Overview

For much of Christian history, pastors not only served as theologians and preachers, but also as poets and hymn writers. They ministered through their preaching and their poetry, their sermons and their songs--laboring to see God's truth planted not only in people's minds, but helping it find its way into their hearts and even onto their lips. They viewed such labors as an artistic and devotional tool of catechesis, one that has largely gone missing over the last few generations. But in this new collection of hymns and poems, Justin Wainscott recaptures that rich legacy of pastor-poets, providing God's people with theology that stirs and sings. Whether his poetry pertains to matters of common grace or saving grace, the mundane or the majestic, he gives readers an opportunity to lose themselves in wonder, love, and praise. And a book like this one couldn't come at a better time. In this age of distracted reading marked mainly by skimming and scanning, our souls need the kind of slow, deep reading that poetry rewards.

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9781532679728

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Justin Wainscott is a rarity--a faithful biblical expositor with superb pastoral gifts who is also a skilled poet and an excellent hymn writer. Here we have some of his best work offered to the church and meant to bless the Lord's people everywhere. A book of spiritual reading for morning and evening in every season of life. --Timothy George, Founding Dean of Beeson Divinity School of Samford University and General Editor of the Reformation Commentary on Scripture Majestic and meaningful, edifying and enabling, creative and contemplative, the beautiful hymns and poems found in Lost in Wonder, Love, and Praise will provide a wonderful resource for followers of Jesus Christ. The hymns and poems connect with key days on the calendar of the church and with the many events and challenges that characterize life. Readers will be encouraged and strengthened in their spiritual journeys as well as in their worship of the one true and living God. Seekers will find a source to guide them to the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. The hymns and poems are both artistically inviting and theologically sound, bringing glory to the Trinitarian God. The book is a marvelous worship resource that will without doubt serve as a source of strength, devotion, and enablement for those who take time to reflect on these creative pieces. It is both a joy and a privilege to recommend this work from Justin Wainscott. --David S. Dockery, President, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School Justin Wainscott has provided the hymns and poetry our souls can sing as we consider the greatness of our God and are Lost in Wonder, Love, and Praise. Writing of spiritual and mundane experiences viewed through the lenses of wonder and love, Wainscott leads us to praise our Triune God from whom all blessings flow with theology that sings. If you want to be ushered in to the sacred place--both corporately and individually--open your heart to this great theo-musicological work. --Robert Smith Jr., Charles T. Carter Baptist Chair of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School In days gone by, pastors were quite commonly poets and the authors of many of our great hymns. The loss of poetry among our pastors has been detrimental in many ways. Justin Wainscott, in this wonderful collection of original poems, demonstrates a return to these old paths. Pastors, notice how the careful and beautiful use of words can help you reach the heart. Believers, in general, experience how slowly contemplating these poetic meditations can nurture your soul, lead you in praise, give words for your laments, and generally tune your heart to God. This has been my experience as I have read these poems, and as we have sung many of them in church. I heartily commend this volume to you, confident it will be a blessing. --Ray Van Neste, Dean of the School of Theology and Missions, Union University I love that Justin Wainscott is following in the footsteps of Charles Wesley and John Newton as a hymn-writing pastor. His hymns and poems flow out of the wrestling done in a pastor's study to communicate God's Word to his people. These cross-focused hymns are both sound and singable, and will bless many individuals and congregations. --Betsy Howard, author of Seasons of Waiting and editor at The Gospel Coalition Theology is art as much as it is science. This is especially true when the glory of our Triune God in his works of creation and redemption are celebrated through the medium of poetry. My friend and former pastor Justin Wainscott is a contemporary pastor-poet-theologian whom God has gifted to set sacred truths to moving verse. In doing so, Justin takes upon himself the mantle of Wesley and Dutton, of Rossetti and Donne, of Hopkins and Bradstreet. Whether his hymns and poems endure for centuries like the works of these great artist-theologians is a matter left to God's providence. But for such a time as this, his poems and hymns are a gift to the church. Take up and read. --Nathan A. Finn, Provost and Dean of the University Faculty, North Greenville University, Tigerville, SC The theological world tends to be very prosaic, so it is refreshing to read the poetry of a faithful Christian hymnist whose craft is informed by biblical truth rather than maudlin sentimentality. I know from personal experience that Justin Wainscott weaves the great hymns of the faith into his preaching each week. And I know that if you prick him, he will bleed the language of those hymns. Having had the privilege of singing some of my pastor's hymns in worship, it's a special delight to have this collection for devotional reading and singing. I also commend them to the churches for public worship. --C. Ben Mitchell, Graves Professor of Moral Philosophy, Union University Moses taught the delivered children of Israel a song. David entrusted Asaph with a psalm of thanksgiving to the Lord. Ambrose shared his hymns. Luther followed 'the example of the prophets and ancient fathers of the church, ' writing songs and urging others to do the same. Likewise, Calvin, Watts, Newton, and Spurgeon all contributed to the deep stream of poetry that continues to edify the church and proclaim the gospel. Today, as much as before, we need great pastors and theologians, leaders of God's people, to capture our language and bring it into the service of our King. More than ditties that elevate our pulse, we need biblical truths artistically expressed that quicken our minds, prick our hearts, and order our loves. I am deeply grateful for Justin Wainscott, a dedicated lover of God's Word and God's People, for heeding this call, penning these words, and courageously offering them for our benefit. May he write more and may his writing spur others to do the same. --Christopher Mathews, Dean of the College of Fine Arts, Oklahoma Baptist University In a world filled with the immediacy of information and entertainment, we often overlook the opportunity for quiet moments of reflection, meditation, and prayer. Wainscott's hymns stand in a rich theological tradition of pastor hymn-writing and cause us to slow down, marveling at the gift of creation, Christ, and his redemption. Through lyric and poetry, Wainscott recaptures a sense of wonder at nature, relationships, grace, and ultimately, union with the Divine encountered through worship. --Autumn Alcott Ridenour, Assistant Professor, Religious and Theological Studies, Merrimack College For much of Christian history, pastors and preachers were instrumental in expressing and shaping Christian faith by composing hymns and poetry. From Watts to Wesley, Luther to Lowry, pastors penned their reflections on biblical truth and their personal expressions of authentic Christian faith. Pastor Justin Wainscott's Lost in Wonder, Love, and Praise is a refreshing return to this rich heritage. His compilation brings together years of his own hymns, poetry, and theological musings. They are rich yet readable--instructional and devotional. Above all, they are biblical, Christ-centered, and saturated with the gospel. For several years, I have been blessed and encouraged by reading the hymns and poetry of Justin Wainscott. I am so pleased that these words are now available in a single collection so others may be refreshed as well. I highly recommend this resource to pastors, worship leaders, and laypersons alike. --Scott Shepherd, Music and Worship Specialist, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board

Author Information

Justin Wainscott is senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Jackson, Tennessee. He holds degrees from Union University, Beeson Divinity School, and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Anna, have three children.

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