"Desiring God" by John Piper

One of the classic works written in recent decades is without a doubt John Piper's book Desiring God, Revised Edition: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist recently republished and updated.  Books like this become a class for a reason.  This book has characterized Piper's growing popularity and ministry.  But the subtitle sums it all up, Desiring God is a book of Meditations of a Christian Hedonist.

Piper sets forth his case for Christian Hedonism, a term that is on the surface rather unfortunate, but still remains an adequate one.  Piper begins by suggesting that This is a serious book about being happy in God and he sets forth his case.  He finds his case for Christian Hedonism is the old creed, The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.  Here we see the connection between God's glory and our joy.  These two realities permeate the book.  God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.  Piper shows how God's glory in our lives leads to real joy in our lives.

This is a pleasant book.  I am pleased that Piper admits some of the criticism he has received in his argument and defends his case for Christian Hedonism.  But what makes this book such a classic isn't his defense, but his argument.  I have found it critically helpful for us to see that glorifying God in our lives leads to our joy.  If only Christians would understand that basic fundamental point even without the hedonist label.

Overall, this is a classic pure and simple.  Piper walks us through various aspects of the Christian life such as love, marriage, worship, etc. and shows how Christian Hedonism is the answer.  But even if you don't favor the label or even think the same way as Piper, this is a crucially important book and a classic for a reason.  Joy can be ours if we will glorify God in our lives.  We need both.


I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.


Other Piper Books:
Reviews - "Finally Alive" 
Reviews - "A Sweet & Bitter Providence" by John Piper 
Reviews - "The Supremacy of Christ in a Post-Modern World" 
Reviews - "When I Don't Desire God"
Reviews - "The Supremacy of God in Preaching" 


Other WaterBrook Multnomah Titles;
Reviews - "Radical Together" 
Reviews - The Next Christians" 
Reviews - "Start Here" by Alex & Brett Harris 
Reviews - "Angels" by David Jeremiah 
Reviews - "Dug Down Deep" by Joshua Harris 
Reviews - "Treasured" by Leigh McLeroy
Reviews - "God Gave Us Christmas" by Lisa Bergren 
Reviews-  "God Gave Us Love" by Lisa Bergren 
Reviews - "Every Sing Man's Battle" by Stephen Arterburn & Fred Stoeker