Let the Nations Be Glad!: The Supremacy of God in Missions

by John Piper, Mike Lenz (Reader)

John Piper's bestselling book on missions (more than 300,000 copies sold) draws on key biblical texts to demonstrate that worship is the ultimate goal of the church and that proper worship fuels missionary outreach. Piper offers a biblical defense of God's supremacy in all things, providing listeners with a sound theological foundation for missions. This thirtieth anniversary edition of a contemporary classic incorporates insights from the author's refined thinking over the past ten years. Used extensively as a textbook for missions courses and a resource for ministries, Let the Nations Be Glad! provides a passionate plea for God-centeredness in the whole enterprise of world evangelization and explores the role of prayer and spiritual warfare. The book is essential for those involved in or preparing for missions work. It also offers enlightenment for students, pastors, youth workers, campus ministers, and all who want to connect their labors to God's global purposes.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Christianity

Audio CD

Published October 25, 2022

About the author

John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as senior pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.), and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years, he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem.

John is the author of more than 50 books and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noel, have four sons, one daughter, and twelve grandchildren.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Miles Lapointe · Rating 5 out of 5]

YES JOHN! Great missions book I get why it’s the initial textbook recommendation for anyone interested in missions. Even outside of the practical overseas missions realm, it redefined the way I thought about prayer during a time I was questioning the real purpose of it if God just ordains everything. Don’t worry I won’t spoil what that redefinition was, you should read it yourself I’ll loan it to you if you need it lol :)

[Lindsey Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO GOOD! It clarified and refined my perspective on what biblical missions really is. Even though John Piper was a bit long-winded at times, it is absolutely worth the read.

“Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is.”

[Collin Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal.

[Caroline Parkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely thorough. Maybe not the best book to listen to in the morning before my brain is fully functional lol. But I appreciated Piper's insistence on the supremacy of Christ in missions. Missions are for Christ, by Christ, and through Christ. Any focus on myself that isn't aimed at worshipping Christ is fatal in the cause of missions.

[Brandon Sickling · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I’m not sure you can be a reformed millennial and not have read ‘let the nations be glad’.” - Sis.

I can officially call myself a reformed millennial now. Highly recommend. I’ve been reading Piper for almost 15 years and my admiration just continues to grow. The thing that impresses me the most is that his message hasn’t changed. This book, originally written 30 years ago “tastes” exactly the same as his books written in the last 2 years, in a good way. The message hasn’t changed because the Gospel doesn’t change.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 I would recommend

I really don’t have time to get in the weeds with this review. (End of semester grind). Simply put, a peer pointed out to me how this book is really good as an “all-in-one” missions book. This was a persuasive point, and it’s because of that I would recommend this book to those who are seeking missions or those who are taking a missions class.

[Jeffrey McDowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

One must be aware of some Calvinistic undertones, but Piper does an excellent job of showing God's view of missions and his desire for us to reach others for Him.

[Jake Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that contains Christian Hedonist Theology + the Church’s Mission = a foundational book for every Christian, whether a Sender or Goer.

[Caitlin Perkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this book while on our 6 week mission trip and it was SO good to remember the supremacy of God while we were there. It was so good, but he’s a Calvinist so just be aware of some of those undertones HAHAHHA

[Emma Sheehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

John piper never disappoints. Everything that comes out of his mouth is about Gods glory and that is GOLDDDD 🔥🔥

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

While John Piper has written a number of books, in general they play on the same basic themes: (1) God is supreme over all and worthy of our entire focus, attention, and affections and (2) we are most satisfied when we enjoy and delight in God. So I would say that there are three books that one ought to read of Piper's many books. First, Desiring God is, arguably, most clearly communicates his vision. Second, Brother's We are Not Professionals, offers sound counsel and theological wisdom to those who desire or are in 'professional ministry.' And, after these two, Let the Nations be Glad!, as it gives the reader a robust vision for the 'why' of Christian missions, i.e., to make more worshipers for God an offers some solid thoughts on the basic contours of missions. Essential reading for any student of missiology or for aspiring missionaries.

[Annette Ridenour · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the concept of a look at missions from a Calvinist perspective, especially since it seems the two could be contradictory. I like John Piper. He has a lot of wisdom but I sometimes struggle with his work. It seemed like there were many rabbit trails of theology in this book that pulled focus from the topic, and as someone who leans more into Wesleyan theology, it can be hard for me to get on board or see the value in some of those tangents. What I did appreciate was his focus on the supremacy of Christ and letting your focus on Christ be above all when it comes to missions, money, church, etc. it’s about being in and delighting in his presence and doing what he says beyond any best practices. I also appreciated his reminders of the spiritual battle and war we’re in and how that should align our priorities.

[Josh Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is classic Piper and as usual, it's really helpful. John Piper explains that "missions exists because worship doesn't" and then he provides a thorough, in-depth analysis of how Christians should think about God-centered missions. An excellent resource and a foundational book that shapes how you should think about mission work.

[Garrett Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.8
Missions exists because worship doesn’t. However, missions isn’t the ultimate goal of the church, worship, of our great and big and generous and kind and all knowing and all loving and all satisfying God, is.

[Paul Brunning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful and thorough exegesis that encourages us to be engaged in mission, but very ponderous.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this as part of a Missions course. Heavy on the theology of why churches support missions.

[Aaron Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing.

[Carmen Keeton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reminders on why we do missions!
The Joy of the Lord is our strength and our testimony!

[Christopher]

audiobook

[Reid Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good treatment of and vision for global missions.

[Ava Rideout · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote a big response but just gonna keep it simple actually: such a boss book. Litterally fire.

[Katie Daughtry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great material. I agree with his view. Could be more concise, it seems longer than it needs to be.

[Brit Choate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Piper always cooks

[Allen Mandap · Rating 5 out of 5]

How I wished I didn’t delay reading this book!

[Joshua Molden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I had ever read regarding God's mission and who specifically He is on mission to. It has stirred my heart for the nations because God's heart is for the nations. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who wants a biblical case for God's heart for the nations. Additionally, if you are wanting to see how God is glorified in spreading His name throughout the nations, read this book!