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  • Why are we here? What's life all about?5

    Paul Huxley N.D. Wilson and Monty Python have something in common; they recognise how unbelievably small we are, and how ridiculous it is that we can ride Earth at such speeds without falling off or even getting dizzy.

    Wilson's Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl is like a joke. Trying to explain what it is, or why it works only detracts from the wonder. Subtitled 'Wide-eyed wonder in God's Spoken World', the book is poetic, philosophical, evangelistic apologetics. Don't say I didn't warn you.

    Taking God's creation, one season at a time, Wilson points us to the obvious, describing the Tilt-a-Whirl and laughing at people who think too much of themselves (primarily himself). The Problem of Evil is tackled, alongside the Problem of Kittens, and Hamlet, Prince of Denmark even chips in a chapter on the non-existence of William Shakespeare.

    The only other books that I've read as slowly as Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl are by the puritan John Owen. With Owen it's because I have to read every sentence 3 or 4 times to work out what he's saying. But with Wilson it's because every sentence is a canapé that requires a proper tasting.

    The book combines argument with description, not just telling you why a Christian doctrine of creation makes sense, but showing you why it's beautiful. Take off the sugar-coating, and most of the arguments will be familiar (and sound) if you know your presuppositional Calvinism. If you don't, or know someone who doesn't, this could hardly be a better introduction, so long as they don't gulp down each sentence too quickly.

    The style of writing is apparently haphazard and disjointed, one could call it proverbial. But as each chapter, and the book itself draws to a close, the jigsaw fits together and you see the big picture. I'm no expert to judge the quality of writing, but to my taste, it's as good as I've ever read. Unlike my moribund text, the scenes and arguments come to life, and you start noticing things in everyday life that would previously have passed you by.

    The setting is nice, with some nice typefaces and ligatures. The only sadness for me is that it's printed on cheap paper. I'll be first in line if they do a leather-bound collector's edition.

    Wilson's written a captivating book that reminds us our miniscule size in God's universe, yet far-more-absurd significance in a finely tuned work of art, imaging the triune God.

    If you can, you must read this. by Paul Huxley

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