The Trouble With Paris: Following Jesus in a World of Plastic Promises (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: hyperconsumer culture, hyperreal culture, hyperreal world, The Trouble, Six Keys, Bread of Life (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Sayers, an emerging church pastor in Australia and director of the young adult discipleship ministry Über, focuses on what sociologists have termed hyperreality—the happy, carefree, better-than-real life that advertising promises us. Sayers believes that this vision of life, in which acquiring more is a central motivation and personal fulfillment is paramount, has become a folk religion of sorts in the Western world and is the single biggest threat to Christian faith. In his experience, when young adults buy into this vision of life, satisfaction and happiness elude them. They begin to question God, although faith is the only path to true happiness. The book is broken into three sections examining the hyperreal world, the reality we live in and God's reality. It grew out of an address of the same name; Thomas Nelson released a related DVD curriculum and study guide in February. The title is obscure, and Sayers's negativity about the culture is almost endless, but the book's comprehensive examination of the challenges consumerism presents to faith is unique and should spark meaningful discussion. (June 3)
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Product Description

What if you're living in the wrong reality?

Doesn't everyone want the good life these days? Our shopping mall world offers us a never-ending array of pleasures to explore. Consumerism promises us a vision of heaven on earth-a reality that's hyper-real. We've all experienced hyperreality: a candy so 'grape-ey' it doesn't taste like grapes any more; a model's photo so manipulated that it doesn't even look like her; a theme park version of life that tells us we can have something better than the real thing. But what if this reality is not all that it's cracked up to be? Admit it, we've been ripped off by our culture and its version of reality that leaves us lonely, bored, and trapped. But what's the alternative?

In The Trouble With Paris, pastor Mark Sayers shows us how the lifestyles of most young adults (19-35) actually work against a life of meaning and happiness to sabotage their faith. Sayers shows how a fresh understanding of God's intention for our world is the true path to happiness, fulfillment, and meaning.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (June 3, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849919991
• ISBN-13: 978-0849919992
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #478,141 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have for Anyone Influenced by Consumerism (That's Every American), April 29, 2009

By	Samantha Krieger "Writer/Content Editor" (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

We often live in light of the statement, "I will be happy when..." Being immersed in Western culture, we can't deny the heavy influence of consumerism on our lives. In The Trouble with Paris DVD study, Mark Sayers communicates relevant truth to teens, young adults, and adults across the board in way I've never seen before.

Filled with trendy and engaging motion graphics and video, Mark hits on three main points when it comes to reality: Hyper reality, Reality, and God's Reality. Most of us live in hyper reality or have been influenced by it in some way. This is the life we dream of where it's all about "me". There's no work--only pleasure, fun, vacation... and no pain. This is a world the media has created (in ads, shows, movies) and because it invades so much of our lives, we often don't want what's real anymore. We'd rather buy that product that will add meaning to our lives. But the fact remains that it's still a plastic promise.

But the truth remains that reality is far from hyper reality. Life just isn't neatly wrapped up like it is at the end of a show or movie. Conflict often lingers way after the credits roll and injustice, war, poverty, and death still exist whether we deny it or not. Awkward silence still pervades, forcing us to face the emptiness and loneliness we sense in our hearts.

God's reality, however, is better. He has given us glimpses of heaven on this side of earth: genuine friendships, a wonderful vacation experience, marriage, laughter, the beauty in nature and much more. We must then place meaning under His reality. So to do that we need to have a biblical view of God's reality and how we fit into His story.

Mark Sayers portrays God's reality with creative cartoon illustrations in how God came to redeem all of creation. I've never seen the biblical account quite like this before! (you'll just have to see it)

You'll do your youth, young adult, and even adult ministry a disfavor by not showing the truths in this DVD and then teaching from it. I am recommending this product to people who have been shaped by consumerism and the media (and that's every American!)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful must read, March 22, 2009

By	Timothy J. Hein "Tim Hein" (Adelaide, Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Essential read for anyone wanting to understand what it means to be an authentic follower of Jesus in the midst of western young adult culture today. Even more startlingly relevant considering recent financial crisis. A brilliant, sharp and concise book to read yourself, and give to young adults everywhere...

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, October 9, 2008

By	Dr. Gregory Laughery (Switzerland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Mark Sayers' new book The Trouble with Paris is outstanding. Well informed, insightful, articulate, and down to earth are just a few thoughts that come to mind when describing this tour de force. Sayers has a unique ability to have his finger on the pulse of contemporary culture and Christianity, and proves to be a capable guide through the thickets of that which is counterfeit and fake. Today we're submersed in the media driven and publicity shaped hollow promises of hyperreality, which are driving us to embrace the unreal and consequently an impoverished spirituality. Reading this powerful book will help us get back to the real and lead us to a rediscovery of our spiritual bearings for the present and the future.

In working with Swiss L'Abri for over twenty years now, my take on this book is that it's exactly what we need to get our priorites aligned with living in God's reality, instead of trying and failing to make it up as we go along. Hyperreality is deceptively addictive, and if we are to touch a generation of people for the sake of Christ, it is books like Sayers' The Trouble with Paris that will help pave the way. Highly recommended.