The picture on the left is that of Ms. Gina Welch.  She is the author of the book In the Land of Believers: An Outsider’s Extraordinary Journey into the Heart of the Evangelical Church.  This book speaks of Ms. Welch’s journey and how she, as an interloper, built relationships with and even went on a mission trip with Thomas Road Baptist Church in order to find what drives Christians.   Dr. Denny Burk has released an excellent review of this book and I encourage all of our readers to go to his blog.  He expresses my heart and, I believe, the heart of all Christians that read the book in his closing statement of the review.  He says;

Nevertheless, I find it difficult to be angry with her.  I’m still praying that she may yet acquiesce to a gospel perspective.  The Lord’s arm is not too short to save (Isaiah 59:1), and I am holding out hope that it may yet reach her.

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Rev. Trevin Wax has released the book Holy Subversion.  I have the privilege of reviewing this book and it is very exciting and humbling to be asked to do this.  Rev. Wax is the Associate Pastor of First Baptist Church in Shelbyville, Tennessee.  You can find him blogging at www.trevinwax.com.  I have decided to make this an eight part review due to the reason I explain in Part One.

One of the honors that I have serving at SBC Today is the occasional book review that comes my way.  It not only allows me to increase my library free of charge, but it also challenges me as I filter the thoughts of others.  Some books become boring and monotonous after the introduction and do nothing to challenge your thinking.  Others hold your attention but are not logically presented and because of their illogical movement presents a challenge to the reader to remember what the writer is trying to communicate.  Holy Subversion by Trevin Wax is one book that not only challenges the reader but it also reads very logically.

When beginning a book I always attack the project in the following manner; Table of Contents, publisher information, endorsements, forward, and either last chapter, or concluding thoughts.  Trevin Wax does not disappoint me in my reading schedule.  He provides a clear Forward and an outstanding summary of his purpose in the Afterward.  He says in the Afterward: “The main thrust of this book has been a call to reclaiming the subversive nature of Christian discipleship.”(p.149)  It was that statement that invigorated my discipleship juices and gave me the idea of using this book in my current one-on-one discipleship class.  I am currently meeting once a week with a brother in a mentoring type of relationship.  I decided to work through this book with him.  Because of using this book in this relationship, I have decided not to do a one time book review but an ongoing chapter-by-chapter review.  Thus, begins part one of an eight part series reviewing Holy Subversion.

The forward does not disappoint as Dr. Ed Stetzer presents his wordsmith qualities to set you up to read the book.  Dr. Stetzer does, this writer believes, get carried away trying to present statistics about today’s Christians.  He uses a Barna research, his own research, and Dr. Brad Waggoner’s research all within three paragraphs. (p.13-14)  It makes the reader say: ‘ok enough of the research stats already’.  It appears, to this reviewer, in Dr. Stetzer’s desire to bring us to the point of the book, he forgets he is doing a forward for Trevin Wax.  But, he eventually brings the reader to the book’s objective and directs one’s attention to Wax’s purpose of expressing and living out Jesus is Lord.

As the author begins the first chapter much groundwork is presented.  This reviewer likes the way the author clearly presents his thesis.  Wax  clearly states his thesis in a question; “…how can we as communities of faith live in a way that subverts the “Caesars” that rule people around us…and seek to rule us too?” (p.26)  The author moves on to identify, what he describes in the Afterward as “a handful of rivals to Christ’s Lordship”. (p.149)

Some areas of disagreement I have with the author may seem to be minor for some but for others it may be an issue.  Personally these areas would not present an issue for this reviewer, it just helps to keep in perspective the bias of the author.  First, the reader is given a clue to the writer’s soteriological bend in the very beginning of the first chapter.  Wax, in expressing how the early church lived out “true Christianity” as being “not merely life-changing” but “world-changing” (emphasis Wax) seems to reveal a reformed soteriology.  He says; “The gospel message was less about inviting Jesus into their hearts and more about people being invited into the kingdom community that represents God’s heart for the world”. (p.24) The statement give the appearance that the early church invited people into the church and not a personal relationship with Christ.  I believe the author would have been wise to avoid this comparison.  It is as if the author downplays the importance of a personal entrance into the Kingdom in favor of a communal entrance.  One other area of disagreement hinges around the importance of communities of faith living passionately for Christ.  Do not mis-read this reviewer, as he is not saying he disagrees with living passionately for Christ in a community of faith.  However, Wax says; “So, how can we as communities of faith live in a way that subverts the “Caesars” that rule people around us…and seek to rule us too”? (p.26)  The disagreement that this reviewer has is that God calls us to live passionately for him privately and then corporately.  By focusing on how we corporately live passionately Wax seems to be directing our focus on the wrong objective.  If our main focus is a passionate love of Jesus in our private arena then that spills over into our corporate community of faith.

The areas of agreement I have with this first chapter are too numerous to mention. I would, however, like to call attention to a few.  First, Wax clearly defines what he means by “subversion” through giving the reader various definitions and then claiming the one he uses for the book.  His definition for the book is “pushing something back down into its proper place”. (p.26) He presents that these areas of our life are not bad, in and of themselves, but need to be pushed back down under the control of Jesus.  Second, Wax clearly lists the areas of our life that become Caesars.  He lists the Caesar of self, success, money, leisure, sex, and power as being those that most commonly battle for complete control over our lives.  Third, Wax teases the reader as he lists these various Caesars.  He briefly describes each Caesar and leaves the reader aware that each one will become more detailed in the chapters to come.

One Caesar this reviewer especially appreciates him presenting is the Caesar of sex.  With this Caesar, Wax presents three ways Christian communities can subvert this idol. (p.30-31)  First, for singles there should be a commitment to “a life of chastity (a life of purity) not  merely abstinence.” Second, the community must celebrate “sex within marriage” which translates into a covenant marriage.  Third, Wax encourages Christian communities to stop separating sex from procreation.  When this reviewer first read that statement it was a little daunting, but as one reads Wax’s next sentence one sees his point.  He says; “We will foster a church culture that celebrates large families and sees children as a gift from God.”  How many times does one hear Christians in the church joke about the couple that has four to six children?  Large families have become the abnormal standard now and small families are the ones celebrated.  This reviewer has not read Wax’s completely developed chapter on the Caesar of Sex, but one does look forward to a fully developed theology of child bearing in that chapter.  If there isn’t one this reader will be greatly disappointed.

Just the Forward and Chapter 1 have been covered in this review.  If this is any indication of how the rest of the book is packaged then this will be an enjoyable read.  However, the readability of the book is not the only purpose of this reviewers interest.  This reviewer will also review the chapters to come on each chapter’s ability to develop the disciple.  Looking forward to the journey.

It’s not just a children’s literacy organization.  Reading is fundamental to our lives as Christians.  Daily devotional reading of God’s word and personal, in-depth study of the Bible are non-negotiable necessities.  We must pore over the pages of the sacred text as we seek to deepen our understanding, strengthen our conviction, clarify our commission, and enrich our worship.

Additional reading helps us to reach these goals.  We all benefit from those who share with us the truth of Scripture and its application to our lives.  We can also benefit from a well-written story which helps remind us of an important truth.  On many occasions as a pastor I am asked to recommend a book, or commentary, or novel for someone to read.  Living in Midwestern Seminary’s town, I have had opportunity to be interviewed by students in our church and answer the question, “What would you consider to be the three most influential books you have read other than the Bible?”

So, just in case your summer reading list is almost completed, let me recommend just a few books I believe are worth everyone’s time… Read More→

Dr. Cecil Sherman’s latest book By My Own Reckoning is one this writer was planning to invest in for his library.  However, after reading Dr. Paige Patterson’s review, my mind has placed this book on the front of my “to do” list and I cannot wait until my copy arrives.  Dr. Patterson has shown the grace and honesty in his review that I understand Dr. Sherman’s book shows in his assessment of the Conservative Resurgence.  The book along with the review is a rare glimpse into the thoughts of two leaders that lived through the Conservative Resurgence on opposite sides of the aisle.  To read Dr. Patterson’s review CLICK HERE. To read Dr. Sherman’s book, you will need to CLICK HERE and order it.   Dr. Patterson points to Dr. Sherman’s own words which reveals the need for the Conservative Resurgence.

Dr. Patterson’s heart is seen in this review of an old foe. Everyone would expect this review to be less than flattering, but that is because the majority only know Dr. Patterson through reading what others want you to hear.   When you read his review you will find that Dr. Patterson is honest and even challenged by Dr. Sherman’s life and fidelity to his wife, Dot.  Dr. Patterson freely admits that this book will be required reading for his students.  What higher review can one give?  Some want to paint Dr. Patterson as an uncaring person, but it seems that those some within the CBF also try to paint Dr. Sherman the same way.