Veneer: Living Deeply in a Surface Society

by Timothy D. Willard, R. Jason Locy

Our lives are full of scars, quirks and insecurities we have learned to hide in favor of a more glamorous veneer we hope the world finds more acceptable. This is the modern tragedy. We have forgotten that like the stress-lines and fractures of antique wood, these imperfections in our lives are what make us beautiful. 

Abundant living is more than a wall-post existence. Rich relationships are more than trends, status updates and group invitations. But neither are possible until we allow ourselves to be fully known, imperfections and all. Only then will we come to experience the life we are meant to live. 

As authors Tim and Jason explain, the Creator's idea of humanity is quite different from the world's. It is also far more rewarding. This life begins when we dare strip away our veneers and enter a life of freedom, honesty and rare beauty.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian Living, Christianity, Spirituality, Theology, Christian, Religion

272 pages, Hardcover

First published April 15, 2011

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the premise of this book, and it sounded interesting. However, as I read, I couldnt' get into it. In part, it felt like it was full of contemporary references designed to make it seem relatable. I'm not sure why I didn't like it. In part, it felt like the book was trying to challenge the reader's mindset, but in a vague way and without guidance about HOW to achieve what they thought should be achieved. In the end, I didn't feel compelled to finish it, especially with so many other books to read.

[Naomi]

Received on 2/25/13.

[Debbie Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was like a surprise treat hidden inside a cupcake! The format and the way the content was created was a little different than I was used to so it took me a couple of chapters to really get into it and realize how much I was enjoying it. After that, I could not put it down. This book really is an eye-opener as to the surface society that we live in and allow ourselves to adapt to and even become emerged in without even realizing it. Willard and Locy offer invaluable insight as to how we can fight past the world that we all will spend our lives in, in order to live a godly way that honors not only our Father--but ourselves and others. So much was brought to light for me in this book, and I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to examine their heart and their living circumstances (as well as priorities and patterns).

[Jaron Brandt · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The trials of life should not cause us to veneer. Instead, they ought to free us. We should stand unashamed before the world, bruised and battered, yet moving from glory to glory."

"But as well-seasoned monologuers, we must drop the act and everything that goes with it. We must allow ourselves to be stripped down so we are unencumbered by our barking lines."

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

The prelude and first chapter were good and worth a read, but the rest was disappointing.
I wanted this book to be better than it was. I totally agree with the concept and the main message, but for some reason I just didn't enjoy reading this, nor feel I gained much.

I think I was frustrated with the writing style, especially all the paragraphs cluttered with too many short quotations.

[A · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too generic and same-old same old… not much new when it comes to theology, spirituality or orthodoxy… not as deep as I was expecting

[Jason Comely · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars. Overall, I found Veneer a thoughtful book with a powerful message.

[J.C. Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent premise and great information, however, I felt the book got long in the teeth and struggled to close. Had some excellent takeaways and overall enjoyed the read.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I loved about 2/3 of the book, it just felt a bit samey at the end.

[Sherre Hulbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in 2011. I think the surface society in 2023 is way beyond what was in 2011!

[Raine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Veneer is a must read if you know people that have a thick veneer or if your brave enough to admit that you might have one also.




Veneer addresses the fact that we have grown use to people having false identities. Ones that they have created by either showing us by their actions, interests, desires or by what they have chosen to tell us . People veneer themselves in order achieve recognition from the world by enhancing their outer appearance, living in a new and up coming neighborhood, working at a certain job, liking the "popular people" in movies, magazines and television. The heaviest "Veneer" we put on ourselves is what we tell OR don't tell the people in our lives about ourselves. People seem to always be looking for the next best thing, some fame to show that they are suppose to be here or that they have left their mark on society. Some people achieve this "fame" by having Face book, Twitter, blogs. They create the person that they want to be, the identity that they think others will like, respect or love. What are we left with? Lots of broken, unhappy, veneered people that have lied about their whole life. They are still left wondering why they feel so unfulfilled so insignificant. They have not grasped that what they are really searching for are "real, honest, deep" relationships.

God has a fierce love for humankind. In that fierceness we realize that we are born from God. God wants us to build our love on sacrifice, putting others before ourselves- this is a hard concept if you are a person living a veneered life. God wants us to be living real, honest, deep relationships where we show our real selves to others. We are to look at other people as a part of ourselves- when we see friends it should be like looking at our family that we are related to by blood. Their struggles should effect us as much as our own struggles because we are all ONE family. The family of God. Are we meeting those needs of our family members ? Do we pass it off for someone else to take care of? We are to go into the world and to behave in a way that brings praise to our Father in heaven. We are to make it our purpose that EVERYTHING we do and say brings glory to our Father. Is this how we are living our life? Or do we have a little too much veneer?

Society is commonly cheap.

We meet at very short intervals not having had time to acquire any new value for each other.

- Henry David Thoreau, Walden

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book beautifully describes the ugliness of the society we have built for ourselves. It is timely and I was impressed with the breadth of quotes, from G.K. Chesterton to Ray LaMontagne to Kierkegaard to Sleeping at Last.

I do wish that the call to action was more involved and practical. It felt as if the book was 75% diagnosing the problem and interjecting loosely fitting analogies and illustrations, and only 25% what now. But I think that is a common problem with books, and when we become passionate about something we typically feel more fervor for calling out the issue than calmly prescribing the cure. I am certainly at fault for this regularly.

All in all, I recommend it, especially for my young friends whom I get to serve with on a daily basis.

[Milan Homola]

This book was really what I needed. At a time when I feel like what it means to be a follower of Christ is more defined by the things and world around me...I needed to be stretched. This book does a great job of naming the problem. It gives wonderful analogies and great stories that will make you think. The solution isn't as well developed...but then again thats probably the point...its a journey and the solution is never a veneered cookie cutter approach...we have to pursue deeply without easy 10 step plans.

[Kate Templeton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good read. I don't usually read non-fiction books quickly because I like to read a little then let it simmer...but I realize that I don't usually let it simmer and end up not finishing a lot of the books I start. So I decided to read this one straight through in order to finish it, and I do feel like I got insight from it and it let ideas/thoughts slosh around in my brain. It has some good words on living authentically in our society. It's an easy read and I think it's inspiring. I recommend it!

[Dora · Rating 2 out of 5]

Growing out of a concern for what Brenan Manning observed about our culture: "It is not that I am afraid to tell you who I am; I truly cannot tell you because I do not know myself who I am," the authors talk about a renewal of life on the basis of Christ as center. The book itself was easy to read and included numerous analogies and Biblical passages on which the authors hinged their discussion.

[Shantanu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This brand new book by Timothy Willard and Jason Locy confronts us with realities so many of us face from day to day - the need to recognize and strip away the many cultural veneers we've applied over the years and to rediscover our personal and collective identity in God - the real me. They do so by helping readers to discern the interplay between the language of culture and the language of God and how the former often silences the latter.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Veneer starts off as, ironically, a very surface book: we live in a surface culture, we're fascinated with celebrities, hooked on money, addicted to things that can't satisfy, etc. Yeah, we know all that. But then the book does go deeper, much deeper, focusing on real truths that we can't ignore. Press on through the first couple of chapters - it's definitely worth your time.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't say I came across any particularly new or insightful concepts while reading this book, but I appreciated the premise (see subtitle) and was drawn in by the writing style of the authors. It was a quick read and I finished the book feeling encouraged + inspired. I wouldn't say life-changing, but certainly thought-provoking.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Veneer was written by two guys who appear to have spent years meeting for breakfast and coffee, had thoughtful, challenging conversations, and thought "maybe we should write this down." The main premise is familiar-you've probably had numerous conversations on the same theme-but the book was well-written, sincere without being overly earnest, and kind-hearted.

[Ben Zajdel]

This is a great book by two great authors. They focus on stripping our outward facade and allowing God to reveal what lies beneath. Eloquently written, there are tons of relevant quotes, poetry, and stories that will keep you thinking.

This book is a real thought-provoker. It will convict you, causing you to ask yourself what you truly find important in life.

[Pam Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book - short, sweet and to the point. But I'll admit it shook me up more than I was anticipating. Definitively something I would recommend reading with others. I think you could spend a lifetime unpacking everything in this little book - and I will need to read it again to get a better handle on all the possible implications. Suffice it to say, it really got me thinking.

[Cj Rey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of truth in this book. I found it very convicting. Makes me want to live a better life. And I was delighted to learn that Eddie Vedder was a source of inspiration. "If you don't know who you are, figure it out, cause you are somebody."

[Mike Gurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Locy and Willard painted a beautiful picture of life lived without pretense and transparency in our realtionship with God and others. Great book! Highly recommended!

[Jimmy Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a very good read. It had a very interesting style of writing and I loved it. It asks some good questions and made me think about myself, and how I fit into the veneer of life.

[Doug]

great, insightful book about how we live, and should live...

[Jonathan Ingraham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written in a simple way to help the reader understand the complexities of our hearts. Worth the read. Great for book discussions.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book that puts life into perspective. Makes you think. I really enjoyed meeting Jason Locy. Great guy.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept but the book was too philosophical in tone. I wanted to read something with more practical application to it.

[Sandra Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is awesome!

[Gisèle Uwobahorana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good and refreshing!!
Jesus is ALL in ALL!!