Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl: Wide-Eyed Wonder in God's Spoken World

'Notes' is truly a small slice of heavenly art; a picture of what is and where it is going. As a doctoral student in philosophy, a minister, and resident of the whirling ball I can honestly say that this book captures something of the unity and diversity of God's glory that many others do not. Unlike other commentators (and no offense) I take Nate at his word that there is intention in every page. The work is like a tapestry, not a scratch and sniff. One must dig, wait, watch the thread, hold on, and not let seeming confusion confirm suspicions of incongruity. The book is a mirror to redemptive history: many stories, one great purpose and goal and God. I enjoy Don Miller, but this is no wannabe. Nate brings a fresh brush stroke, a wisely used artists' pallet to the exposition of the beauty of a universe where God is utterly huge...and you...dear reader, are not. Read this book for a feast of the fantastic.

I'm not sure where to begin with this one, or how to communicate everything I'd like to without re-typing the entire text here. I laughed - both that genuinely amused kind of laugh and that startled out of my comfort zone awkward laugh. I teared up - both from heartache and gladness. I underlined and bracket-ed and read pages at a time out-loud to my poor, unsuspecting husband. I gushed and I quit writing before I ever really began because Wilson has captured everything that is both horrid and beautiful in the world in every perfectly-crafted phrase I could have ever dreamed to pen. So let's start here: buy this book. Wilson uses words like Rembrandt used hues to establish himself as the 21st century's C.S. Lewis. The 21st century's C.S. Lewis, with an extra shot of eccentric. Notes From The Tilt-A-Whirl presents life and creation as God's greatest masterpiece by evaluating the work as a whole, musing on the Artist Himself, and analyzing every colorful or dreary detail. Wilson's Notes will expand your view to appreciate creation at large, and focus your gaze to relish the details - soft and fuzzy, or dark and painful - at the same time. And the language is wonderful. The whimsical cover and first taste of the Preface combined to make me wonder if this wasn't going to be a little pretentious, self-important, and/or exhausting. If this wasn't just a guy who likes being a little silly and a little random trying to use his gift with words to justify an entire book. That fear was quickly relieved. Substance upholds immaculate style, without waivering, for 200 pages. Wilson confesses early on that he writes to believers. He references scripture and theology without much explanation or hesitation, but the book may still be a delight for spiritually-minded non-Christians who enjoy good art. My only regret is that he does not make a stronger, clearer case for salvation in Jesus in the one chapter that does address eternity. Admittedly, that's not his aim with the book, but part of me wonders if it isn't a missed opportunity. (The other part of me wonders if his gentle, almost vague approach isn't exactly what some people need to hear, so I hand Holy Spirit His job description back.) I started this book on Monday evening and finished it Wednesday. And I think I might just start at the beginning again. It's encouraging, amusing, and heart-warming. Notes makes me want to live louder, love deeper, and laugh harder - to throw back my head and let go of the safety bar because we all know it's just for show anyway.

N.D. Wilson's new book is indeed a great ride. For those who are tired of theology, philosophy or apologetics in a staunchy four point presentation, this book is a good antidote. Wilson is not on his heels as he answers the skeptic. He keeps running forward into the wonder of God's world. He answers the skeptics but it is while he is running on ahead, shouting gleefully over his shoulder. "What?", they say. "Keep up," he shouts back. That is a pleasant feeling. No time to stop, got more living to do! I think non-Christians would benefit from this book as well. They might not be convinced but they'd have to admit Nate's view is a beautiful one, if only it were true. Notes won't take you long to read because you won't want to put it down. I can't read it again just yet. It was too potent. I have to recover. But I do intend to read the book again. And perhaps again. It's THAT sort of book.

Ever ride on a tilt-a-whirl? What ran through your mind? This is scary! Why am I screaming? This is fun. Should I ride it again? All of these thoughts were part of my experience while reading Nate Wilson's book "Notes From the Tilt-A-Whirl: Wide-Eyed Wonder in God's Spoken World." Comparing real life to a carnival ride the author moves quickly past surface questions to much deeper ones. Where did we begin? Where will we end? What is behind the mechanics that keep this "ride" functioning--and Who is the "Mechanic"? In a style that has the feel of mild mania, yet informally conversational, Nate addresses the topics of hate & love, life & death, heaven & hell, satan & God--just to name a few. Moving at the speed of sound from one subject to another, exploring everything from Greek mythology to ants, he provides profound insight which proves helpful to self-proclaimed unbelievers as well as those developing their faith. It is an apologetic for modern times which forces the reader to think outside the box. Had I judged this book by its cover, I would have missed an exciting ride. Strangely wonderful, it's a powerful read for inquiring minds.

In the span of one paragraph, N.D. Wilson made me break out in goosebumps then made me laugh and cry at the same time. His writing in Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl from Thomas Nelson Publishers evokes emotion like the best fiction, scratches the brain like the best philosophy, and stirs a love for Creator and creation like the best theology. His bursts of thought are not always clear-cut and linear, rather they seem to be confusing and unrelated at times. As his ideas shape the chapters, however, and the chapters form the book, a step back reveals a beautiful piece of work. And this, I think, was no accident. Wilson's premise is that the universe we live in is a work of art and the masterpiece of The Artist. It is a drama, a play, and God is the Author. And so, just as his writing style reflects, there are surprises, twists, and turns. It doesn't progress in an uneventful, gradual incline. The best dramas have real tragedies, the best paintings have both shadow and light. Thus it makes sense that the best of all possible worlds made by an Artist/Author will have real tragedies, both shadow and light. My favorite book of the year, hands down.