Ted Dekker has some downloads on his site. Interesting to say the least. I wasn't expecting what I saw and heard. I'm a fan of Ted's and really enjoyed chatting with him for his Novel Journey interview. I wouldn't mind interviewing him about this.
Do watch all. Then it'd be great if you'd come back and share your thoughts.
http://www.teddekker.com/?content=downloads
(Oh and don't forget to come back tomorrow to enter the Best of Evil grand-prize drawing.)
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Sunday, October 29, 2006
Um ...
Wow. I love Ted's novels, but uh...whoa. That was disturbing! I think your interview was much more informative:)
ReplyDeleteIf I were a reader of his novels I would feel patronized. So basically is he saying that he isn't transparent to his readers? I think he was trying to be very very clever, but to me it just came across as more ego than anything. I had a really hard time watching it . . . like watching a bad accident. Unsettling.
ReplyDeleteTed's novels are disturbing, but I think as an author, he uses that to cause his reader to dig for the deeper meaning. I've enjoyed his books and that feature. Is that his intention here? The video clips are certainly unsettling. In fact, my 4-year-old walked in while I was watching and I quickly sent him out of the room. If there is some profound message for his fans...I'm missing it. "Ummm" about says it all.
ReplyDeleteQuick, somebody check his house for a gas leak.
ReplyDeleteI just lost a lot of respect for him. He came across as arrogant and condescending to me, a potentially former fan. I can only hope that this is some kind of misguided publicity stunt for an upcoming book.
Now I'm wondering: Should I even bother finishing Saint now? Or, buy another one of his books?
I think he owes his fans an explanation and maybe even an apology.
My first impression was, oh quirky funny. My second impression was he might be drunk. My third impression was back to thinking he has a really odd sense of humor and now I'm not sure what to think. He seems to have a heart for the Lord. He's a good writer but this does come across as bizarre and arrogant. I didn't want to give my impression because I thought maybe I was missing something. I think people might watch this and think he's nuts.
ReplyDeleteI think it might make people question his sanity. I assume it's just tongue in cheek but maybe a little too much?
I think most of you are judging a bit harshly and overanalyzing. Ted has a huge heart for the Lord and for young unchurched people. That cross-section of America is where he is aimed right now.
ReplyDeleteIf you are talking about his "Ask-the-Mask" videos being inappropriate, well, I don't get it. They are hilarious. If you knew more about Ted and his site you would know that thousands of people have questions for Ted, and these videos are an ingenious way of answering some serious questions while having fun with some frivolous ones.
Yes, PLEASE. Keep reading Ted's books. Especially Saint. It's an incredible story about US and our lives as believers. If you haven't read Showdown yet, make sure you do it first. It's not a necessary precursor, but it sure does help you understand.
Sorry I've been so adamant, but Ted is my hero and hands down favorite author ever. I can't bear to see him cast in a bad light because of some lighthearted videos that most of his fans love.
Gods blessings on you all,
Karri
P.S. I have a great transcript on my blog of a video Ted had shot of himself answering some interview questions from me. Please go visit (sorry, Gina, if this is self-promoting, but right now I think of it as promoting Ted): www.kcreviews.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThe actual video will be available on Ted's MySpace page soon if it's not already, and as a download on his site as well. It's excellently done and not at all offensive. :)
Karri
My BIGGEST mistake as a writer was giving up writing many years ago(I thought it was for good) -- and tossing out every one of my notes and the novels that I had labored over! Nothing was spared :<(, a very bad mistake on my part - and though I don't obsess over it, it's an action I still regret.
ReplyDeleteIf he's trying to be funny, there's a problem: There is nothing funny about it.
ReplyDeleteSomeone close to him should have stopped this.
There is no upside to this display. Only a tarnished image can possibly be the result.
I've read Ted's work...and spent two hours last spring in a class he led for writers. His heart is dedicated to Jesus - 100%. He's also dedicated to communicating Jesus to unbelievers and the unchurched in creative ways. He's sick of traditional religion that repels instead of drawing people to Christ.
ReplyDeleteAre the videos different? Yes. That would be Ted's goal. Jesus was unique in His time on earth. Ted would like it if we all took that uniqueness as given to us and shared it with the world. If it's a little whacky to some...Ted will not be threatened by that. In fact, it will most likely make him smile. That's predictable. Will we get the drift - the joke - the entertainment factor? Well, that would please Ted if not surprise him a bit. He's far more used to us not getting his sense of humor and the absolute freedom he feels as he conveys Jesus to a lost world. He'll take any and all risks to get their attention.
Jesus did the same. He was accused of being a glutton and drunk when spending time with the lost.
We might want to be careful about judging DeKker - his heart is out there for the world to see. He shows Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Light. His humor is different and he's not afraid to offend - especially believers if it gets them thinking. He's offended me a time or two.
He'd love it if we did more than take Jesus out of the box...Ted would like us to get out of the box with Jesus. With Ted.
Scares this mostly traditional Christian half to death. Will the rest of Christendom see me as crazy and worry about my tarnished image as well?
I don't have Ted's courage. Wish I did. For now I'm letting my Light shine for Jesus carefully. Wonder what it's like to let that go and live like a renegade for God?