектурата и градското отчуждение са само някои от тях. Общото помежду им е, че всички те са разгледане интелигентно (без значение дали човек е съгласен или не с гледната точка) и на език, който говори на съвременните млади хора.
Предполагам, че Джеймс Смит ще се окаже моето лично откритие за тази година. Поне тези две произведения чудесно онагледяват начина, по който винаги съм чувствал, че християнина-интелектуалец трябва да говори (и наистина да има какво да каже). Просто досега съм срещал това твърде, твърде рядко.

[Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are on the middle of a pandemic! So, I thought it would be okay to treat myself to one of Smith’s books this year, and what a treat it was!

These essays offer a condensed version of Smith’s neo-Augustinian/continental project in a way that makes greater sense of his project as a whole. He combines his usual dry wit with his crushing intellect to produce many thought-provoking essays on various occasions.

[Lindsay Robbins]

I was honestly disappointed. I knew Smith was on the more conservative side for me personally, but I was surprised by the lack of intellectually critical content given the subject.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm enjoying Smith's writing these days, and this short collection of popular essays lets Smith follow his own advice to academics: Write for the common man.

I know my Reformed friends tend to look askance at the Dutch / Kuyperian tradition, and it's got its flaws, but I really appreciate Smith's perspective on everything from politics to poetry. He writes with a crisp clarity, and he asks good questions. It's refreshing to read a Christian who not only isn't terrified by postmodernism, he actually sees the value of breaking with Modernist thought.

I nodded a lot during his essays about politics, really valued the piece regarding liberal arts education, and was convicted by the piece on removing ourselves from the separation of suburban life so we can actually have neighbors to love.

Recommended essays:
Teaching Calvin to Dance: On Being Reformed and Pentacostal
The Architecture of Altruism: On Loving Our Neighbor(hood)s
Are Students "Consumers"?
Christian Worship as Public Disturbance
Faith in the Flesh in American Beauty: Christian Reflections on Film

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smith is a caliber of Calivist, public intellectual that we could use more of. Unlike many in the neo-puritan movement Smith is loathe to waste his days in internal ecclesial wrangling (see Bell, Rob) and is quick to point out shoddy eeevangelical cultural analysis (see his essay in this book on John Eldredge and his later review of McCracken's Hipster Christianity. Smith is constantly identifying concepts and physical practices that can help the church maintain fidelity to Jesus in contemporary western culture. Highly recommended.

[Catherine Gillespie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a series of smart and readable essays, Smith takes on cultural blindspots that afflict Christians and non-Christians alike. He challenges our cultural mindset on things like partisan politics (of either party), patriotism, movies, pop literature (Christian and secular), poverty, neighborhoods, consumerism and ambition, and many others.

{Read my full review here}

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent selection of Jamie's journalism. The Christian would do well to get acquainted with his work through this archival publication. Doing so could inspire much more scholarship. It has for me. For the non Christian it will do well to shine a light on a real biblical perspective of faith and culture. Maybe even give eyes to see and ears to ear. Shalom.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Any such collection will have highs and lows. There are some great essays in here. Especially good are the ones on education, American Beauty, and The Passion.

Worth a look.

[Jonathan Hiskes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I especially like his call for Christian scholars and writers to do their work in public, not in the arcane cloisters of academia.

[Guanhui · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jamie Smith demonstrates that Christian scholarship does not take place in a cloister, separate from the world, but in engaging with culture and taking it by its horns.

[Jenni · Rating 3 out of 5]

J

[Peter Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great selection of short essays. Thought provoking and good for munching on, like the baby carrots of books.

[Rafael Sales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gostei muito do livro, mesmo que não concorde com todas as ideias desenvolvidas pelo autor, o livro gera vários pontos de reflexões em temas pertinentes. Instiga a análise.