Filling up the Afflictions of Christ by John Piper - Book Review

 Filling up the Afflictions of Christ is book number five in the series of books by John Piper called, The Swans are not Silent. I think, but I'm not sure, that each of these books... and even each of the three short biographies in each book... sprang from a conference message or a church message that John Piper originally delivered. I believe most of these have sermons that you can find online at DesiringGod.Org. 

In this book we can read about William Tyndale, Adoniram Judson, and John Paton. The unifying thread with these three men is, as the book subtitle states: "The Cost of Bringing the Gospel to the Nations..." in each of their lives. 

The title of this book comes from Colossians 1:24 -- 

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.

Piper goes on to explain this passage by saying, 

"What is lacking in the afflictions of Christ is not that they are deficient in worth, as though they could not sufficiently cover the sins of all who believe. What is lacking is that the infinite value of Christ's afflictions is not known and trusted in the world. These afflictions and what they mean are still hidden to most peoples. And God's intention is that the mystery be revealed to all the nations. So the afflictions of Christ are 'lacking' in the sense that they are not seen and known and loved among the nations. They must be carried by the missionaries. And those missionaries 'complete' what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ by extending them to others."

All three of these short biographies are impactful in their own right, but I found the elements of Adoniram Judson's life to be the weightiest in my own heart and mind. The enduring hardships, the regular encounters with death, and the deep distresses of dark emotions all left me with a lasting respect for what was accomplished through God's sovereign grace in his life and an odd desire to follow, in what ways I could, in his footsteps. 

The reading of Christian biographies and autobiographies is important for many reasons; including reminding us of our rich heritage, prompting us toward deeper and more lasting affections, and inspiring us to keep our eyes on things that are eternal and lasting. The benefit of this series of books is found in the brevity of the stories, the emphasis on their lasting impact, and the unpacking of how Biblical doctrine that is both wide and deep will serve as the spiritual food and strength for Spirit-filled people. 

Contending for Our All by John Piper: Book Review

It is a snow day today... And I just completed a book!

The book is Contending for Our All, by John Piper. This is the 4th book in his series: The Swans are not Silent. 

This is the first book I have read in this series. In this book, John Piper writes about three men who contended for the Faith: Athanasius, John Owen, and J. Gresham Machen. He isn't attempting to give a complete biography of any of these individuals, but instead is seeking to highlight one aspect of their lives. In the case of these three: it is the controversies that surrounded them, and the heart for the beauty of God in the face of Jesus Christ that supported and motivated each of these men through these controversies. 

With each one of the biographical summaries that Piper shares, I found myself to not only be intrigued by these men... wanting to read more of each of their lives and to read more of their writing, but also spurred on toward a more persistent delving into the mysteries of God myself. 

I would encourage you to read this book, especially if you know nothing about the lives of these three men. This book will give you a taste of our rich historical lineage in the truths of Genuine Christianity. 

 

saturated

Five Points by John Piper (Book Review)

I just finished reading Five Points: Toward a Deeper Experience of God's Grace by John Piper.  

This was a great little book. I highly recommend it for those who are interested in the "Five Points of Calvinism" but aren't sure where to start. This book lays out those five points in a way that is understandable.  Piper also uses a good logical flow to his presentation, not to shove these five points down anyone's throat, but ultimately because it is what he believes brings the greatest display to the glories of God's immeasurable grace. 

And that is what this is really about. Most that I've met that know a little bit about Calvinism, assume that a Calvinist is an arrogant know-it-all... and granted, there are some who have given us that reputation. But I can truly say, in my experience that the Calvinists that I've met and read have been the most humble of Bible Scholars, with each of them, in my opinion, approaching to the truths of God's Word, not with a desire to explain everything, but just to understand what has been written. I've seen them present scriptures with the greatest efforts to simply say what the scriptures say. This book is no different. 

I recommend this book, without hesitation, and encourage you to grab a copy from Amazon... or you can get a free digital copy from the Desiring God website. 

Money, Sex, and Power by John Piper - Book Review

This is a review for Christian Audio's version of Living in the Light: Money, Sex, and Power by John Piper. 

Money, Sex, and Power is John Piper's newest book release. I just finished listening to Christian Audio's version of this book as read by Rick Souer. In this book John Piper asserts that Money, Sex, and Power have been given to us, as good gifts from God, for our enjoyment but also for His Glory. He also asserts that these three gifts are highly volatile and dangerous to our lives and our souls. In as much as they can bring God great glory, when ordered and orchestrated according to God's plan, they can also bring great ruin when they swing toward the center of our desires.

Pastor John begins this book by defining the terms: money, sex, and power. He then goes on to describe the specific dangers that each of these good gifts can pose in our lives and what the destruction might look like, to varying degrees, as each person might succumb to worshiping any one of these and thereby honoring the created over the creator. Throughout the book, and especially near the end, he sets up the illustration of a solar system, with each of these: money, sex, and power, as planets with Jesus Christ as our Sun. I love how he paints this illustration with an almost poetic beauty. How our solar system sings with beauty when the sun is at the center with it's gravitational pull aligning all of the erratic orbits of these other things in our lives.

As usual, this book is saturated with Scripture. I am convinced that if you were to wring one of John Piper's books in your hands, Scriptures would pour out: drenching your hands and pooling themselves at your feet. I love this about his books.

I want to highly recommend this book. I am giving it five stars on Amazon. It was full of wisdom, insight, and practical knowledge. It presents a thoroughly Biblical view of money, sex, and power. So, if you don't always have time to sit down and read, then I want to recommend this as a good audio book to purchase or borrow. I know on Amazon (through the link attached to the image above) you can listen to this version through Audible for free with a three month trial.

When I Don't Desire God by John Piper - Book Review

Here is my review of When I Don't Desire God: How to Fight for Joy by John Piper and read by David Cochran Heath.

I have made no secret of the fact that the last few months of my life I have battled a certain melancholy spirit like I never have before. This hasn't been the most trial-fraught time of my life by any means, but this dark cloud has followed me at all times and has shadowed all I have done. I have clung to Jesus, but sometimes it has felt like: just barely. So, it was a very providential moment when I rediscovered that I already had the audio version of this book, and it was just waiting to be listened to.

As many people know, John Piper's flagship book is Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist. That is a fabulous book, but I have found that, like many others, I don't need convincing that I should desire God as the greatest good. Instead, I find in myself that as much as I know this is true, I don't always feel it. Is there something wrong with me? Am I doing something wrong that I wouldn't spontaneously burst into overflowing admiration for the Creator of the Universe? Why is it that as I seek to pursue obedience to the God who, in love, has redeemed me through great sacrifice, that I am not filled with joy in my pursuit? In other words, "What do I do when I don't desire God?" The answer to that question is found in this book: Fight for Joy.

As with all of John Piper's books, this book is filled with Scripture. It is not only Biblically based, it is Biblically guided and thoroughly Biblical in its final assessment. It is laid out in clear terms how one is to Fight for Joy... a Joy that is truly a gift from God, not something that is earned. This is an encouraging book, filled not only with Biblical examples of those who needed to fight for joy, but also with a plethora of historical examples. So many of these examples were of saints that I had placed on a higher spiritual plateau, but after hearing of their struggles I find a welling up of hope in my heart.

This version was read by David Cochran Heath and produced by Christian Audio. If you aren't much of a reader, I would encourage you to check out an audio book sometime. This one would be a great one to start with!

"Why have I found favor in your sight?"

We are studying Ruth in our adult Sunday School Class at Church. I am using A Sweet and Bitter Providence by John Piper as a guide. As he writes about Ruth 2:10-13, he says the following (which is worth sharing and pondering):

[Ruth] is different from most people today. We have a sense of entitlement. We expect kindness and are astonished and resentful if we don't get our "rights." But Ruth expresses her sense of unworthiness by falling on her face and bowing to the ground. Proud people don't feel amazed at being treated well. They don't feel deep gratefulness. But humble people do. In fact, they are made even more humble by being treated graciously. They are so amazed that grace came to them in their unworthiness that they feel even more lowly. But they receive the gift. Joy increases, not self-importance. Grace is not intended to replace lowliness with pride. It's intended to replace sorrow with joy.

John Piper, A Sweet and Bitter Providence: Sex, Race, and the Sovereignty of God

Shadows of Christ Greeting Card

Front: "All Heroes are shadows of Christ." ~John Piper

Inside: "Keep at it."

Charles Spurgeon: Preaching Through Adversity by John Piper - Book Review

I really enjoyed reading Piper's book, Charles Spurgeon: Preaching through Adversity . I found this book at just the right time. I am nowhere near facing the adversity that Charles Spurgeon faced (as I found out in this book), but I definitely found that the perspectives on how to preach through adversity were extremely helpful.... and now, here is my review of this book:


Charles Spurgeon: Preaching through Adversity was a fairly short book. I was able to read this book in just a few sittings. It was really well written, and as it is with most of John Piper's books, the shortness of the book didn't equate to a lack of any kind.

I was initially intrigued by this book because of the title. I hadn't realized that Charles Spurgeon faced such adversity. It probably shouldn't have surprised me. I have always admired the sermons of Spurgeon's, that I have had the opportunity to read, but I really didn't know much about his personal life. This book really filled in the realities of his hardships.

Piper does a wonderful job of using relevant quotes and other examples to pull together the reality of Spurgeon's trials, but more importantly, to answer the question, "How did he continue to preach through this adversity?" As I read through this book I felt that I was really entering into Spurgeon's life.

As a Pastor myself, I found great comfort in this book. It kept pointing me back to great realities and infinite truths that, when believed, bring great comfort and encouragement. Most specifically the truths of God's Sovereignty and the doctrines of God's Great Unmerited Grace!

As the book drew to a close, I found myself... not simply admiring Charles Spurgeon... but glorying in my real hero: Jesus. This is precisely what John Piper desires to accomplish, and I can't help but think that Spurgeon would be pleased with this book as well, because the hero of Charles H. Spurgeon's story isn't Charles H. Spurgeon but Christ.

Striking a Deep, Resonating Chord

I just started reading Charles Spurgeon: Preaching through Adversity by John Piper. I am going to share on this blog a portion of the introduction to this book because it struck such a deep, resonating chord with me.

If you know me in real life, you know that I have been really showing the wear and tear of trying to be a full-time pastor, a full-time teacher, a husband, a father... and everything else... a home-owner, a mechanic, a handy-man, after-school program, etc. etc. etc. I have been busy before, but I have never felt quite like I currently do.

So, when I read this introduction, I felt like I was taking a peek into my own soul. Therefore, I share this introduction to give you a peek...

Joy in Marriage

I love my wife. I love being married to her. I love her as a person. I love spending time with her. I usually wouldn't care if I was with anyone at all, but if I have a chance to spend time with her, I always take it if I can. I am not going to lie to you.... this isn't a chore in any way shape or form... she brings me great joy.

Does this make me selfish? Am I only loving her because of the joy she brings me? On the contrary, doesn't it bring her greater honor and a greater sense of love if I enjoy my love?

Consider these words of John Piper:

The first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was, to have my soul happy in the Lord.

I have been reading the book Desiring God, by John Piper. This morning I came across a lengthy quote of George Mueller's that I feel compelled to share with you:

While I was staying at Nailsworth, it pleased the Lord to teach me a truth, irrespective of human instrumentality, as far as I know, the benefit of which I have not lost, though now... more than forty years have passed away.

The Calvinist by John Piper

The Calvinist by John Piper

See him on his knees,
Hear his constant pleas:
Heart of ev’ry aim:
“Hallowed be Your name.”
See him in the Word,
Helpless, cool, unstirred,
Heaping on the pyre
Heed until the fire.
See him with his books:
Tree beside the brooks,
Drinking at the root
Till the branch bear fruit.
See him with his pen:
Written line, and then,
Better thought preferred,
Deep from in the Word.
See him in the square,
Kept from subtle snare:
Unrelenting sleuth
On the scent of truth.
See him on the street,
Seeking to entreat,
Meek and treasuring:
“Do you know my King?”
See him in dispute,
Firm and resolute,
Driven by the fame
Of his Father’s name.
See him at his trade.
Done. The plan is made.
Men will have his skills,
If the Father wills.
See him at his meal,
Praying now to feel
Thanks and, be it graced,
God in ev’ry taste.
See him with his child:
Has he ever smiled
Such a smile before,
Playing on the floor?
See him with his wife,
Parable for life:
In this sacred scene
She is heaven’s queen.
See him stray. He groans.
“One is true,” he owns.
“What is left to me?
Fallibility.”
See him in lament
“Should I now repent?”
“Yes. And then proclaim:
All is for my fame.”
See him worshipping.
Watch the sinner sing,
Spared the burning flood
Only by the blood.
See him on the shore:
“Whence this ocean store?”
“From your God above,
Thimbleful of love.”
See him now asleep.
Watch the helpless reap
But no credit take,
Just as when awake.
See him nearing death.
Listen to his breath,
Through the ebbing pain:
Final whisper: “Gain!”

Here is this poem being read by many of my favorite authors and speakers...



The Calvinist from Desiring God on Vimeo.

C.S. Lewis on Praise

I have probably quoted this before, but bear with me as I find the need to quote it again ... I am typing this (not copying and pasting) from the book Desiring God by John Piper. (I type it because it helps me to consider each word in the phrase.) This particular Lewis quote comes from that book, though he is not the only one who has revisited this quote. Lewis' insight on Praise in this quote has, I am sure, helped many in their understanding of the strong connection between God's love for His people and His command that they praise Him.

... the most obvious fact about praise -- whether of God or any thing -- strangely escaped me. I thought of it in terms of compliment, approval, or the giving of honor. I had never noticed that all enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise unless (sometimes even if) shyness of the fear of boring others is deliberately brought in to check on it. The world rings with praise -- lovers praising their mistresses, readers their favorite poet, walkers praising the countryside, players praising their favorite game -- praise of weather, wines, dishes, actors, motors, horses, colleges, countries, historical personages, children, flowers, mountains, rare stamps, rare beetles, even sometimes politicians or scholars. I had not noticed how the humblest, and at the same time most balanced and capacious, minds praised most, while the cranks, misfits and malcontents praised least ...  

I had not noticed either that just as men spontaneously praise whatever they value, so they spontaneously urge us to join them in praising it: "Isn't she lovely? Wasn't it glorious? Don't you think that magnificent?" The Psalmists in telling everyone to praise God are doing what all men do when they speak of what they care about. My whole, more general, difficulty about the praise of God depended on my absurdly denying to us, as regards the supremely Valuable, what we delight to do, what in deed we can't help doing, about everything else we value.  

I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation. It is not out of compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are; the delight is incomplete till it is expressed. 

Like I said, this is C.S. Lewis speaking. It comes from his book Reflections on the Psalms. The portion that I quoted came from the book Desiring God. You can also read an article on this by Sam Storms on the Desiring God website, by clicking here: Praise: The Consummation of Joy.

Free Advent Devotional

In a recent post on the Desiring God website, the new Advent Devotional by John Piper has been made available. The book can be purchased through Amazon as a paperback or a Kindle e-book, but Desiring God has made the pdf available as a download for free. 

Here is the description of this book (and Advent) from the Desiring God website:

Advent is for adoring Jesus. 

The Christmas season is one of the busiest times of the year. But it is also a season of reflection and preparation for that special day when we mark Immanuel’s coming—the arrival of our eternal God in our own frail humanity. 

This is the greatest of history’s many wonders, something too stupendous to celebrate just on one day. Advent is a way of lengthening and intensifying the joy of Christmas. 

These 25 brief devotional readings from John Piper begin on December 1 and carry us to Christmas Day. Our hope is that God would use these meditations to deepen and sweeten your adoration of Jesus and help you keep him at the center of your Christmas season.

Head on over to the Desiring God website and download this devotional today. Read it with me through the holiday season.

The Pastor's Kid by Barnabas Piper - Book Review

I was immediately interested in a review copy of this book from Christian Audio for two reasons.

One, a book called The Pastor's Kid: Finding Your Own Faith and Identity was written by a Pastor's Kid, but not by just any Pastor's Kid... It was the Pastor's Kid of all Pastor's Kids... Barnabas Piper (Son of John Piper). That is interesting.

There is a bit of sarcasm there, obviously. Barnabas Piper isn't really the Pastor's Kid of all Pastor's Kids. Especially since John Piper has other kids! And yet... there is still something in the name. A book written by any of John Piper's children would be of some interest to me, and surely he knows that as well.

Second, and this reason is a bit more important to my heart, I have two Pastor's Kids living in my house. They are my two sons, and I have an ongoing concern for them. As far as I can tell, my boys are doing great. I love them to death, they are not perfect, but I am exceptionally proud of both of them. They both display talents and skills that remind me of myself, but also far exceed myself. They seem to be doing well, and for the most part, happy with life and aware of those spiritual realities that pertain to them. But I am not so naive to believe that my being a Pastor, and especially a bi-vocational Pastor, doesn't have an affect on their lives... and I'm sure it isn't all positive.

So, my interest was piqued, now it was time to listen:

I found this book to be very convicting. Barnabas Piper writes with an openness and honesty that had a tendency to cut deep. It was eye-opening. I became aware of many things that my boys encounter, that I hadn't put much thought into the affect on their lives. It was honest. He was transparent about his home life with its positives and negatives. It was interesting to hear him say that he didn't really care about John Piper's sermons... they aren't that important to him... but then he said that he would much rather sit down with his dad and have a conversation. In other words, he isn't really concerned about Pastor John Piper, but he loves John Piper his dad. Interesting, isn't it?

This book was also Biblical. I will admit, not as Biblical as John Piper's books, but this book was personal and experiential in nature, which changes things. But it was still Biblical. Through the course of this book, as challenges were shared, he continually pointed back to the Grace of God found in Christ.

This book was also filled with quotes from several other PK's from around the country. Their insights were very valuable to me, and it has given me something to consider about my own children's lives.

Barnabas Piper did the audio of this book as well. I love when a book is read by its author. There is something extra that comes through when the author takes the time to read through their own work. There are bits that might not have seemed important, that because of the way the author reads those lines, you know there was something meaningful there.

I would recommend this book, not just to Pastors or their Kids, but to anyone in a church. What a PK faces is somewhat unique. Everyone in the church should keep this in mind and remember that PK's are sinners too, just like you. And PK's need the grace of God, just like you.

Spectacular Sins by John Piper - Book Review

The thing I love most about John Piper books is that they are some of the most scripture-saturated books I have ever encountered. Spectacular Sins: And Their Global Purpose in the Glory of Christ is no exception to my encounters with his literature.

I started this book quite a while ago, you can read some of my first thoughts on this book by clicking here.

Even though I started this book quite a while ago, I didn't finish it right away. I was working on several other books at the time, so this one got shuffled to the back burner. Last week I remembered it and started from the beginning again: This time I devoured the book in just a few sittings.

Who sent Joseph into slavery? Who was behind that? Who planned the murder of Jesus? Why was Adam allowed to fall into sin?  What about Satan? There are little answers for these questions. There are answers that are rooted in our own thoughts and are drawn from the shallow well of consensus public opinion, but there are other answers for these and similar questions. There are answers that are pulled from the deeps of the mind of God that can be found in his book, the Bible. Sometimes these answers match the pitiable, fickle answers of the public mind, but the answers that come from the Word of God are steadfast and accurate representations of the truth... which is hopefully what we are really after.

I am not going to attempt to answer these questions in a book review, that is what the actual book is for, but I will say that John Piper does an amazing job of analyzing the Scripture's answers to these questions and putting them into an easy to read and intriguing format.

These questions and their answers are important, not just for some theological bit of knowledge, but for facing the spectacular sins that will affect your own life. They will come, and you need a view of God that accurately accounts for these sins and gives you a basic understanding of His purposes for you in the midst of these sins.

Does God Desire All To Be Saved? - Book Review

I finished listening to the ChristianAudio version of John Piper's book Does God Desire All To Be Saved? a few weeks ago, but didn't have a chance to write the review until today.

The question, "Does God desire all to be saved?" is a challenging question and a challenging answer (no matter what your answer) and it made for a challenging book to read.  The question is challenging no matter how you answer it, because whichever way you go there are implications. A simple, "Yes." doesn't even really answer the question.

Some believe that all will be saved... eventually. I don't believe that. I can't. The Bible just doesn't leave room for that interpretation. But nevertheless, some can answer yest to this question, believing that all will eventually be saved.

Others might answer yes, knowing full well that all are not saved, but are doomed to eternal punishment. This leaves a new challenge. Does God have unmet desires? Is God unsuccessful in His attempts? Where does this leave us?

An answer of, "No." brings on a whole new set of challenges to deal with.

In this book John Piper, as he always does, digs deep into scripture. That is my favorite thing about Piper books. I know that I am not going to simply get his opinion, but an expounding of scriptures that are specifically related to the question at hand. You can tell from his books that he genuinely wants to know what the Bible says.

The voice talent on this book does an excellent job of bringing to life the words of this book. I enjoy an audio book much more if I can almost feel as if I am simply listening to a person talking to me. The way the book is written and the way it is read pulled me into this discussion. When I finished listening to it, I almost went back to the beginning to listen again. Piper doesn't dwell too long on any one thought, unless it is absolutely necessary. This left me feeling like I needed to pause and think occasionally or simply go back to the beginning.

If you have a desire to get away from a simplistic answer to this question and dig deep into the scriptures to see how God's Word answers this question, then you really need to get this book. I must warn you though, it is not for the person who doesn't want to think and consider and ponder big thoughts of God.

Free Advent Ebook

http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/good-news-of-great-joy-daily-readings-for-advent

Desiring God is offering their Advent Ebook for free again this year.  The title of the book is Good News of Great Joy.  According to the Desiring God website:

A year ago, the team here at Desiring God did a deep dive into our thirty-plus-year reservoir of sermons and articles, and selected brief devotional readings for each day of Advent. Now we’ve slightly revised the ebook to have it optimized for 2013. Our hope is that God would use these readings to deepen and sweeten your adoration of Jesus this Advent.

It goes on to say:

Many contacted last year to ask for permission to print these devotionals not only for private use, but to share with friends and family — even their whole local congregation. We love that impulse to spread the joy, and gladly encourage you do so. Also, to serve as many as we can, we’ve worked with Amazon to make available a quality paperback version at low cost, in case that’s your preferred format.

You can go to Amazon right now for the discounted ebook version:
Good News of Great Joy: Daily Readings for Advent

Or you can go to the desiring God website for the Kindle Version, the ePub version or the pdf.
Good News of Great Joy

I have also made a pdf of their pdf to make it easier to print as a booklet.
Booklet Form

Since permission has been given to print this, I think that I am going to print some of these up for my church and try to get everyone to read it together.

Spirit and Truth

"Worshipping in spirit is the opposite of worshipping in merely external ways. It is the opposite of empty formalism and traditionalism. Worshipping in truth is the opposite of worship based on an inadequate view of God. Worship must have hear and head. Worship must engage emotions and thought." 

"Truth without emotion produces dead orthodoxy and a church full (or half-full) of artificial admirers (like people who write generic anniversary cards for a living). On the other hand, emotion without truth produces empty frenzy and cultivates shallow people who refuse the discipline of rigorous thought. But true worship comes from people who are deeply emotional and who love deep and sound doctrine. Strong affections for God rooted in truth are the bone and marrow of biblical worship."

~ John Piper, Desiring God