The Thrill of Orthodoxy

"Trevin Wax shows that traditional orthodox Christianity might not be as glossy and glamorous as Christianity gone worldly, but it is ancient, majestic, global, and glorious. It is a tried and tested alternative to the faddish and fragmentary fakes that masquerade as Christianity in some places. Trevin is not pushing dry doctrine but passing on fresh fire that is thousands of years old."

-Michael F. Bird, academic dean and lecturer in New Testament at Ridley College in Melbourne, Australia

"Trevin Wax shows that 'orthodox thrill' is not an oxymoron. He explains with clear metaphors why Christian doctrine is important: imagine 'a football field where no one measured the yards.' He proposes neither cultural retreat nor accommodation and shows why pitting 'love' against doctrine or deeds against creeds is folly. The Thrill of Orthodoxy is an excellent overview for all who want their churches to be both hospitals for sinners and schools for saints."

-Marvin Olasky, senior fellow, Discovery Institute

"What bursts forth when Chesterton, Lewis, Sayers, and Tozer all meet together in one place? Trevin Wax's masterpiece The Thrill of Orthodoxy! With wise enthusiasm, Wax shows the weary, world-worn, or simply disinterested pilgrim how right belief has laid a path through the darkness into bright adventure ahead. Conforming our souls to the holy proves the most wildly nonconformist and yet fulfilling thing we can do. Read here why 'adventure' starts with 'advent.' For indeed, as Wax reminds us, by trusting the true yet unplumbable mysteries of God, yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!"

-Carolyn Weber, author of Surprised by Oxford

"Obviously, we're not the first Christians. Nor did our generation invent Christian thought. We are the recipients of a long line of Christians' insights, mistakes, and ways of speaking about God and the Christian faith. Trevin celebrates the treasures of the Christian faith and sound doctrine. Being dazzled by the old truths is the best means to deepen our understanding of the Christian faith, increase our dependence on God's revelation in Jesus Christ and Holy Scriptures, fuel our worship of God, increase our love for each other, and motivate mission to the world."

-Justin S. Holcomb, seminary professor, Episcopal minister, and author of Know the Creeds and Councils

"As the culture has become decadent, the church in the modern West has often followed suit, dull to the things of God and often worked up about pursuits that in the end are 'wood, hay or straw' (1 Cor. 3:12). Like the Corinthian church of old, we've become fleshly in our divisions and fixated on peripheral squabbles. If we're honest, we've become bored by the things 'of first importance' (1 Cor. 15:3)—we lose sight of the gospel and forget God. In The Thrill of Orthodoxy, Trevin Wax argues that the church faces her biggest challenge not when new errors start to win but when old truths fail to wow. With Chestertonian wit, joy, and incisiveness, he invites us into the great adventure of orthodoxy. If you're wavering in your faith or seeking a renewed wonder in the Christian life, then let Wax be your guide."

-Ivan Mesa, editorial director, The Gospel Coalition

"The Thrill of Orthodoxy is an evangelical road map out of the greatest dangers facing the church today: the aimlessness of doctrinal deconstruction and the emptiness of religious fundamentalism, the despair of cultural retreat and the lure of political power, the impulse to detract from Christianity's gospel of grace, and the temptation to dismiss Christianity's moral claims. The foundations of the faith 'once for all delivered to the saints' are but a generation away from erosion among those who presuppose orthodoxy. Trevin beckons us back to the consuming wonder of discovering this treasure of truth."

-Katie McCoy, director of women's ministry for Texas Baptists

"In a culture where most believe that truth is relative and words like orthodoxy evoke yawns and eye rolls, Trevin Wax gives a clarion call back to the historic Christian faith as taught in Scripture and summarized in the three ecumenical creeds. Trevin shows that it is actually Christian orthodoxy that is thrilling, not the individualized backwaters of relativistic heresy. This is a needed book for the new believer and mature Christian alike."

-Matthew Y. Emerson, dean of theology, arts, and humanities at Oklahoma Baptist University and author of "He Descended to the Dead"

"The orthodox Christian faith is more than just a set of beliefs or a code of behavior. In this wonderful book, Trevin Wax calls us to pilgrimage and adventure, a journey toward that city with God-laid foundations, a place called home. A great gift to the church in the best tradition of G. K. Chesterton and C. S. Lewis!"

-Timothy George, distinguished professor at Beeson Divinity School and general editor of the Reformation Commentary on Scripture