Piper proposes a way of life that emphasizes our joy and condemns doing spiritual disciplines only out of duty.Īt first glance, this way of life seems to encourage us to be self-centered and place our interests above everything else. This book is a game-changer it will challenge your theology, and flip your world upside down. If I had to use one word to summarize Desiring God, I would say thought-provoking. Piper also included several quotes from influential figures in church history, which proved Christian hedonism has been prevalent throughout historical Christianity. He based all his arguments from the Holy Scriptures and demonstrated that prioritizing our joy is God’s idea. Piper explained in great detail the concept of Christian hedonism and provided several analogies and examples to further our understanding.

(The revised edition does not have all the appendices, the hardcover reference edition does.) My thoughtsĭesiring God was well written.

The book also has appendixes with further information for a deeper understanding of Christian Hedonism.įor instance, “Why call it Christian Hedonism,” “Is the Bible a reliable guide to Lasting Joy?” and more. Piper presented his arguments for Christian hedonism by showing how it impacts the happiness of God, conversion, worship, love, Scripture, prayer, money, marriage, missions, and suffering. But his primary purpose was to convert believers to Christian hedonism because it is a biblical mandate, not an option. Piper wrote this book for several reasons, all of which he mentioned in the epilogue. Piper defines it as, “the conviction that God’s ultimate goal in the world (his glory) and our deepest desire (to be happy) are one and the same, because God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” In this book, Piper explains in detail what Christian Hedonism is, what the Bible says about it, and how we can become Christian hedonists. He is the author of more than 50 books, and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available free of charge at .” About the bookĭesiring God is about the noble and mysterious art of Christian Hedonism. For 33 years, he served as pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. “John Piper is founder and teacher of and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. But if asked, John Piper would slightly modify the answer and say, “the chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever.” This little clarification is the central theme of Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist.

The first question in the Westminster Confession of Faith is, “What is the chief end of man?” The answer is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

Desiring god book