Book Review: Awe

Awe by Paul Tripp

Review by Justin Holland

Awe is, at its core, an examination of our hearts and their propensity to worship idols. Paul Tripp delves into this subject with descriptive, accessible prose that helps readers plumb the depths of their own awe.

While Calvin says the heart of man is an idol factory, Tripp says the heart of man has a longing to worship. We will seek awe in either our Creator or the things He’s created, primarily ourselves. By framing our desire to worship as awe instead of the more common terminology of idolatry, Tripp makes our problem more accessible.

Tripp spends the first half of the book walking through the consequences of misplaced awe. He unpacks our longings and desires, and how we have to constantly battle against our awe of the created over the Creator. Scripture is central as Tripp points out that not only are we created for awe of the Creator, but we are surrounded by beauty and abundance that all should continually remind us of a good God who has blessed us incalculably.

The second half of the book addresses how awe affects our lives on a day-to-day basis, from how we worship and enjoy creation to how we work, parent, and fellowship. Our awe influences everything we do. When our awe is constantly on our creator, it changes our hearts and motivations for why we do everything, namely for Him rather than us.

Awe reminded me of Gospel Treason by Brad Bigney, addressing the wayward hearts of humans. But where Awe shines is in its encouragement and practical application. While reading, I felt absolutely convicted and, in some cases, brokenhearted over how my own awe and worship is so often misplaced. But Tripp’s writing is gracious and encouraging throughout the book, pointing me back to Christ and His forgiveness.

Awe is a roller coaster that left me deeply affected by Tripp’s message: God designed us for awe. We’re going to worship something, usually ourselves. Only awe of Him and Him alone will lead to true transformation and conformity to the image of Christ. Let us worship Him and nothing else.

Justin Holland

Justin has been member of Faith Bible Church since 2021. He and his wife, Bri, have four children.

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