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Holy Subversion
Christians are too often guilty of pledging their allegiance to the influential principalities and powers of this age rather than to Christ alone. In Holy Subversion , Trevin Wax challenges such behavior by urging a return to the subversive lifestyle of the earliest Christians. Their proclamation and demonstration that "Jesus is Lord" directly opposed the Caesar worship of their day.
Today, Christians in the West must choose between Jesus and our "Caesars": self, success, money, leisure, sex, power. What would it look like, asks Wax, if today's church reclaimed the communal, subversive nature of the gospel, intentionally undermining all contenders for our devotion? How would the message that "Jesus is Lord" change our thinking about our jobs, our families, and our church participation? Here this gifted pastor-theologian offers help in taking our faith public, dethroning modern-day Caesars, honoring the Lordship of Christ, and understanding the church as the ultimate counterculture-an embodiment of Christ's supremacy over all.
Today, Christians in the West must choose between Jesus and our "Caesars": self, success, money, leisure, sex, power. What would it look like, asks Wax, if today's church reclaimed the communal, subversive nature of the gospel, intentionally undermining all contenders for our devotion? How would the message that "Jesus is Lord" change our thinking about our jobs, our families, and our church participation? Here this gifted pastor-theologian offers help in taking our faith public, dethroning modern-day Caesars, honoring the Lordship of Christ, and understanding the church as the ultimate counterculture-an embodiment of Christ's supremacy over all.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 13, 2010
22 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
About the author
Trevin K. Wax
30 books133 followersTrevin Wax is the Bible and Reference Publisher for LifeWay Christian Resources. A former missionary to Romania, Trevin hosts a blog at The Gospel Coalition and regularly contributes to The Washington Post, Religion News Service, World, and Christianity Today, which named him one of thirty-three millennials shaping the next generation of evangelicals. His previous books include Counterfeit Gospels, Clear Winter Nights, and Gospel-Centered Teaching. He and his wife Corina have three children.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 23, 2010
My envy stirs within me--A well-written, easy to read book on Christian living by a 28 year old who comes from a Reformed view of faith rather than the Emergent anti-creed, anti-church, humble-as-a-worm stuff so popular right now.
October 3, 2025
Short and full of thought provoking examples of how viewing Jesus is Lord subverts cultural assumptions of what we want to follow. I especially liked how he tied together ancient Roman culture (the context where Christianity was born) and modern western culture (the context where I live).
May 3, 2013
"Lord" is the title that the New Testament writers repeatedly assign to Jesus Christ. Lord ("Kurios" in Greek) was also the title that Caesar took for himself. This is no coincidence. The original preachers of the gospel understood that at the heart of the message they were called by God to proclaim was the fact that God the Father had given Jesus all authority in heaven and on earth. Caesar was not the ultimate authority but King Jesus was. Caesar was not to be worshipped, although he demanded it, only God was. Whenever Caesar's commands conflicted with those of Jesus, the disciples and apostles of Jesus obeyed God rather than the civil authority. Jesus, not Caesar, was Lord of all.
Trevin Wax has reminded us of this truth, a truth which must have come as a startling and disconcerting fact to the original hearers of the gospel message. The gospel of Jesus subverted the authority claims of Caesar over all of life. There could only be one ultimate authority figure in the life of a Christian and it had to be Jesus. He demanded to be Lord of all. Jesus does not share the throne of the universe with any other power and he will not share the throne of your life with any other power. Jesus demands total allegiance of his disciples. He is not satisfied with lordship over your religious sentiments and your Sunday mornings. To be a true Christian (Christ-one) means to have Jesus and only Jesus as master of your whole life in all its aspects.
Rome fell long ago, but we still have many "Caesars" calling for and demanding our allegiance. Just like the emperors of the Rome of long ago, there are many things which demand our time, energy and affection. When we give our allegiance to those things, when they become a central focus to us, we are ultimately and effectively rendering them our worship rather than rendering it to the Triune God alone. The author identifies some of the main competitors for our allegiance today as being self, success, money, leisure, sex, and power. Trevin points out that these things are not bad in and of themselves any more than legitimate civil authority is, but it is when we elevate these things to the place of control over us and allegiance to in our lives that we have effectively given them the lordship of our lives that only Jesus ought to, and rightfully does, have. This book is a call to a whole-hearted return to Jesus alone as Lord of all for the church. This return will affect every aspect of our lives - family, marriage, leisure, work - ultimately everything. This is a call to recognize that Christ is the foundation and center of all things for his people and that this fact ought to affect how we think and act in all areas of our lives.
Trevin concludes this book with a challenge to make this very public call to allegiance to Jesus as Lord central to our evangelism as it was to the evangelism of the early church. After all, this is the pattern we see in the apostolic proclamation of the gospel. We proclaim Jesus as Lord over against all else which demands people's allegiance and worship in our culture today.
This is a relatively short and very accessible book. It is not only for pastors and students but could be profitably read by any Christian. I highly recommend it. For further and more in depth study, see also "Idols for Destruction: The Conflict of Christian Faith and American Culture", Herbert Schlossberg.
Trevin Wax has reminded us of this truth, a truth which must have come as a startling and disconcerting fact to the original hearers of the gospel message. The gospel of Jesus subverted the authority claims of Caesar over all of life. There could only be one ultimate authority figure in the life of a Christian and it had to be Jesus. He demanded to be Lord of all. Jesus does not share the throne of the universe with any other power and he will not share the throne of your life with any other power. Jesus demands total allegiance of his disciples. He is not satisfied with lordship over your religious sentiments and your Sunday mornings. To be a true Christian (Christ-one) means to have Jesus and only Jesus as master of your whole life in all its aspects.
Rome fell long ago, but we still have many "Caesars" calling for and demanding our allegiance. Just like the emperors of the Rome of long ago, there are many things which demand our time, energy and affection. When we give our allegiance to those things, when they become a central focus to us, we are ultimately and effectively rendering them our worship rather than rendering it to the Triune God alone. The author identifies some of the main competitors for our allegiance today as being self, success, money, leisure, sex, and power. Trevin points out that these things are not bad in and of themselves any more than legitimate civil authority is, but it is when we elevate these things to the place of control over us and allegiance to in our lives that we have effectively given them the lordship of our lives that only Jesus ought to, and rightfully does, have. This book is a call to a whole-hearted return to Jesus alone as Lord of all for the church. This return will affect every aspect of our lives - family, marriage, leisure, work - ultimately everything. This is a call to recognize that Christ is the foundation and center of all things for his people and that this fact ought to affect how we think and act in all areas of our lives.
Trevin concludes this book with a challenge to make this very public call to allegiance to Jesus as Lord central to our evangelism as it was to the evangelism of the early church. After all, this is the pattern we see in the apostolic proclamation of the gospel. We proclaim Jesus as Lord over against all else which demands people's allegiance and worship in our culture today.
This is a relatively short and very accessible book. It is not only for pastors and students but could be profitably read by any Christian. I highly recommend it. For further and more in depth study, see also "Idols for Destruction: The Conflict of Christian Faith and American Culture", Herbert Schlossberg.
April 23, 2012
The teaching calls you out of a life of living for your own and living for Christ. Unlike other books on idolatary, this one I think is more on the majesty of God and who is. You are not left with any doubts, however, you are left convicted of the heart. It is broken up of what is our Ceasars and helps you to see the idolatry in your heart and we are not much different from the Roman times. I think it is very easy to become blind to our idolatary and has we do, we become blind to who God is. It really is a fight. Being a christian in not passive. The gospel is center to idolatary and it is only by the cross our hearts can be crucified. I also liked that Wax emphasized community. Community in the church. it vital. However, we are to be cautious of power in the church. Power is shared and not concentrated in one place. When we as churches divide into factions according to social status, musical status (etc) we are procleaiming to the world that something other than the cross of Jesus Christ unites us. We should be united by the cross, not our age. Jesus died to reconcile us not divide us. As a church we must be mindful of "programs" that divide. Another thing that gripped me was the silence, how we have become a nation of noise even in churches. When we are quiet, then we have to face the reality. Great book.
June 25, 2020
Nothing fancy, but solid through and through. This is a book about idolatry, but instead of using idolatry language, Wax instead connects to the early church and how they have to subvert the power of Caesar (who declared himself to be ultimate and God). As a result, throughout the book he uses the term “Caesar” (Caesar of Money, Caesar of Sex, etc.) instead of idol, but he means the same thing.
The book therefore doesn’t set forth anything too unique. Nevertheless, it’s a good read. He provides some great insights. I especially loved his chapters on the self, money, and sex. And another bonus is he is helpfully communal in his focus, rather than merely individualistic (which can often be the case when talking about idols).
In each chapter, he’d give a little into and then he’d say something like “the church subverts the Caesar of [blank] in [x number] of ways…” And then he’d spend the rest of the chapter giving those 3-4 points. There’s nothing wrong with this in itself, but it did feel a little uncreative, and by the time you were reading the last few chapters, you could see the pattern very clearly.
Overall, though, a good book about us—individually but also as the church as a whole—not living for these competing Caesars of our day.
The book therefore doesn’t set forth anything too unique. Nevertheless, it’s a good read. He provides some great insights. I especially loved his chapters on the self, money, and sex. And another bonus is he is helpfully communal in his focus, rather than merely individualistic (which can often be the case when talking about idols).
In each chapter, he’d give a little into and then he’d say something like “the church subverts the Caesar of [blank] in [x number] of ways…” And then he’d spend the rest of the chapter giving those 3-4 points. There’s nothing wrong with this in itself, but it did feel a little uncreative, and by the time you were reading the last few chapters, you could see the pattern very clearly.
Overall, though, a good book about us—individually but also as the church as a whole—not living for these competing Caesars of our day.
August 19, 2017
Trevin Wax is one of my favorite authors and this book did disappoint. Highlighting the idols we worship in our lives, this book is for any age group and should be read by all of us. Highest recommendation
February 22, 2010
I’ll admit that I was highly interested in obtaining a copy of the first book by Trevin Wax, who is the associate pastor of First Baptist Church in Shelbyville, TN. Not only is he a guy who is my age that writes a tremendous
blog
and received book endorsements from a “who’s who” list of pastors and theologians (Johnny Hunt, Al Mohler, J.I. Packer, to name a few), but he also has a Stevens Street connection. Wax has traveled to (and actually lived & studied in) Oradea, Romania, with our very own Bob Ward!
This is an outstanding book by its own merit, but I was especially thankful to have read it just a week after reading “ Counterfeit Gods ”. The books deal with the same subject (and are even structured quite similarly), but from a very different perspective. Because Tim Keller’s book had convicted me so much about seeking out the idols in my own life, I was “ripe” for being ministered to by “Holy Subversion”.
Wax begins his book by identifying two definitions of the word “subversion”. The first refers to “overthrowing”, or plotting the downfall of a kingdom. The second, which is the definition he uses in this book, refers to “pushing something back down into its proper place.” The early Christians, Wax says, were subversive in the way they lived their lives, because they refused to honor Caesar as king of kings and lord of lords. While they were submissive to their governing authorities, as required by the New Testament, they did not allow the government to assume ultimate authority. They believed that God had given authority to the rulers, and that government is a gift from God for our good (Romans 13:4). They also believed, however, that this delegated authority was only properly administered under submission to God. Thus, they subverted Caesar’s authority to its rightful place under God, and were persecuted for it.
Wax then identifies what he calls the “Caesars of our day”, which are the things which exercise lordship over our lives. This list is strikingly similar to Keller’s list of idols… which is to be expected when both books base their arguments off of the same source of Truth! Where Keller’s book dealt primarily with identifying and understanding the idols we serve, Wax deals more practically with subverting the “Caesars” of self, success, money, leisure, sex, and power. Each of these things, when seen in its proper context through a Biblical worldview, is a gift from God. When we allow these gifts to occupy a position higher than the Giver, however, they become oppressive rulers that destroy our lives. We must live subversively like the early Christians, placing God on His throne where he belongs.
The best tool for subversive living is to be in close communion with the Body of Christ, living Biblically and evangelizing the world around us. When Christians proclaim that Jesus is Lord over ALL of life, and live according to that claim, we will turn the world upside down like the early believers (Acts 17:6). Our lives will be so counter-cultural that we will expose our culture’s “myth of tolerance” for what it is: “a parody of the Christian understanding of love”. Like the early Christians, though, we risk “unleashing waves of severe persecution” by doing this.
Subversive living is not easy, but it is our duty as Christians. It is impossible in our own strength, but God has sent us His Spirit, by whose power we are able to truly follow Christ.
I commend this book to you, and especially recommend reading it paired with “Counterfeit Gods”. It will convict you, but it will also encourage you greatly.
This is an outstanding book by its own merit, but I was especially thankful to have read it just a week after reading “ Counterfeit Gods ”. The books deal with the same subject (and are even structured quite similarly), but from a very different perspective. Because Tim Keller’s book had convicted me so much about seeking out the idols in my own life, I was “ripe” for being ministered to by “Holy Subversion”.
Wax begins his book by identifying two definitions of the word “subversion”. The first refers to “overthrowing”, or plotting the downfall of a kingdom. The second, which is the definition he uses in this book, refers to “pushing something back down into its proper place.” The early Christians, Wax says, were subversive in the way they lived their lives, because they refused to honor Caesar as king of kings and lord of lords. While they were submissive to their governing authorities, as required by the New Testament, they did not allow the government to assume ultimate authority. They believed that God had given authority to the rulers, and that government is a gift from God for our good (Romans 13:4). They also believed, however, that this delegated authority was only properly administered under submission to God. Thus, they subverted Caesar’s authority to its rightful place under God, and were persecuted for it.
Wax then identifies what he calls the “Caesars of our day”, which are the things which exercise lordship over our lives. This list is strikingly similar to Keller’s list of idols… which is to be expected when both books base their arguments off of the same source of Truth! Where Keller’s book dealt primarily with identifying and understanding the idols we serve, Wax deals more practically with subverting the “Caesars” of self, success, money, leisure, sex, and power. Each of these things, when seen in its proper context through a Biblical worldview, is a gift from God. When we allow these gifts to occupy a position higher than the Giver, however, they become oppressive rulers that destroy our lives. We must live subversively like the early Christians, placing God on His throne where he belongs.
The best tool for subversive living is to be in close communion with the Body of Christ, living Biblically and evangelizing the world around us. When Christians proclaim that Jesus is Lord over ALL of life, and live according to that claim, we will turn the world upside down like the early believers (Acts 17:6). Our lives will be so counter-cultural that we will expose our culture’s “myth of tolerance” for what it is: “a parody of the Christian understanding of love”. Like the early Christians, though, we risk “unleashing waves of severe persecution” by doing this.
Subversive living is not easy, but it is our duty as Christians. It is impossible in our own strength, but God has sent us His Spirit, by whose power we are able to truly follow Christ.
I commend this book to you, and especially recommend reading it paired with “Counterfeit Gods”. It will convict you, but it will also encourage you greatly.
January 27, 2011
A lot of books have been written about idolatry lately. Many Christians are re-discovering Martin Luther’s idea about not being able to break any of the commandments without initially breaking the first and second. There is sound, biblical truth in these sentiments, and I’m glad that writers like Timothy Keller (Counterfeit Gods) and others have used their talents to practically apply this truth to our context in the 21st century. Add to that list Trevin Wax. His new book, Holy Subversion, is a potent yet practical look at how to address the different idols in our lives.
What does Wax mean by “subversion”? He operates with this definition: “pushing something back down into its proper place” (26). He compares our time to ancient Rome when Ceasar was declared to be divine and how Christians “subverted” this by refusing to attribute allegiance to him that only God and Christ deserve. He basically sums up the intentions of the book as such then: “[Our] job as Christians is to first identify and unmask some of the more insidious ‘Ceasars’ that seek to muzzle our message and demand our allegiance. Then, we must think through specific ways in which the church can counter our culture by subverting its prevailing idolatries and pushing them back to their rightful place, under the feet of Jesus” (27).
Wax tackles specific “Ceasars” that tend to take precedence in our lives today (success, money, leisure, sex, power) and shows how to keep them in their proper places in our lives. Avoiding legalistic demands on one hand and liberal license on the other, he weaves through the issues, deftly applying biblical truths to real life.
My favorite chapter, the first after the introductory chapter, was on the subverting of the self. Like breaking the first commandments, all other idolatries tend to involve placing ourselves (our wants, desires, pleasures) above God. Using a “walk through Ephesians,” Wax dismantles our pride by showing God’s sovereignty in our salvation and our utter helplessness before Him. The progression of thought, then, from this chapter to the others makes perfect sense, finally ending with a chapter on evangelism and how living this way will influence that.
This short (150 pages) and fairly easy read was highly enjoyable for me. It’s packed with Scriptural truth yet connected intimately to our lives. In a world that makes constant demands on us for our time, resources, and attention, we need to be careful what we’re worshipping with those things. We Christians tend to be almost indistinguishable from non-believers a lot of the time in how we live our lives. By subverting the idols our culture wants us to have, we show others that Christ is of highest value. He’s the only one truly worthy of our worship.
What does Wax mean by “subversion”? He operates with this definition: “pushing something back down into its proper place” (26). He compares our time to ancient Rome when Ceasar was declared to be divine and how Christians “subverted” this by refusing to attribute allegiance to him that only God and Christ deserve. He basically sums up the intentions of the book as such then: “[Our] job as Christians is to first identify and unmask some of the more insidious ‘Ceasars’ that seek to muzzle our message and demand our allegiance. Then, we must think through specific ways in which the church can counter our culture by subverting its prevailing idolatries and pushing them back to their rightful place, under the feet of Jesus” (27).
Wax tackles specific “Ceasars” that tend to take precedence in our lives today (success, money, leisure, sex, power) and shows how to keep them in their proper places in our lives. Avoiding legalistic demands on one hand and liberal license on the other, he weaves through the issues, deftly applying biblical truths to real life.
My favorite chapter, the first after the introductory chapter, was on the subverting of the self. Like breaking the first commandments, all other idolatries tend to involve placing ourselves (our wants, desires, pleasures) above God. Using a “walk through Ephesians,” Wax dismantles our pride by showing God’s sovereignty in our salvation and our utter helplessness before Him. The progression of thought, then, from this chapter to the others makes perfect sense, finally ending with a chapter on evangelism and how living this way will influence that.
This short (150 pages) and fairly easy read was highly enjoyable for me. It’s packed with Scriptural truth yet connected intimately to our lives. In a world that makes constant demands on us for our time, resources, and attention, we need to be careful what we’re worshipping with those things. We Christians tend to be almost indistinguishable from non-believers a lot of the time in how we live our lives. By subverting the idols our culture wants us to have, we show others that Christ is of highest value. He’s the only one truly worthy of our worship.
April 24, 2012
Trevin Wax's book is all about subverting the things that often take God's place of preemenince in the lives of Christians. This book is practical and left me challenged to change several areas of my life, and perhaps this book could be compared to Francis Chan's book "Crazy Love." The writing styles of Chan and Wax are very different, but both men write for the purpose of calling believers to live lives fully committed to Jesus Christ. This book opens up with some good historical explanation about how early church Christians went "against the grain" and challenged Caesar's place as king over their lives, all the while respecting their earthly authorities. Wax addresses 7 key areas that need subverting. What he means by subverting is that Christians need to intentionally live counterculturally in specific ways about specific things, which are:
1. Self
2. Success
3. Money
4. Leisure
5. Sex
6. Power
7. Evangelism
This book answers the following 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?"
Some quotes from the 7 areas discussed in this book:
1. "Communities of faith are subversive when they place their own personal happiness aside and find joy in putting others first."
2. "Christians must see faithfulness to Christ and his church as the goal, not the means to greater influence and bigger size."
3. "Money is a terrific servant, but a terrible master." "Money's power is renounced when we give it away freely."
4. "Instead of being a friend to a hard worker, leisure often morphs into a taskmaster that squeezes the life out of us."
5. "The physical commitment together that happens between two people who are not married is only a distorted imitation of sex, as Walt Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort is only a simulation of real wilderness."
6. "God himself named Adam, which means that all human authority is ultimately delegated to us by God." "The cross is the climax of the great themes of reversal found throughout the Old and New Testament."
7. "To seek a life of Christian ease and comfort is to seek a false Christ. We do not call people to Christ because Christianity is easy. We call people to Christ because Christianity is true. And evangelism that subverts the Caesar of Consumerism will speak truthfuly regarding the costs of discipleship."
1. Self
2. Success
3. Money
4. Leisure
5. Sex
6. Power
7. Evangelism
This book answers the following 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?"
Some quotes from the 7 areas discussed in this book:
1. "Communities of faith are subversive when they place their own personal happiness aside and find joy in putting others first."
2. "Christians must see faithfulness to Christ and his church as the goal, not the means to greater influence and bigger size."
3. "Money is a terrific servant, but a terrible master." "Money's power is renounced when we give it away freely."
4. "Instead of being a friend to a hard worker, leisure often morphs into a taskmaster that squeezes the life out of us."
5. "The physical commitment together that happens between two people who are not married is only a distorted imitation of sex, as Walt Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort is only a simulation of real wilderness."
6. "God himself named Adam, which means that all human authority is ultimately delegated to us by God." "The cross is the climax of the great themes of reversal found throughout the Old and New Testament."
7. "To seek a life of Christian ease and comfort is to seek a false Christ. We do not call people to Christ because Christianity is easy. We call people to Christ because Christianity is true. And evangelism that subverts the Caesar of Consumerism will speak truthfuly regarding the costs of discipleship."
August 12, 2012
What would it look like if Christians actually lived their lives according to their beliefs? If they lived their temporal lives in accordance with their eternal hope?
In a word, persecution. We get a glimpse of this when we take a look at the Christians of the first century. They turned the whole world upside down, and in turn, the world turned on them.
But why?
Because these pesky, troublesome Christians were different. They didn't worship the Caesar who could put them to death. (Didn't they realize they could just tell him what he wanted to hear and keep their lives?!) They weren't out for power or money, in fact they served others and gave it away. Who did they think they were? While everyone was busy worshiping Caesar and their lusts, Christians were proclaiming a Savior who they claimed died and rose again, for their sins!
These early Christians caused quite a commotion, but today we are hardly noticed. What happened? Trevin Wax explores this issue in his book Holy Subversion: Allegiance to Christ in an Age of Rivals. Today we may not serve a Caesar who is in charge of our government, but there are many other Caesars that we let control our lives. Trevin exposes a few of these Caesars, and shares how we can subvert their power, so that we can live lives that truly reflect our belief and hope in Christ.
Below is a list of the Chapters or "Caesars" the book tackles.
Subverting the Self
Subverting Success
Subverting Money
Subverting Leisure
Subverting Sex
Subverting Power
Subversive Evangelism
As you can see, these are the big ones. The ones that if we are honest, we all struggle with.
Just think how much we would be noticed if we thought of others more than ourselves, or measured success by our faithfulness instead of our paychecks. What if we focused on giving instead of gaining wealth? What would the world think if we kept ourselves from the filth and excess of today's entertainment and rejoiced in sex only within marriage?
Holy Subversion looks deep into these issues and points the way towards making a difference. Needless to say, the arguments are both convicting and compelling. It will cause you take an inventory of your current state, which though painful, leads to repentance and sanctification.
You may not like what you see in yourself, but you will like what you see in this book!
In a word, persecution. We get a glimpse of this when we take a look at the Christians of the first century. They turned the whole world upside down, and in turn, the world turned on them.
But why?
Because these pesky, troublesome Christians were different. They didn't worship the Caesar who could put them to death. (Didn't they realize they could just tell him what he wanted to hear and keep their lives?!) They weren't out for power or money, in fact they served others and gave it away. Who did they think they were? While everyone was busy worshiping Caesar and their lusts, Christians were proclaiming a Savior who they claimed died and rose again, for their sins!
These early Christians caused quite a commotion, but today we are hardly noticed. What happened? Trevin Wax explores this issue in his book Holy Subversion: Allegiance to Christ in an Age of Rivals. Today we may not serve a Caesar who is in charge of our government, but there are many other Caesars that we let control our lives. Trevin exposes a few of these Caesars, and shares how we can subvert their power, so that we can live lives that truly reflect our belief and hope in Christ.
Below is a list of the Chapters or "Caesars" the book tackles.
Subverting the Self
Subverting Success
Subverting Money
Subverting Leisure
Subverting Sex
Subverting Power
Subversive Evangelism
As you can see, these are the big ones. The ones that if we are honest, we all struggle with.
Just think how much we would be noticed if we thought of others more than ourselves, or measured success by our faithfulness instead of our paychecks. What if we focused on giving instead of gaining wealth? What would the world think if we kept ourselves from the filth and excess of today's entertainment and rejoiced in sex only within marriage?
Holy Subversion looks deep into these issues and points the way towards making a difference. Needless to say, the arguments are both convicting and compelling. It will cause you take an inventory of your current state, which though painful, leads to repentance and sanctification.
You may not like what you see in yourself, but you will like what you see in this book!
February 6, 2010
I like to think I'm partial because I know the author, but I think this book has some great points about modern day idolatry. Many Christians today proclaim the name of Christ, but their lives look just like the world. This book deals with how our individual lives could make a cultural change if people are willing to turn away from the modern day idols such as self, career success, and money. This book caused me to examine my life to make sure that my behavior is lining up with the Jesus that I say I believe in. I don't agree with everything that was said. There was a negative comment about church daycares, and I disagreed with the interpretation of "be fruitful and multiply." Otherwise, I thought it was a great book.
August 7, 2010
A short and light book that biblically describes what it means to live "in the world", but not "of the world" as Christ did. This book in one sense establishes the lifestyle that not only glorifies Christ in obedience - but also proclaims Christ for His glory. Trevin Wax explains how the subversion of idols proclaims Christ's lordship and what this subversion looks like. Wax also rightly proposes a model for a Christ-centered gospel presentation that does not privatize or personalize the gospel.
June 5, 2012
Clear, concise and straight to the point, this book deals with modern day idolatries such as success, wealth, power, sex and leisure. It provides practical but sharp ideas and concepts that can be applied straightaway in subverting our allegiance back to Christ. In this postmodern era, this book is a gem that every Christian can reap its benefits for the growth of their faith, proclaiming and witnessing Christ-centered faith.
December 12, 2014
I read this book at precisely the right time. There's a challenge here to surrender our egocentric view of the universe. The gospel and God's plan of redemption is one that is presented in scripture as radically God centred. I needed to here this while preparing a message on Jonah 4. God's question to Jonah, "do you do well to be angry?" challenged his Jonah-centric outlook in a very straightforward fashion. Great wee read.
January 12, 2015
Holy Subversion is a short, good book. It flies at 10,000 feet, but not at the expense of being brutally practical. Similar to Tim Keller's Counterfeit Gods, Wax's book hits at many common American evangelical idolatries, and is deeply convicting.
This was easily my favorite quote from the book, from a section on the idolatry of power:
"Whereas the world may estimate our rank and authority by how many people are serving us, God estimates our rank by how many people we are serving."
This was easily my favorite quote from the book, from a section on the idolatry of power:
"Whereas the world may estimate our rank and authority by how many people are serving us, God estimates our rank by how many people we are serving."
December 24, 2013
hands down the best book ive read this year. the author chin checked me from the first to the last chapters, exposing idols in my ownlife. if you want your ears tickled,this is not the book for you. but if you want to be challenged in your walk, it is.
March 4, 2015
Trevin Wax did a good job helping the reader see the need to be subversive toward this world's "Caesars" - self, success, leisure, money, sex and power. The key is putting the Lordship of Christ on display through our lives and choices for the world to see. Simple, bib;ical and to the point.
September 26, 2010
"With Francis Schaeffer-like instincts and insight, Trevin Wax aptly identifies the idols of our time and compellingly calls Christians to live against the world for the world."
August 11, 2011
A fast read (only 147 pages) but well worth your time! I would recommend (or loan) it to anyone!
January 13, 2012
A simple, clear, well-written book, designed to help Christians resist a variety of competitors for their spiritual allegiance. Helpful as an aid to self-reflection and self-examination.
January 3, 2013
Enjoyed his perspective on the Caesars of the day in both First Century and today. Great read.
July 30, 2015
Thoughtful
This was a thoughtful insight into the tight grasp that the culture today has on the church as a whole and individuals.
This was a thoughtful insight into the tight grasp that the culture today has on the church as a whole and individuals.
January 9, 2016
Anti-Populist, Anti-worldly, Christ Exalting Book!
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