- ISBN13: 9781581347456
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- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product DescriptionIn his essay The End for Which God Created the World, the enthusiastic theologiser Jonathan theologist declared that God’s eventual modify is the dissent of his laurels in the maximal healthiness of his creatures. Pastor Evangelist Piper has devoted his eld of ministry to exploring the implications of this stunning actuality for chronicle and ministry. Understanding that God is most glorified in us when we are most mitigated in him has prefabricated every the disagreement for Evangelist Piper—and can. . . solon >>
God’s suffering for His Glory: Living the Vision of Jonathan theologist
Another excellent, thought provoking book from John Piper. His first four chapters were actually quite helpful to me when reading Edward’s work, as I could see the points that Piper belives are there, review Edwards’ biography, and see Piper’s experience with him and what meaning is there. Be warned: this is not a book for the faint of mind. Section 1 of Edward’s work is difficult to get through, mostly because we don’t think that way anymore. This is a book which I will need to read multiple times to fully grasp – but offers a very compelling vision of what Christianity could be.
Rating: 5 / 5
Comment by Toirdhealbheach Beucail — May 8, 2010 @ 6:10 pm
The book is in two parts. The second part of the book is an essay by Jonathan Edwards called, “The End for which God created the World. ” Edwards lived in the 18th century and was a careful and brilliant thinker. Needless to say, the essay is very tough read. I tried reading it slowly and carefully, but I gave up and decided to read it in normal mode. I plan to go back in a year and try it again. The essay needs to be digested slowly with multiple readings. Piper has added many footnotes to help guide the reader through the more difficult passages.
The first part is Piper getting you prepared emotionally and physically for the intellectual climb. He does an excellent job of encouraging the reader to make the climb for the view is great from the top.
The book is worth reading even if you don’t understand it. It helps bring into focus all of Piper’s writings.
Rating: 5 / 5
Comment by Jeffrey A. Thompson — May 8, 2010 @ 6:59 pm
The End for Which God Created the World, (and by extension God’s Passion for His Glory) is about exactly what the title implies, viz. , the reason God created the world (or universe, if you prefer). It answers the question, “Why are we here?”. Edwards’ answer—and I believe, the Bible’s answer, since that is Edwards’ proof-text—is surprisingly straightforward and simple: God esteems himself as the ultimate end for which he made the world. The world was (and we were) created for God, or, to put it a different way, for God’s glory.
One thing that stood out to me early in the book is Edwards’ simple yet profound interpretation of a few verses I had seen a million times before, but had never considered in the context of this question. Edwards cites verses like Isaiah 48:12 and Revelation 22:13, where God calls himself the first and the last, and interprets this to mean that God is not only the first cause but also the last end or purpose of all creation. He similarly cites verses such as Romans 11:36, Colossians 1:16, and Hebrews 2:10, where all things are said to be from God, for God, and to God, to show that all things proceed from God as their creator and flow back to God as their ultimate end or reason for existence, and that all glory will ultimate flow back to God, so that the glory of God is the last end and final consummation of the existence of the world.
In fact, I’ve never seen so much scriptural support for any belief as Edwards provides for his claim that God makes himself his purpose in the creation of the world. Many times in the book Edwards lists off a half dozen passages and then says something like, “but places to this purpose are too numerous to be particularly recited; see them in the margin,” and if you follow the footnote you’re presented with a list of two or three dozen passages that are similar to the five or six already given.
I have been blessed by this book. I will never think about God’s purposes and intentions in quite the same way again, nor will I read or understand many passages of scripture in the same way. I’m overwhelmed by how great God is and how insignificant I am in the scheme of things, and yet how significant I am to God in fulfilling his own purposes because I have the capacity (albeit only as the Holy Spirit works in me) to recognize God for who he is, to take my delight in him, and enjoy him forever, thereby giving him the honor, praise, and glory he alone is due. As Piper has said elsewhere many times, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him,” and, “the chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying him forever. ”
Rating: 5 / 5
Comment by Joey Day — May 8, 2010 @ 7:00 pm
Everyone needs to read this and take a hard look at the “15 Implications” that he lists in chapter one. If Piper (and Edwards)is right, and I believe he is, then these “15 Implications” are really “15 Indictments” against the church today. I appreciated Piper’s help in Edwards’ portion of this book. The footnotes and section headings are extremely helpful in following the flow. I have read other works by Edwards and they can be difficult to follow, but Piper helps the reader to follow the outline and flow of thought given by the 18th-century author. I say “thanks” to Mr. Piper for this helpful and challenging book.
Rating: 5 / 5
Comment by Paul Meinsen — May 8, 2010 @ 9:05 pm
This tremendous book is divided into 2 sections the first is somewhat of an introduction by Piper to the second part which is “The End For Which THe World Was Created” by Jonathan Edwards. While Piper is always a “deep read” he is likewise an accurate shot. His insights and command of the simplicity of the sovereignty of God are a blessing tothe church today. Jonathan Edwards, primarliy known for his sermon, “Sinners in the Hand of An Angry God” goes beyond his sermon and eloquently states that we are here to fulfill a purpose. . . to glorify God and yet that one singluar purpose is the essence of our own joy and peace. What a place of rest this is. Regardless of all the wonderful things Piper has written and, I love them all. . . this may well turn out to be one of Piper’s greatest acomplishments: the reintorduction of Jonathan Edwards to the church.
Rating: 5 / 5
Comment by Timothy M. Ballard — May 8, 2010 @ 11:58 pm