Here we are, enjoying the “glistening autumnal side of summer,” as described by Thoreau. The return of a breeze and the subsiding of the heat is a welcome change for middle Tennessee, yet I can’t help but feel wistful at the diminishing hours of sunlight and the resumption of all the activities that mark the fall.
Over the years, I’ve learned to lean into the rhythms of summer—family trips, fewer meetings, and more time for reading and writing. I love pushing projects forward. As this summer comes to an end, I thought I’d offer a quick update on some of the work that has occupied my time.
Completing a Prayer Trilogy
First is the release of Letters of Paul in 30 Days, the next installment in a series of prayer guides. This volume follows Psalms in 30 Days and Life of Jesus in 30 Days, forming a trilogy of resources to aid in spiritual formation. If you’re unfamiliar with the practice of the “daily office,” a structured prayer routine grounded in Scripture, I hope these guides serve as a gentle introduction.
My friends at Holman have truly outdone themselves with these editions—elegant, inviting, almost begging to be opened and explored. And for those who’ve found value in this approach, a beautifully slip-cased bundle with all three volumes will soon be available, just in time for the season of giving. I’m grateful whenever I hear from readers who have found their prayer life enriched by this collection.
Finishing Up a Counter-Catechism
Next, I turn to a project two years in the making, a labor shared with my friend Thomas West. Together, we’ve been crafting a counter-catechism. Regarding the renewal of the church in the West, Tim Keller talked often about the need for “counter-catechesis”—methods for presenting Christianity’s foundational truths that speak directly to, and against, the dominant myths of contemporary society.
Thomas, who cut his theological teeth on the work of one of my heroes, the missionary theologian Lesslie Newbigin, planted a church in London and now serves as pastor of First Baptist in Nashville. During my first extended visit to Oxford, when I lived for a couple weeks at The Kilns, the two of us spent a day in the common room there, jotting down notes, debating what doctrines to cover, discussing how these truths cut against the grain of today’s cultural narratives, and drinking lots of hot tea and coffee.
Throughout 2023, we engaged in the slow, methodical work of drafting, revising, and refining the 50 questions and answers, each with commentary. The feedback we received from pastors and apologists was invaluable, steering us toward a final product we believe could be a sharpening tool in the hands of new Christians and long-time believers alike. After good conversations with multiple publishers, we chose to go with Harvest House, due in part to their team’s vision of a future iteration for children.
A friend of mine in the publishing industry, after hearing about this counter-catechism, described it as the capstone of a broader edifice I’d not realized I was constructing: (1) making a foundational case for creeds and confessions (The Thrill of Orthodoxy), (2) providing resources for personal prayer and devotion (the In 30 Days series of prayer guides), and (3) a catechetical tool designed to help Christians stand “against the world for the good of the world” (to borrow from Augustine). I’d not thought about how each of these resources complements and upholds the others, but I think he’s on to something, and I pray these efforts will fortify the faith of believers in our generation.
Preparing for a Third Podcast Season
Finally, a word about my podcast with the North American Mission Board, Reconstructing Faith. For those wondering if a third season is forthcoming, the answer is yes, though it’s been delayed. The narrative, documentary style of the show demands a great deal more time and effort than a standard conversational podcast, and the format makes it both challenging and rewarding to produce. The reception to the first two seasons has been encouraging—pastors using episodes as discussion starters, seminary students engaging with the material in class, laypeople finding it a source of constructive reflection.
I’m excited to announce that the third season will focus on a topic I find increasingly pressing: personal spiritual growth and development. As I look at the landscape of the church today, I can’t shake one question: What if all our hopes and desires for a healthier church are bound to be dashed because we aren’t healthy and we lack the necessary strength to contribute to the rebuilding of the church’s witness? It’s a haunting thought, one that has driven much of my work this summer.
The new season is slated for release in January 2025, since this fall my schedule is packed with speaking engagements, including a trip to Seoul for the Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization. I pray the podcast will offer a meaningful contribution to the ongoing conversation about the church’s renewal and our need for the Spirit to build us up and develop our character so we offer the fragrance of faithfulness to the world.
Back to Writing Regularly
Now that September is here, I plan to return to my twice-a-week columns at The Gospel Coalition. If you subscribe to my newsletter, you’ll get these columns in your inbox, along with reading recommendations from my book stack, my Trevin’s Seven list (seven article links worth checking out each week), something from my archives, a weekly podcast recommendation, and a classic TV clip for all the old school Nick at Nite fans out there.
It’s an honor to write, and I appreciate the support and encouragement from those who read my work.