Book Review: This Is Our Time by Trevin Wax

It seems we live in a day where we are bombarded with all kinds of messages. Whether they are on an app, the TV set, or a billboard, they are everywhere. These messages are out there to get our attention to make us thing these things they are communicating are important or we are the center of the universe. Most people would call them messages, but they are actually myths according to Trevin Wax.

In his latest books, This Is Our Time, Wax looks at the common myths in our culture and exposes them in light of the gospel. The first thing Wax addresses is our phones. They tell us we are the center of the universe. Does it really? Well, it does give us notifications based on our preferences. We can be distracted when a notification comes up. We have to ask ourselves, does our phone, or any tech, hinder our walk with Christ or helps?

Next, Wax looks Hollywood and the stories they tell. I love a good movie as much as the next guy, but I do not get to intellectual when it comes to one. Lately, it seems most movies are communicating some kind of message. Christians need to be aware of the message a movie send and combat it with the gospel.

In our culture, we pursue what makes us happy. They come in many shapes and forms but the truth is they will never make us happy. The American Dream is about finding happiness. Wax wrote, "The Kingdom Dream is about experiencing joy in God." Many look at America as Israel when Christians need to look at it as Babylon. This is a foreign land that worships other gods. We should seek the good of the city just as the Lord spoke through the prophet Jeremiah as they were being led into exile by Babylon.

As our world continues to wobble, our main hope remains the gospel. That is the message of Christianity will remain the message until Christ comes again. Culture trends will change over and over again along with the myths of the culture. The gospel is the only constant message of the church and for those who do not know Christ.

Wax is a profound thinker and gives his readers insight into what the culture is. He also shed the light of the gospel into the messages of the culture, which is something discerning Christians need to be more aware of as we live in a world while waiting for the blessed hope that is Christ the Lord.

Thanks B&H Publishing Group for letting me review this book.

Book Review: Eschatological Discipleship by Trevin Wax

Eschatology is the study of the end times and can be often misunderstood. Discipleship is what we call the building up of a believer to become a mature Christian. Funny thing is no one ever thought about putting those two together. Many Christians stay away from eschatology because it can be confusing. Granted, it can be and glorious at the same time. Discipleship has also been misunderstood. Many think it involves sitting in a classroom listening to a teacher or having a mature believer take a new believer under his wing.

Trevin Wax has taken these two elements in the Christian faith and combine them as a means for us to live out in the culture. He addresses this in his latest book, Eschatological Discipleship. What is eschatological discipleship? Wax explains it:

Because discipleship in a New Testament sense is holistic (encompassing all of life) and contextualized (the way believers put Jesus's teachings in practice will look different in various cultural contexts), discipleship is also "eschatological"; that is, it is a type of spiritual formation and obedience that takes into account the contemporary setting in which one finds oneself, particularly to rival conceptions of time and progress.

One thing Wax wants to make clear is that eschatology is not just about the end times, it is also about life beyond death such as heaven, hell, and judgment. What Wax attempts to do in this book is show that discipleship and eschatology can go together. He goes on to say:

Eschatological discipleship...is not a timeless moral code but rather a timely application of moral wisdom that is cultivated through growth in Christian character, immersion, in the grand narrative unfolding in the Scriptures, and reliance on the Spirit's guidance...eschatological discipleship is spiritual formation that seeks to instill wisdom regarding the contemporary setting in which Christians find themselves...and that calls for contextualized obedience as a demonstration of the Christian belief that the biblical account of the world's past, present, and future is true.

Wax is saying that eschatological discipleship is lived out in the world showing those around what we proclaim is true. We demonstrate it through the obedience of the word and depending on the Holy Spirit. In the rest of the book, Wax addresses the biblical foundations of the eschatological discipleship from both the Old and New Testament. He goes on to write about the contemporary ways of thinking that Christians must be prepared for as they live out their Christian faith.

I have loved Trevin Wax's books in the past so it when the chance to read this one came about, I took advantage of it. I have to admit, there were times I felt Wax was vague in explaining the concept of eschatological discipleship. I understand that we live in the light of God's word in a culture, but I felt a little lost with this one. Not saying it was a bad book, but I was expecting a little more.

Thanks B&H Publishing for letting me review this book.

Around The Web-March 18, 2016

“I Don’t Feel At Home In the Republican Party Anymore” by Trevin Wax

The Theology of Donald Trump by Michael Horton

Does The Bible Have Errors by R.C. Sproul

Confessions: Thick or Thin? by Jonathan Leeman

Confessions: Old or New? by Bobby Jamieson

Joe Thorn on the These Go to 11 Podcast discussing did Satan wanted Jesus to die and Easter services

Dave Jenkins and Jason Garwood on the meaning of Good Friday

John Piper discusses his new book, A Peculiar Glory, which is on sale along with other books



Time for a little humor and theological truth from Donall and Conall as they talk with Richard Dawkins

What is Gospel-Centered Teaching?

For The Church:

Trevin Wax talks about what exactly is gospel-centered teaching.



Be sure to check out Trevin's book dedicated to this very topic called, Gospel-Centered Teaching: Showing Christ in All the Scripture.

Other books by Trevin Wax:

Holy Subversion: Allegiance to Christ in an Age of Rivals

Counterfeit Gospels: Rediscovering the Good News in a World of False Hope

Around The Web-October 9, 2015

Tim Challies has a test on the Trinity

Andrew Peterson at the Burning Edge of Dawn by Ivan Mesa

5 Resources for Cultivating a Beautiful Culture of Marriage and Sexuality by Trevin Wax

You Were Made for the Godward Life by John Piper

Check out Servants of Grace's first podcast on Abortion

What Does It Mean To Abide In Christ? by Sinclair Ferguson

Don't forget about Westminster Bookstore's special going on for the Meaning of Marriage Bible Study

J.I. Packer on Repentance.



Kent Hughes shares 3 pitfalls for pastors.

Around The Web-October 2, 2015

Does Netflix Make Christ More Precious to You? by John Piper

My friend Casey Cease has begun a new podcast called Gospel Matters

Back to Science Class for the Science Guy

A Search Committee Is Not a Stealth Committee by Kevin DeYoung

Obamacare is actually not so affordable -- unless you're broke

Stephen Colbert on Being a “Fool for Christ” by Trevin Wax

Five Reflections from a Young Pastor by Michael Cooper

3 Priorities of Pastoral Ministry by Nathan Rose

What Pastors Wish Their Worship Leaders Knew by Bob Kauflin

Seven books Christians should read on the Holy Spirit by Aaron Armstrong

In this video, Kent Hughes shares 5 questions he asks himself every Sunday before preaching.

Around the Web-September 4, 2015

“In this World You Will Have Trouble” — Welcome to Rowan County by Albert Mohler

What You Should Know About the Kentucky Clerk Marriage License Controversy by Joe Carter

Don’t Let The Media Control Your Experience of Election 2016 by Trevin Wax

The Gospel Coalition Launches New Podcast Network

God, You've Got The Wrong Guy by Tim Challies

How Do You Know If You're Discontent? by Erik Raymond

God takes great delight as Matt Chandler explains in this short video.



Russell Moore, Colin Hansen, and Tim Keller talk about speaking with people who disagree with us.

Around The Web-August 14, 2015

What Ephesians Teaches Us about Our Past, Present, and Future by Edward T Welch

Clerk ignores gay marriage order, asks judge for delay

Obama Administration Cracks Down on States' Efforts to Defund Planned Parenthood

The Haunting of Ministry Failure by Joshua Wilson

3 Tips for a Healthier Prayer Life by Joel Lindsey

I Want a Bigger Bible by Trevin Wax

EL ROI: “God of Seeing” by Dave Jenkins

Around the Web-May 22, 2015

PCUSA Loses Membership After Embracing Gay Marriage

What Does Jude 7 Mean By “Other Flesh”? by Kevin DeYoung

Running from a Bad Church Situation May Hinder Your Spiritual Growth by Trevin Wax

Christian, Your Job Is a Ministry Job by Jon Bloom

Five Signs You Might Be Making Disciples of Your Church Instead of for Jesus by Jason Garwood

I Hope I Die Before I Get Old by Jared C Wilson

15 years ago at Shelby Farms in Tennessee, there was a gathering of student for the purpose of glorifying God called One Day. If you have followed the Passion conference for years, you know what I am referring to. The Passion conference has featured many worship leaders such as Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, and Charlie Hall. They have also hosted a few preachers such as Louie Giglio and Francis Chan. Perhaps the most well-known of them was John Piper. The first time I saw Piper was Passion in 1998 at Austin, Tx. Have no idea who this guy was but I am glad I do now. This video is the message Piper preached at One Day called, "Boasting Only in the Cross."

As The Supreme Court Hearings Begin...

Today is the day that the Supreme Court is beginning deliberations over whether or not legalize same-sex marriage in the United States. Some feel it will happen while others are optimistic that is won't. According to reports that I have heard, the court will not make a decision until this summer which is similar to what they did last year in with Hobby Lobby.

As the hearing begins, I invite everyone to pray for the Supreme Court during this time. Also pray for America as well as the church. As we wait for the final decision, he are a few posts you might want to take a look at:

9 Things You Should Know About Same-Sex Marriage by Joe Carter

Why Not Gay Marriage? by Kevin DeYoung

In Defense of Marriage, the Rule of Law, and Ordered Liberty by Albert Mohler

Here's Hoping the Supreme Court Will Handle Same-Sex Marriage Like Other Nations by Trevin Wax

Around The Web-August 29, 2014

Six Things Every Freshman Needs to Know by Sammy Rhodes

God Loves My Boring, Unimportant Neighborhood by Darren Carlson

Are You Worthy of Jesus? by John Piper

Eariler this week, David Platt was named president of the Internation Mission Board for the Southern Baptist Convention. Many, including me, are excited about this annoucement. J.D. Greear offers his take on what this signals about our future

Tim Keller on the Disappearing Umbrella Over Conservative Christians by Trevin Wax

4 Ways Pastors Lose Pulpits by Clint Archer

Book Review: Clear Winter Nights by Trevin Wax

I have a confession to make: I do not read a lot of fiction. I read mostly non-fiction. For some reason I struggle reading fiction. I get more out of a non-fiction book than I would a fiction book. It's not that I hate stories. I love stories. Last year when The Hobbit was coming out I decided to read the book. I wish I can tell you it was easy to read but it was not. Is J.R.R. Tolken a bad writer? Not at all. I just have a heard time getting into a story especially if it takes three chapters to introduce the story.

This brings me to my first fiction book review, Clear Winter Nights by Trevin Wax. What brought me to review this book was the fact it was written by Trevin Wax who is an excellent writer. Another thing was the subtitle of the book, A journey into truth, doubt, and what comes after followed by three simple words in the bottom of the cover, which were in brackets, Theology in Story. So maybe this will not be one of those fiction books that just drag on forever so no little detail is left out.

I find one struggle in reviewing a fiction book is not giving too much away that this review would be known as a spoiler which does a lot of books no justice. So here we go. Clear Winter Nights is the story of a young Christian experiencing doubt in his walk with Christ. He then comes in contact with retired pastor who tells him the gospel and does his best to answer his questions. The whole story is a dialogue between Chris, the young Christian with doubts, and Gil, the retired pastor who is Chris' mentor.

What I love about the story is that there is Christian truth written in the story without it being watered down, not that Trevin Wax would do that. I think with a lot of fiction books we do not think of deep theological truths being communicated. When one reads a fiction book, they want to be entertained and let their imagination soar. Another thing I like about this story is Trevin got to the point. Unlike some other fiction books, he did not use the first chapter as the introduction to the story followed by the next chapter actually getting to the story. Trevin did a little intro and got to the point. This is one fiction book I can recommend to everyone because it was written well and it tells a great story.

Thanks Multinomah for letting me review this book.

Around The Web-September 27, 2013

Oprah: Rob Bell 'Opened My Heart and My Mind.'

Anonymous Youth Pastor’s Letter to a Parent by Trevin Wax

John MacArthur and Strange Fire by Tim Challies

Welcome to the United States of Seattle by Mark Driscoll

Jesus Is Not Your Sin Manager by Owen Strachen

This latest video from Jefferson Bethke is based on his upcoming book, Jesus > Religion: Why He Is So Much Better Than Trying Harder, Doing More, and Being Good Enough.



Albert Mohler's advice to students: Theology and life are inseparable.




Crossway took to the streets of Chicago to promote Kevin DeYoung's new book, Crazy Busy.

Crazy Busy in Chicago from Crossway on Vimeo.

The Controversy Surrounding "Asking Jesus Into Your Heart."

Sometime ago, I posted a video of David Platt explaining why asking Jesus into your heart is not only superstitious but also unbiblical. Now a couple of more posts have come up addressing this issue. I know for many Christians, we not are not going to agree on this especially among Southern Baptists. So here are two post all need to read a meditate on when talking about "asking Jesus into your heart:"

Is it Biblical to Ask Jesus Into Your Heart? by Trevin Wax

Is it OK to ask Jesus into your heart? by J.D. Greear

Don't Be More Gospel-Centered Than Jesus

Great conversation between J.D. Greear, Greg Gilbert, and Trevin Wax.

Don't Be More Gospel-Centered Than Jesus from The Gospel Coalition on Vimeo.

Trevin Wax is the author of Counterfeit Gospels and Holy Subversion.

Greg Gilbert is the author of What is the Gospel and co-author of What is the Mission of the Church? with Kevin DeYoung.

J.D. Greear is author of Gospel: Recovering the Power That Made Christianity Revolutionary.