I requested to review this book after I heard the author speak on the radio about it. I was so impressed with the logic and applicability of the book, I wanted a chance to read it and make it more known.

Just like the book of Hebrews points out that this tradition or that tradition in Judaism was designed to fulfill a certain need or desire but that Jesus is so very much superior to all the traditions, the author of this book sets the book up much the same way. The author lays out the premise that all humans have certain longings in common, but that our cultures tend to lie to us about how to fulfill those longings. He then details the specific myths and lies offered in our current American culture and how the Gospel actually addresses these longings in vastly superior ways. Using engaging anecdotal stories, the author first engages the reader’s heart and then supports his suppositions with the Truth of God’s Word.

This isn’t just a book I’ll read myself. Rather, I plan on having my teen daughters read it, as well as recommending it to several of my friends. I wish I could make it assigned reading for just about every American. It really helps clarify what is on display in the marketplace of life and why what they’re selling won’t meet the reader’s needs. Time and again, only the Gospel will truly satisfy.

I gratefully received this book as an eARC from the author, publisher, and NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.

One of the most common questions asked by Church-goers is about how they can live out their Christian witness in the world. How can they engage culture? How can they convey Christian hope to the world? What can they do about the modern challenges that culture presents? Answer: Now.

Now means seeing challenges as springboards of opportunities to let the gospel be the difference. It means knowing the difference between the gospel story and the world stories. It means recognizing our heart's deepest longing for truth. It means telling the difference between the lie and the light. Even as we do that, we need to be careful of two extremes. The first is the over-zealous 'lie-detector Christians' who focus all their energies on exposing lies and forgetting about the longing in the hearts of people. The second is the 'complimentary Christians' who simply play nice without appropriate confrontation against falsehood. Trevin Wax aims for the middle ground and shows us with eight examples on how to avoid being judgmental and too liberal.


He looks at the modern cellphone as a cultural symbol and notices people's need for affirmation and recognition. They want to be at the center of attention. They think that the Internet is full of information that are true. They assume that what they need to know are all available on search engines and multiple websites. Underlying this desire is the thirst for knowledge, which is a good thing, but they are searching the Internet for truth, they will eventually come to a dead end. Through the cellphone, we are urged to recognize the myth of knowledge as a cover for one to be known. On Hollywood, there is the myth of fame and fortune. By telling stories, Hollywood is a formidable preaching engine of the entertainment world. Rather than condemning everything from the entertainment world, we are encouraged to see the way Hollywood reflect life as it is now, and the opportunity for us is not only to uncover lies but to shine truth in the hearts of hearers. On the pursuit of happiness, Wax uses the story of the USS Jeannette to show us the importance of maps and how depending on a faulty map can be fatal. On shopping, Wax points out the habits behind our insatiable desire to buy and accumulate stuff. We keep buying and remain unsatisfied. Materialism maintains its grip on our search for happiness. He laments the way we exchange the significance of holy days into days of consumerism. We need to expose the lies of the American Dream and exchange it for the truth of the Kingdom Dream. On the City of Man, we learn about the temptation of people treating this earth as if it is our eternal home. We must avoid falling for that trap. Instead, we can live a life of love in this world while we still can, and to prepare ourselves; to fortify our faith; and to endure the sufferings even as we demonstrate the love of God in this cruel world. Wax highlights the two aspects of living in this present world. The first is as sojourners where we are journeying through life. The second is as exiles where we will be mistreated and bullied by the world. The former gives us a sense of direction. The latter gives us a sense of long-term purpose even as we are struggling through short-term pains. Wax also talks about marriage, from arranged marriages to multiple choices. The myth is that the ideal soulmate is out there when the more immediate concern ought to be becoming the best person we could be first. Marriage is more than just an expression of intense romantic love. It is about being accountable to each other in love and service. It is about being broken together. Other myths include the subject of sex that points us to something more than the physical act: our need for intimacy.

The author is able to identify the pressing cultural pressures of this age and to bring forth the myths in a powerful and convincing way. He addresses the two biggest needs today: The need to expose the lies, and the need to tell the truth. Both have to be done carefully and wisely. In the area of exposing the lies, we are urged not to be distracted by the superficial labels of the world, to the point that we disengage. Instead, we need to recognize the underlying search for truth, and to see the real need beyond the perceived needs. Wax gives us ample evidence of this in the eight key symbols of culture. People have a need to be known and understood. They are being influenced by the stories coming out of Hollywood, which in turn is a reflection of culture. Both are dead end tales in themselves and we need to let the gospel show us the way. The world views sex in a liberal way and often ridicules Christians for their conservative views. Sex is not simply the act but the expression of a human need for intimacy. I believe Wax has identified our problem really well. Far too many Christians have reacted to the negativity of the world toward the Church by doing the same against the world at large. In condemning the cultural elements, they may have missed the opportunity to see from the eyes of redemption. Let me offer three thoughts with regard to this book.

First, the myths pointed out are more real than we imagined. Most people see themselves as well-intentioned good people. They see from their own perspectives of what it means to be fair, to be just, and to be good in this world. At the same time, they fail to see the blind spots of their own lives and the flaws on the world around them. Over time, people get indoctrinated by the values of the world and truth becomes falsified, and this falsification takes on a life of its own, to convince people about their version of truth. Wax arrests our attention by starting with the ubiquitous cell-phone, a symbol of culture today. I know of some members from the older generation who refuse to use cell-phones and disconnect themselves from anything the younger generation like. This is most unfortunate because they fail to understand the myth behind the cell phone. In the same way, if we just reject all the worldly symbols, we would miss the opportunity for conversational moments and bridges of communications to enable the gospel to flow from us to them. The way forward is to understand the culture and the corresponding myths, to exegete them, and to fairly point out the inadequacies of their promises. Second, the Christian must always see things from the redemptive mindset. This is where the author excels. He shares the redemptive power of the gospel in a very personal manner, using his father-in-law's transformation from atheism to a person of faith. The gospel liberates us and shows us the way toward truth. Whether it is marriage or sex, Hollywood or shopping, world economies or city living, the promises of this world will never be larger than the true promise of God. The world may promise us a lot of things but it is God who not only promised us eternal life, He will usher in the Kingdom that is to come. Join the party! Third, this book gives us a practical framework that we can use for other aspects of culture as well. We could apply it to the world of sports, of competitiveness in the marketplace, and of the struggle to be first, as myths of significance. We prize all the glory and accolades because we have bought into the world systems of ranking and honour system. The gospel turns these things on their heads by showing us the different set of kingdom values. The world may seem to be different but underlying the various symbols is the same thing: Glory. The way of the world leads to idolatry, which is the glory of anything other than God. The way of God leads to the glory of Jesus. This is indeed our time. Readers of this book might also be familiar with the title of another book by another popular author "It's Your Time." The difference between the two is stark. While Osteen aims to give a good-feel inspiring effect by motivating the individual to do more, to believe more, and to live more, Wax prefers to approach from the angle of wisdom. This is perhaps the single biggest difference between the two books.

Trevin Wax is Bible and Reference Publisher at Lifeway Christian Resources and managing editor of the Gospel Project. He is also the teaching pastor at Third Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, TN.

Rating: 4.75 stars of 5.

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This book has been provided courtesy of B and H Publishing and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

Here's why experiencing God's love matters for the fortifying of Christian faith and witness in our day. If you fail to get this truth deep down into your heart, if you fail to recognize God's unfailing, unchanging love for you no matter your circumstances, you will not be able to represent Him well in exile. The only way you will ever be able to withstand the hatred of the world is if you are immersed in the love of God. The only way you will ever be able to live without the approval of others is if you are assured of God's approval of you IN Christ. "Lord you have been our refuge in every generation. Psalm 90

What an encouraging word from Trevin Wax. With clarity, he displays a better way. Encourages his readers to display a better way of the gospel.

Eight chapters where the myths of this generation can either find you wishing for the past or fearing for the future.

The Phone Is A Myth-Teller-What our cell phones say about us and about our culture. Looking at teenagers and I would have to say adults as well, our phone becomes a literal life line. Or so we would like to believe. There is a better way.

Hollywood is After Your Heart - How do we become faithful in the world of entertainment? How Hollywood is political and uses the telling of a story to capture our longings for what is false. Stories shape the world and the culture and how we have become desensitization to what is evil. That we scorn what is of God and celebrate what is evil. The question becomes what is the better way when it comes to our desires? How Christians can tell a better a story.

The North Pole and the Pursuit of Happiness-This profound quote What am I anymore if I'm not this? If you are successful, what happens when you fail? If you are beautiful, what happens when your beauty fades? If you are influential, what happens when you are scorned? What does faithfulness look like in our pursuit of happiness? What does it look like compared to others. What is your following? There is a better way. A better pursuit. I loved this quote "See your life as a journey in which you were rescued from your falleness, not affirmed in it. See your life as a journey in which are being remade in the image of God so that the ever deepening discovery of His grace and goodness is the defining marker in your life, not your own self-discovery. And as you lean forward, straining toward the North Pole, you know you aren't meant to be satisfied and happy with yourself as you are now; you're embracing the vision of who God is making you to be!"

Shopping for Happiness-A look of what you throw away tells us about where our heart is. Consumerism is about you. How do you find a better way? By serving as Jesus served. The focus should be in the church of what Jesus has done and not about comfort and entertainment.

Never At Home in the City of Man-Politics has become the new religion. Where ideals become the driving force for change. There is a better way. We cannot become obsessed about what Government can do to the church but we need to concerned about compromise and complacency in the body of believers. Are we concerned about our own hearts? We know the laws don't change the heart but receiving the grace of God and looking to Him softens the heart to do what is right and to life by faith.

Marriage Matters/ Sexual Rebel The sexual revolution. We now can say we have seen it all. Why does marriage matter? - Because it shows a better way. When the world embraces and glorifies same sex attraction and gender identity but scorns biblical application, what can Christians do? Be faithful to what marriage really is. Not to get but to give. Marriage is not consumerism. I loved this quote Marriage is not just a relationship but also a responsibility. Marriage involves our expression of love but it also includes your contribution to the world to create a haven where your family is stable, where your children know both their mother and father, where trust is granted and love is displayed. Where two broken people are redeemed by the gift of marriage just as we are redeemed by the gift of the gospel.

As the World Wobbles-The world is always in a crisis. We can fear the future or wish for the past but each does not grasp the gospel. It is being faithful who God is and his promises. It is looking at eternity and not the now.

Each of these chapters remind us of a better way. A focus of the main thing. And that it still matters. Trevin has a unique background of faith serving in Romania and it is serving there, he brings perspective to the time we are living. It is during the oppression of God's people, that God moved the hearts of men and I believe that He is moving our hearts as well.

A Special Thank You to B & H Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

This book is the most relevant for our time that I have read in quite a while. Our youth group has just finished participating in a Discipleship Now weekend, and all I could think about is how badly our youth need this book. Christians everywhere need this book. The Church needs this book! Trevin Wax pulls no punches in this book. He may step on your toes and shine a light on things you may wish to remain hidden, but overall he shows a Christian path for a faithful presence in our culture.

The fact is that for most of us society is changing so rapidly that we simply cannot keep up. It's hard to stay on top of what is true and what is a myth. We become so absorbed in our culture that we often give in and go with the flow because it is the easiest thing to do.

In the first half of this book Wax looks at the habits that impact us day to day. The second half examines the larger myths that animate our society, including politics, marriage, and sexuality. One very interesting section talks about smart phones, social media, and social identities. Wax points out that the fact that "God doesn't just see the image you want the world to see; He sees what you'd never want the world to know. And He loves you anyway."

Next he discusses tips for freeing yourself from the enslavement of your smartphone and social media, and how to effectively utilize it for the glory of God. I'm sure you would agree that we spend entirely too much time on our devices. My young daughters are already addicted to YouTube Kids and Netflix on their tablets and I'm exactly sure how that all came about. It is time we purge our lives of all things that distract us from learning about and sharing the glory of God. I'm not advocating throwing away our smart phones and tablets, but rather being more responsible with them and loosening the leash they have on our lives.

Another dangerous practice Wax discusses is how we replace spiritual knowledge and gifts with material things. Consumerism in this country is out of control, especially around the holidays. The things of this world mean nothing. We cannot take them with us when we enter the Kingdom. Our focus should be on the Word of God and His love for us.

I also appreciate the section that examines popular songs, movies, and shows, warning that it is okay to like those things, but to be careful to not let them have a greater impact on you than the Church and the Word. The important thing to remember is to immerse yourself in the Word. Fill your heart with hymns and scripture. Otherwise the songs and sermons of the world will be your guide and anchor and you will he led astray.

The last sections that discuss tolerance, prosperity, morality, marriage, and sexuality are very well written. Wax points out that desensitization is not a sign of spiritual progress but of sensual dullness. We should never confuse the ability to be unfazed by depictions of sin as spiritual maturity. Wisdom draws on the resources of the past, looks to the promise of the future, and relies on the Spirit’s guidance in the present.

I recommend this book to all Christians, regardless of maturity level. As I mentioned earlier, our youth need this book - they are the young image bearers of Christ and our leaders of tomorrow. The Church needs this book - culture threatens to invade our walls and sway our perceptions and values. This book presents a Christian path for a faithful presence in our culture. I received this as a free ARC from B&H Books, B&H Publishing Group, on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.