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

Mark Sayers
Thomas Nelson (2008)
ISBN 9780849919992
Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (3/08)

“The Trouble With Paris:  Following Jesus in a World of Plastic Promises” shows us how popular culture is working against young adults and hindering their quest for true faith.  The author, Mark Sayers, is the director of a ministry that focuses on young adult discipleship.  He is pastor of a church in Melbourne, Australia and a coveted speaker “in the areas of Generation Y, pop culture and mission.”  

Sayers’ teachings are divided into three different parts:  Hyperreality, Reality, and God’s Reality.  Hyperreality is a souped-up version of reality but we still perceive it as being completely real.  One example given to explain this concept is a magazine photo shoot.  The model goes in and is made up by the hair, makeup and wardrobe people.  The lighting is adjusted to her benefit as well.  Then, any imperfections that may have snuck past are edited or airbrushed out.  However, we, as readers of that magazine perceive the photo that we see as real and strive to look as “perfect” as the model does.   In reality we probably wouldn’t even recognize her if we saw her in public because the photo is so altered by the time that we see it.  

In the second part of the book, Sayers explores the reality of how hyperreality makes us unhappy.  He also looks at how it hinders our faith.  “On the surface we claim adherence to Christ.  We may worship in church on Sunday, but deep down we know our allegiance and hope lie elsewhere.”

Finally the book wraps up with direction as to how to see Jesus in a new light and not in the light of hyperreality.  In this last section, Sayers presents us with the “Six Keys to Living Well within God’s Reality.”

The target audience is defined by the book as being between the ages of 19 and 35.  I am in the higher end of the intended group and found that I could relate to quite a bit of what the author was saying.  The book is well written and filled with a lot of examples that give you a clear vision of the points that he is trying to get across.  The writing does seem a little redundant in some areas, but by reading the same points over and over again, it does serve to get the message across. 

“The Trouble With Paris:  Following Jesus in a World of Plastic Promises” and the accompanying DVD study guide would be a great tool to use for young adult church groups or for any young individual who wants to grow spiritually.  The DVD study guide consists of four different modules interjected throughout with numerous study questions.  It is a great resource to use alongside the book in order to gain a full understanding of what the author is teaching.

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