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Areté means excellence in character and life. It is the move from the community of God to a life of virtue—to a life well-‐lived. In this meditation on vice and virtue, Dr. Wilson shares compelling and honest stories from his life in ministry—from the traumatic to the hilarious to the inspiring—that guide us to areté. Aided by the theologians, the philosophers and the artists of our past and present, Wilson weaves a narrative that strikes a balance between social justice and steadfast faith. His candid observations and insightful commentary will make you think differently about the Trinity, about salvation, about life, and about grace.

Interested in owning a copy? Click the BUY NOW button in the column to the right.

2012 speaking tour

Feb 4, 5, 6 Faith Church Grayslake, IL

May 10 Fuller Northwest, Master's Lunch Seattle, WA

July 7 Union Gospel MIssion, Men's Breakfast Seattle, WA

Recent media coverage includes: (click links for articles)

Listen to what others are saying about this book:

"This book reminds us to turn to Christ where true transformation can occur. It shows us the strength of God's grace and that 'all things are possible through Him.' "

~DAN WILSON, brother and former catcher for the Seattle Mariners

“Areté Again mercifully digs into what may well be Christianity’s most helpful insight - God as social trinity - and gives us handles for beginning to understand the fractured-ness that beleaguers human civilizations while providing some good hope for a way forward.”

~STEVE BELL, Canadian singer, songwriter and recipient of multiple JUNO awards

“Areté Again is not a "how -to" book. It's not a manual, so if that is what you want, this is not the book for you. If you are looking for something that might ignite your imagination about what God could be doing in the midst of your life and journey as a follower of Jesus, then Areté Again is a perfect invitation to that conversation. Tobin weaves a dialogue between contemporary and ancient - finding a theology that connects the two in a way that oddly makes "perfectly imperfect" sense. You have to read it to know what I mean, but if you've been sort of hungry for a book that gets you thinking, that can challenge and shake you, that can embrace the messiness of life, can tell you the truth about yourself in a way that’s actually freeing and not shaming, this book will speak to you in a way that will make you want to laugh, cry, love, pray and do something.”

~ LINA THOMPSON, Training Associate for Center for Transforming Mission (www.ctmnet.org) and National Director of Training and Community Development for World Vision, US Programs

“I love this book. I was swept up in your story on the front end. Thrilled and a little amazed at the intimacy and respect you had for your readers, surprised and a little concerned at the immediate vulnerability of your writing. Was this going to be too much about Tobin? I wondered. But I didn't need to be concerned. You brought the camera lens back and allowed for a thoughtful and wide ranging discussion on post-modernism, sin and the struggle to be human along with a healthy critique of American consumerism, and Western power paradigms. It was thrilling.

It has lots of fun parables and story take-aways. Speakers will love this one! But mainly I was struck by one man's attempt to live humanly. And the shadow that quest can cast for the rest of us.”

~ LAURA TRUAX, Pastor, LaSalle Street Church, Chicago, Illinois

“This book is real because Tobin Wilson is real. He is and has been a catalytic person in my life, in my understanding of God and my role in helping the poor and overlooked. Read every word of this book and more importantly, try to live its principles. These words have changed me and I believe they will change you too.”

~ DEAN CURRY, Pastor, Life Center, Tacoma, Washington

"I have always been impressed at the depth from which Tobin leads as a pastor. Reading this book has helped me better understand why. A deep thank you to Tobin for reminding us all that the wellspring of grace that he has been so deeply nourished by, is available to us all."

~ SCOTT LUMSDEN, Executive Presbyter, Seattle Presbytery

I hope that you enjoy my book. If you choose to read it; I would love to hear what you learned, where you were challenged, places that may have missed the mark and instances where you wanted more. Enjoy the semantic spaces.....