Desiring God by John Piper (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read the Preface, Introduction and Lessons from a Love Poem.
In the Preface to the extended edition (1996) Piper reflects that in the ten years since the first edition he has seen his theory proved right in his own life.
Then in the Introduction Piper outlines the steps of his initial discovery that we glorify God by enjoying him. He then answers six objections to his thesis of Christian hedonism.
Then a Love Poem is given that Piper wrote to his wife on their 25th wedding anniversary.
I liked Piper's answers to objectors, particularly the first one: '...Christian Hedonism as I use the term does not mean God becomes a means to help us get worldly pleasures. The pleasure Christian Hedonism seeks is the pleasure which is in God himself. He is the end of our search, not the means to some further end. Our exceeding joy is he, the Lord-not the streets of gold, or the reunion with relatives or any blessing of heaven. Christian Hedonism does not reduce God to a key that unlocks a treasure chest of gold and silver. Rather it seeks to transform the heart so that "the Almighty will be your gold and choice silver to you" (Job 22:25).'
Well put. God is the end in our search for happiness.
Read Chapter 1.
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
2 comments:
I was really struck by the CS Lewis Weight of Glory quotation. I must read that essay.
Good to have you reading along Josh.
Yes, Piper seems to like CS Lewis.
As for myself, I'm still a little uncertain about Lewis. I appreciate his fiction, but not always his theology.
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