Why chasing after expressive individualism, experiences, and desires always fails to deliver on its promise of happiness.
Today we are told to be true to ourselves, look within for answers, and follow our hearts. But when we put our own happiness first, we experience record-breaking levels of aimlessness, loneliness, depression, and anxiety. Self-centeredness always fails to deliver the fulfillment we’re seeking.
In Don’t Follow Your Heart, Thaddeus Williams debunks the “ten commandments of self-worship,” which include popular propaganda, like:
- #liveyourbestlife: Thou shalt always act in accord with your chief end—to glorify and enjoy yourself forever.
- #followyourheart: Thou shalt obey your emotions at all costs.
- #yolo: Thou shalt pursue the rush of boundary-free experience.
Williams builds a case that this type of self-worship is not authentic, satisfying, or edgy. Instead, its rehashing what is literally humanity’s oldest lie. He calls on a new generation of mavericks and renegades, heretics who refuse to march in unison with the self-obsessed herd. With a fascinating blend of theology, philosophy, science, psychology, and pop culture, Williams points us to a life beyond self-defeating dogmas to a more meaningful life centered on Someone infinitely more interesting, satisfying, and awesome than ourselves.
Featuring stories from Carl Trueman, Joni Eareckson Tada, J.P, Moreland, Josh McDowell, Alisa Childers, and more.
Editorial Reviews
‘Don’t Follow Your Heart is a bold, timely, and enjoyable read. Williams takes the top ten common ‘commandments’ permeating our culture and systematically shows how they each lead (surprisingly) to misery and brokenness. This is a book I will be recommending wholeheartedly to the next generation.’ —Â Sean McDowell, Ph.D. apologetics professor at Biola University, popular YouTuber, author of A Rebels Manifesto
‘Don’t Follow Your Heart is filled with truths that lay bare the theological, philosophical, and logical failures of today’s self-worship religion. Williams writes with a wit and relatability that make this book a joy to read. If I could put it into the hands of every Christian high school student, I would!’ —Â Natasha Crain, speaker, podcaster, and author of four books including Faithfully Different
‘In Don’t Follow Your Heart, Thaddeus Williams challenges us to break the self-worship commandments that promise freedom but deliver captivity. I appreciate the bold urgency of this call. Following the herd is leading our generation off a cliff. Maybe a little heresy can do us a lot of good.’ —Â Collin Hansen, editor in chief of The Gospel Coalition, host of Gospelbound, and author of Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation
‘Thaddeus Williams skillfully dismantles the ten commandments of self worship and shows us a better way. Don’t Follow Your Heart is a wonderfully biblical guidebook for those who desire full, meaningful, and counter-cultural lives–lives with God at the very center.’ —Â Uche Anizor, associate professor of theology, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, author of the award-winning Overcoming Apathy
‘The fear of missing out (#FOMO) and self-worship began in the garden. Instead of bearing God’s image as witnesses of his majesty, we have become imposters who bear witness to our own kingdoms. Thaddeus Williams exposes the futility of self-worship with kingdom of God-aligned correctives that reflect God’s glory and his commitment to redeem us. Read this book expectantly. You won’t be disappointed.’ —Â Joanne Jung, Ph.D., associate dean of online education and faculty development and professor of biblical and theological studies, Biola University
‘Today’s ascendent religion–a new orthodoxy–derives from malformed self-love and expressive individualism and includes a new ethical code: following your heart. Gratefully, Thaddeus Williams here provides a calm, careful, and cogent cure rooted, not in Self, but in Savior, the One who created and loved us, the One who made our hearts for Him, the One who truly has just authority and thereby does all things right. Following one’s heart will cause us to flinch in fear, being forever trapped in dead end comparisons and endless strivings to both ‘follow our hearts’ but also ‘be like Mike.’ Christ liberates us so that under His gentle yoke we no longer flinch in fear but can flourish in faith. By NOT following our hearts, we gain the heart of God. Dr. Williams illustrates the way to do so in this key and needed volume. Don’t follow your heart; instead, follow my advice and read this book – twice!’ —Â Jeffery J. Ventrella, J.D., Ph.D., architect, The Blackstone Legal Fellowship
‘With the publication of Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth, Professor Williams established himself as a leading evangelical philosophical Theologian with a tender heart for Jesus and others. He also possesses a keen eye for the hot-button issues in culture that are undermining unbelievers and believers alike. Now comes Don’t Follow Your Heart, a penetrating book if insights that get deep into the heart of the emotional and spiritual suffering ubiquitous in our society. Not content to identify the fundamental problems, Williams goes on to provide us with ways to spot a set of problems in our own lives and practical steps to set them aside and live a more flourish biblical life. The book is deep but quite accessible and fun to read. I strongly recommend this book.’ —Â JP Moreland, distinguished professor of philosophy, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University and author of A Simple Guide to Experiencing Miracles
