The Wisdom Pyramid: A Book Review

Nick Minerva • Feb 09, 2021

Are we wiser because of the massive amount of information we have available to us in seconds? Are we better off as a society with everyone seeking and living out “their own truth?” The short answer? No, we aren’t. In his new book, Brett McCracken shows us how the Information Age has actually made us mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually sick. Like a person who has consumed too much unhealthy food we have consumed far too much (and too fast) information and we are suffering for it. Add to this the fact that we typically only consume information that reinforces what we already think and believe, never allowing ourselves to be stretched or confronted by different ways of thinking, it’s no wonder our society is in the shape it is. 

In the first section of his book, Brett does a fantastic job of showing us the problems that we are facing in the Information Age. It is one of the most succinct and well-researched critiques of what we are facing as a society that I have read. (This section almost made me want to live off the grid.) But what I do appreciate about this book is he doesn’t simply say “it’s all bad, let’s head for the hills.” For believers, this is never the option. He walks us through how to navigate our current climate in a redemptive and healthy way. Because “everyone has a megaphone, and no one has a filter”, we no longer know what or who to believe. As a result, the concept of objective truth has fallen on hard times. We can seemingly find a set of “facts” that back up whatever we want to believe. He warns us of the danger of the “look within” autonomy we all feel a pull towards and shows us how God is the objective standard of truth. 

In the second section of the book, we are guided through Brett’s “wisdom pyramid.” At the foundation of the pyramid is God’s Word, the Bible. This chapter will make your heart explode with love and appreciation over the miracle that is our Bible. God, the Creator of all that is, wrote us a book! With everyone pointing to themselves as their source of wisdom (you do you) the Bible shines through as a freeing and infinitely more reliable source of wisdom than our own deceitful heart. (Jeremiah 17:9) You will cherish your Bible more after you read this book. 

Next, Brett points us to the church as a source of wisdom. While Western Culture pushes us towards individuality and the burden of being our source of wisdom, the church serves as a communal, liberating reminder that wisdom is not found within ourselves, but in God. He says “Showing up weekly and immersing yourself in a church’s ‘not-about-me’ orientation can do wonders for your spiritual sanity in an unwise age.” After the Church, we are directed towards nature as a way to feed our soul in a “post-truth” age. Comically Brett points out how the weather doesn’t abide by “alternative facts.” It’s either raining or it isn’t. It doesn’t ask us for our opinion, it just does. It reminds us that the world is much bigger and enduring than what we have made out of it. It shows us the power and glory of God. (Psalm 95:4-5) It also shows us the loving nature of God. He made this for us to enjoy. Wow. 

From nature, the book moves on to the wisdom to be found in books. I could write so much here, but this book review is almost as long as the book, so I will leave you with this. Go read. Read books. Read books you love and enjoy, read books that challenge you (ones you might even disagree with), read books. Read old books, because they have stood the test of time and are found increasingly relevant. I’m stopping now because I’ve almost written an entire paragraph after saying I wouldn’t say much. After books, Brett talks about beauty as a source to feed our souls. One of the interesting points he brings up in this chapter is the connection between beauty and silence. Beauty is meant to leave us in awe and wonder, yet often our first reaction is to Instagram it. This is something that I want to grow in. Letting the beauty of something point me back to the beauty of my Creator and Redeemer and finding myself dumbstruck and in awe. Lastly, Brett points us to Social Media and the Internet. What I appreciate about this book is Brett does not tell us to get off of it, but use it wisely and redeem what is often foolish for the glory of God. There is great potential to share the praise-worthiness of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ with more people than ever before. We have so many good, theologically rich, resources right at our fingertips. Let’s use and leverage them for the glory of God!

This book was so encouraging on so many levels. It’s a quick and easy read, but it will make you think and challenge you as well. Wisdom is calling, let’s answer. 

I received a free digital version of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

A Creed To Remind The Gathered Church Of Its New Life In Christ

By Nick Minerva • 14 Jul, 2023
When I was pastoring I wanted to read a blessing over the church that would remind all of us of our new life in Christ. So I wrote this new life creed and every week I would read it and remind us of what Christ had done for us. We gather together as believers professing our great need We acknowledge that we have fallen short We confess that we are rebels who have gone our own way Apart from Christ, we stand condemned, guilty, and unable to save ourselves But what we are incapable of doing, God did In his infinite love, God made a way of salvation for all who would believe Jesus willingly laid down his life and received the just punishment we deserve So that could walk in new life So yes, we confess our great need We humbly recognize that apart from Christ we are incapable of any good thing But we also proclaim that because of the finished work of the cross we will never be apart from Christ We are forever secure in the love of the Father We have been sealed by the Holy Spirit All because of the sacrifice of the Son, Jesus Christ. We are no longer in bondage to sin We are no longer facing righteous wrath We have been declared holy by our King And nothing on heaven or earth will change that reality This gathering is a testimony to our redeemed state We pursue holy living to be an authentic demonstration of the love we have for Christ We believe that we have been empowered by grace to meet our every need And we gladly anticipate the complete fulfillment of our adaption and the remaking of this world at the coming of our Lord To Christ be glory forever and ever Amen

A Praying Church: A Book Review

By Nick Minerva • 23 May, 2023
Prayer is one of those topics that always seems to convict me. I have never heard a sermon or read a book on prayer and not been challenged. Even as I am writing this review there is a bit of imposter syndrome because I know I should pray more. In A Praying Church , Paul Miller writes about how to become a people of hope in a discouraging world through prayer. And he does so in a way that was very authentic and accessible. While I was consistently challenged, I was also consistently encouraged. Throughout the book, he takes you on his journey of developing a personal prayer life plus countless stories of ministries that developed communal prayer as a vital component of their life together. One thing that struck home with me throughout these stories was the reality that prayer always grows out of desperation for God. There were several things that I found very helpful in this book. One of them was the connection between a life yielded to the Holy Spirit and a vibrant prayer life. The power to do anything of eternal importance comes from the Holy Spirit and the Spirit moves in response to prayer. Paul shows us a biblical pattern we see throughout the New Testament. Prayer-Spirit-Jesus-power. However, this is not a simple formula to get God to do what you want. Another thing I appreciated about this book is Paul tells us time and again that the Spirit often moves in ways we don’t expect and that almost always includes difficulties. The Spirit enables us to look more like Jesus and that means joining him in the fellowship of his suffering. So this is not a “how to turn God into your personal genie” scheme, like many books on prayer. God often answers in ways we don’t expect and in places we don’t anticipate. This book is also full of practical help. I’ve already mentioned the stories he tells, but Paul also offers several helpful charts, strategies, and ideas to help put into place what he writes about (and lives by.) At the end of each chapter, he has a section called “A Word To Pastors” with a few paragraphs of wisdom to help them become a person of prayer and then lead their congregation to become a church of prayer. This book also made me thankful that I am a part of a church that has sought to grow in corporate prayer over the last few years. This would be a great book for any ministry leader who is burdened with the prayer life of his or her church. But it’s also a great read for any believer seeking to develop their own prayer life. Crossway was kind to send me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. You can get a copy of it at the affiliate link below.

Non-Toxic Masculinity: A Book Review

By Nick Minerva • 28 Apr, 2023
Let me start this review by saying everyone should read this book. If you've grown up in Evangelicalism, you‘ve no doubt heard of purity culture. For the last several years we have seen the harm that has come as a result of this sub-group of Christianity. In Non-Toxic Masculinity, Zachary Wagner does an excellent job unpacking its teaching and the damage that has come as a result. He explains so well the angst I've been feeling with the movement and how often the Church falls short and winds up doing more damage. But unlike many critiques, this one also points a way forward. We know what toxic male sexuality looks like. We see it in the news and unfortunately, in the Church. But what does healthy male sexuality look like? What does it look like for me? What will it look like for my boys? In my heart, I know what I want it to look like, but so often I struggle to find the right words to express it. Non-Toxic Masculinity paints a healthy picture that is (re)humanizing and ultimately looks like Jesus, who, like all of us, had a sexual body. Zach is also very transparent in this book and God used his transparency to encourage, challenge, and convict me. As you read his story you will no doubt find yourself resonating with him on some level. Every man should read this book for themselves first and foremost. But if you have sons, nephews, grandsons, or young boys in your life, reading it is a must. Non-Toxic Masculinity is a breath of fresh air that will prove to be a tremendous resource for generations. Thank you Zach for writing it and sharing your story to serve us.
More Posts
Share by: