Awe
Paul Tripp's "Awe" emerges from his observation that contemporary Christianity suffers from a profound lack of wonder before God. Writing as a pastor and counselor who has witnessed the spiritual flatness that characterizes much modern church life, Tripp argues that believers have reduced the infinite God to manageable categories, losing the transformative power that comes from encountering divine majesty. The book responds to what Tripp sees as a crisis of imagination in which Christians know theological facts about God but remain unmoved by his glory.
Tripp's central argument is that awe is not merely an emotional response but the foundation of all genuine spiritual transformation. He contends that when believers truly grasp God's transcendence, immanence, and grace, this recognition reshapes how they understand themselves, their circumstances, and their calling. The book traces how awe should inform daily life, from mundane tasks to significant trials, showing that wonder before God provides both humility and confidence. Tripp emphasizes that awe is cultivated through sustained attention to Scripture's revelation of God's character, particularly as displayed in creation, providence, and redemption. He argues that this divine perspective liberates believers from both self-condemnation and self-righteousness, creating space for authentic growth and service.
The book has found a significant readership among Reformed Christians and those in pastoral ministry who resonate with Tripp's diagnosis of spiritual complacency. Its accessibility and practical focus have made it popular in small group studies and personal devotion, while its theological framework appeals to readers seeking to connect reformed doctrine with heart-level transformation.
Who should read this: Believers who find their faith has become routine or emotionally flat will benefit from Tripp's call to wonder, as will pastors and counselors seeking to help others move beyond mere intellectual assent to engaged worship. Those looking for complex theological analysis or detailed biblical exegesis should look elsewhere.