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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: $11.08
as of 11/23/2009 16:22 MST details
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Seller: OB1S
Rating:  16 reviews
Sales Rank: 239
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 240
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 5.1 x 1.1
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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| • | Audio CD - Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters | | • | Kindle Edition - Counterfeit Gods | | • | 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 16
 Another Gem From Keller November 23, 2009
Joel S. Frady (USA)
Counterfeit Gods is a brief (177 pages) but powerful book on the idol factory that is our hearts. Tim Keller masterfully shows through the study of several Old Testament stories the idolatry of our hearts that manifests itself in areas like sex, money, success, and political power. I thought the most valuable chapter, however, was the chapter on the Hidden Idols of our lives. This chapter combined a brilliant analysis of the story of Jonah with an incisive look at the cultural idols we hold as Americans. Keller is especially effective in this chapter at revealing the idolatry that comes through religion, where belivers substitute many things (answered prayer, worship experiences, service) for following Jesus.
Tim Keller is a great gift to the Church. I believe he is at his best when he connects the stories of Scripture to contemporary life.
True Hope in a Time of Recession Depression November 17, 2009
J. R. Cunningham (Knoxville, TN)
There is a prevalent darkness and gloom over the economic landscape. Our fortunes have reversed. Our retirements are gone. Our careers have crumbled. The news is full of gloom, doom, and uncertainty. In "Counterfeit Gods" Tim Keller explains how we got here and the only way to real hope. We made gods of our careers and wealth, sacrificing everything on the alters of attaining, achieving, and enjoying. These gods have proven themselves to be powerless and empty. They can not satisfy the deep, eternal longing of our souls and this is a day of reckoning. Keller invites us back into relationship with the One True God. This is a timely read that I highly recommend to everyone looking for light in this current darkness.
 Nothing new November 15, 2009
Lynn Baber (Poolville, TX)
Mr. Keller delivers on his title and confirms what many know, that idolatry is alive and wears many faces. The author is an excellent writer and makes his case well. However, he used a little creative license when connecting certain scriptures to his discussion of idolatry. If you know you have a problem there is little here to assist you.
A Helpful Book for Churches November 13, 2009
Fred D. Mueller (New Jersey)
This book is quintessential Keller. The theme of idolatry (expecting from anything other than God what only God in Jesus Christ can give) is a frequent one in his preaching - and powerful. I am a Protestant pastor, and I believe the great value of this book is in helping modern American Christians understand that idolatry is a great trap for us all. In the simplest and clearest terms, Timothy Keller demonstrates how modern "gods" such as success, money and sex detrhone God and set themselves up in his place.
The book has great merit in that it recontextualizes idolatry. That is, it takes something from the ancient world of the Bible - namely idols of wood and stone - and shows how the idols of today have the same power. So while we may not be bowing down to idols depicting gods, we can easily be giving our lives over to things which take God's place.
This is a clear and powerful book, easy to read, that is convincing in its central theme.
A Disappointing Follow-up November 13, 2009
C. Coulter (Washington DC Metro)
I feel as though I am being generous with the star rating I have assigned this. Take that with a grain of salt. Over all, "Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters" by Timothy Keller lacks the bold sense of delivery that animated "The Reason for God". There seems to be little spark. Many of the points made here feel overly obvious. The work, however, is, in some ways, a bleak piece, as Keller no doubt intended. But taking on this subject matter without communicating quite enough the upside of bypassing these false promises feels like a tedious enterprise. Efforts are made to communicate life change when one acquires faith. But the efforts feel intellectual rather than emotional and descriptive. Whether you are a person of faith or not, that materialism and empty sexual encounters represent empty promises is fairly well documented by psychology and sociology. Keller does a fine job of providing support for his thesis. The other side of the puzzle could be improved.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 16
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