What do you think?
Rate this book
God's Passion for His Glory: Living the Vision of Jonathan Edwards
In his essay The End for Which God Created the World, the great theologian Jonathan Edwards proclaimed that God's ultimate end is the manifestation of his glory in the highest happiness of his creatures. Pastor John Piper has devoted his years of ministry to exploring the implications of this stunning truth for life and ministry. Understanding that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him has made all the difference for John Piper-and can transform your life as well. Here Piper passionately demonstrates the relevance of Edwards's ideals for the personal and public lives of Christians today through his own book-length introduction to Edwards's The End for Which God Created the World. This book also contains the complete essay supplemented by almost a hundred of Piper's insightful explanatory notes. The result is a powerful and persuasive presentation of the things that matter most in the Christian life.
266 pages, Hardcover
First published September 15, 1998
133 people are currently reading
2233 people want to read
About the author
John Piper
609 books4,622 followersJohn 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
September 9, 2016
This book is actually two books in one. The first half is written by John Piper. Piper’s section intends to introduce the modern reader to one of the greatest works by one of the greatest scholars, Jonathan Edwards’ The End For Which God Created the World. The second section is the complete text of that work. Oftentimes I have a hard time deciding between four or five stars for books I love. In this case, the five star rating was an easy choice.
Why five stars? What can an early 18th century theologian possibly have to say to a 21st century person? As it turns out, a LOT. Many people know only a caricature of Edwards as the gruff, joyless Puritan who preached “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” While it is true that Edwards preached that sermon, nothing else of the common characterization is true. Jonathan Edwards, one of the greatest minds America ever produced, was a passionate and joyful man who was ardently and single-mindedly committed to the Almighty.
In this particular work, Edwards sets out to prove that God’s ultimate end (purpose) in creating the world was His own glory. Moreover, there is no contest between God’s glory and man’s happiness; in fact, they are one and the same thing. Edwards begins proving this through reason, pointing out that as “reason by itself is a defective guide,” it can “help answer objections to revelation.” Later in the work, he uses scripture to thoroughly prove his argument.
What I love about this book is that it opened my eyes to see God’s majesty and worthiness in a greater way than before. It filled me with a deeper joy and gratitude than I’d previously known. It has had a profound effect on my worldview and my conception of the Almighty, and for all this I owe a debt to Jonathan Edwards. I highly recommend this book, along with other of Edwards’ writings, and George Marsden’s biography, Jonathan Edwards: A Life.
Why five stars? What can an early 18th century theologian possibly have to say to a 21st century person? As it turns out, a LOT. Many people know only a caricature of Edwards as the gruff, joyless Puritan who preached “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” While it is true that Edwards preached that sermon, nothing else of the common characterization is true. Jonathan Edwards, one of the greatest minds America ever produced, was a passionate and joyful man who was ardently and single-mindedly committed to the Almighty.
In this particular work, Edwards sets out to prove that God’s ultimate end (purpose) in creating the world was His own glory. Moreover, there is no contest between God’s glory and man’s happiness; in fact, they are one and the same thing. Edwards begins proving this through reason, pointing out that as “reason by itself is a defective guide,” it can “help answer objections to revelation.” Later in the work, he uses scripture to thoroughly prove his argument.
What I love about this book is that it opened my eyes to see God’s majesty and worthiness in a greater way than before. It filled me with a deeper joy and gratitude than I’d previously known. It has had a profound effect on my worldview and my conception of the Almighty, and for all this I owe a debt to Jonathan Edwards. I highly recommend this book, along with other of Edwards’ writings, and George Marsden’s biography, Jonathan Edwards: A Life.
March 17, 2013
One of the best.
Why did God create the world? Many Christians would answer (rightly): For the sake of his own glory. But what in the world does that mean? What is "the glory of God"? How should we understand it, and what does it have to do with me?
This is Edwards at his philosophical finest, taking head on the intellectual challenges of his day with one eye on the Scriptures and the other on the culture.
Don't assume that you understand Edwards' argument the first time through. Meditate, reflect, work it over in your mind.
This one will repay multiple readings.
Why did God create the world? Many Christians would answer (rightly): For the sake of his own glory. But what in the world does that mean? What is "the glory of God"? How should we understand it, and what does it have to do with me?
This is Edwards at his philosophical finest, taking head on the intellectual challenges of his day with one eye on the Scriptures and the other on the culture.
Don't assume that you understand Edwards' argument the first time through. Meditate, reflect, work it over in your mind.
This one will repay multiple readings.
November 10, 2017
Two books in one, Piper puts forth great effort to shed light on an Edwards classic, “The End For Which God Created The World”. This book is very important as it points us to the meaning of everything, namely that God created the world and everything in it for His glory. Not an easy read, but very worthy to be looked at carefully and prayerfully. Highly recommend.
July 9, 2021
Possibly the most important book I have ever read (excepting the Bible, of course!). The book is split into 2 parts: the 2nd being the complete work of Jonathan Edwards' 'The End For Which God Created The World' and the 1st part being John Piper's introduction to Edwards' work. Its Jonathan Edwards' part that gives this book its greatness and importance, but Piper's introduction is also a valuable and helpful read too.
December 13, 2014
Some of Jonathan Edwards' stuff is really hard to read and exhausts your brain, but boy is it worth it!
December 24, 2021
So many Christians are living their lives asking existential questions like: Why did God make me? What does it mean that I'm supposed to live for God's glory? Well, how did I get here? It turns out Edwards gave a masterful, comprehensive answer to these long before philosophers in the years since made them so pressing.
Why, then, are Christians so confused about these ideas? Probably because Edwards' answer is unimaginably dense and academic to the twenty-first century layman, which is why Piper's introduction, commentary, and headers are so necessary. Piper gives a short biography of Edwards (did you know he was the president of Princeton? Maybe that's common knowledge, but I had no idea), relates the content with ideas more familiar to modern readers, and pauses Edwards to explain what in the world he's talking about in a way that makes the text approchable for a simpleton like me.
Complaints aside - The End For Which God Created the World is a masterwork that has changed the way I see the world, and Piper's additions are invaluable to get through it.
Why, then, are Christians so confused about these ideas? Probably because Edwards' answer is unimaginably dense and academic to the twenty-first century layman, which is why Piper's introduction, commentary, and headers are so necessary. Piper gives a short biography of Edwards (did you know he was the president of Princeton? Maybe that's common knowledge, but I had no idea), relates the content with ideas more familiar to modern readers, and pauses Edwards to explain what in the world he's talking about in a way that makes the text approchable for a simpleton like me.
Complaints aside - The End For Which God Created the World is a masterwork that has changed the way I see the world, and Piper's additions are invaluable to get through it.
November 18, 2022
Full of rich theology. Maybe a lil bit slow to the point, but necessary for the topic.
I’ve never read anyone who was more God-centered.
I’ve never read anyone who was more God-centered.
September 15, 2018
The first half is John Piper giving a mini-biography of Edwards along with why Edwards wrote. The second half is Edward's "The End for Which God Created the World." It's difficult to read, but good nevertheless.
Recommended 11+
Recommended 11+
April 5, 2019
Un genial viaje a través de la visión de J. Edwards y Piper de un tema extraordinario: porqué Dios creo todo.
January 3, 2019
Uma mudança diametral no fluxo do pensamento teológico
Em seu texto "O fim para o qual Deus criou o mundo", Jonathan Edwards busca inquirir qual o fim maior de todo o universo, com a minúcia lógica típica do raciocínio de um filósofo, o comprometimento com a Escritura típico de um teólogo, e o coração ardente pela glória de Deus típico de um adorador.
Na primeira parte do livro ele explica termos que utilizará ao longo da obra, diferenciando, por exemplo, fim "último" de fim "intermediário", e fim "principal" de fim "secundário". Na segunda parte, ele perscruta o que podemos deduzir sobre o fim do universo a partir de bases filosóficas e do raciocínio aplicado à verdade revelada. Na última parte, por fim, Ele busca a partir da exegese das mais diversas partes da Escritura buscar o que a Palavra nos diz ser o fim de toda a criação: a glória de Deus.
Na via filosófica, se destaca o intelecto monumental de Edwards e a sua capacidade de derivar conclusões logicamente coerentes das premissas reveladas na Escritura, e então derivar novas proposições dessas conclusões, refutando, no caminho, possíveis outras conclusões, para, ao final de tudo, atingir a conclusão de que o único fim último e maior possível de toda a criação é a glória de Deus.
Na via teológica, Edwards não poupa referências de praticamente todas as áreas da Escritura, com exegeses responsáveis e comprometidas, em raciocínios que abundam em referências bíblicas, evidenciando a intimidade de Edwards com a Escritura.
Mas, por trás e em meio e emergindo de tudo isso está o coração adorador de Edwards, nos trazendo as implicações para nossa vida cristã.
John Piper, por sua vez, que nos guia pelo texto com comentários explicativos e uma introdução extremamente relevante, não falha também em tornar essa obra, que em muitos momentos pode ser maçante para o leitor moderno pela forma de sua escrita, mais palatável para aquele que deseja que essas verdades teóricas produzam o efeito devido no coração.
Como diz Piper, a verdade de que não somos nós o fim último de todo universo, mas a glória de Deus, causa uma mudança diametral em todo o fluxo de nosso pensamento teológico, de uma perspectiva antropocêntrica, para uma perspectiva absolutamente teocêntrica, no que diz respeito aos conceitos mais básicos do cristianismo: santidade, adoração, justiça, verdade, moral, existência, amor, e evangelismo. Uma obra extremamente recomendada para todos que desejam conhecer a Deus, e absolutamente indispensável para qualquer teólogo, pastor, ou aspirante. Deixo abaixo algumas citações do texto para amostra.
Jonathan Edwards:
"O fim da criação é que a criação possa glorificar a Deus. Agora, o que é glorificar a Deus, senão regozijar-se na glória que Ele revelou? A felicidade da criatura consiste em regozijar-se em Deus, pelo que Deus também é magnificado e exaltado".
"A retidão moral de Deus deve consistir no devido respeito a coisas que são objeto de respeito moral; isto é, para seres inteligentes capazes de ações e relações morais. E portanto deve principalmente consistir em dar o devido respeito àquele Ser a quem o maior respeito é devido; Pois Deus é infinitamente digno da maior consideração possível. Logo, se retidão moral do coração consiste em prestar o devido respeito do coração àquilo que é devido, o dever requer que uma consideração infinita seja prestada a Deus; e negar essa consideração suprema seria uma conduta infinitamente indevida. Dessarte, segue que a retidão moral consistente na disposição, inclinação ou afeição de Deus consiste principalmente em uma consideração por Ele próprio, infinitamente acima de sua consideração por todos os outros seres; em outras palavras, a sua própria santidade consiste nisso".
Algumas implicações trazidas por Piper:
"Portanto, Deus é tão comprometido com a minha eterna e sempre crescente satisfação nele tanto quanto ele é comprometido com sua própria glória".
"Qual a essência do mal? É abandonar uma fonte de águas vivas por cisternas rotas. Deus recebe nosso desprezo e nós recebemos a morte. Estas são uma coisa só: ao escolher a miséria disfarçada de iguaria nós debochamos do Deus que dá a vida".
"Nossa tarefa evangelística não é persuadir pessoas que o Evangelho foi feito para as necessidades que eles sentem, mas que eles foram feitos para a totalmente satisfatória glória de Deus expressa no Evangelho".
"Similarmente, a pregação cristã, como parte da adoração coletiva da igreja de Cristo, é uma exultação expositiva nas glória de Deus reveladas em sua Palavra, designada para atrair o povo de Deus dos prazeres enganadores do pecado para o caminho sacrificial de satisfação obediente nEle".
"A essência da adoração coletiva autêntica é a experiência coletiva de profunda satisfação na glória de Deus, ou um temor de que nós não tenhamos essa satisfação e um grande anseio por ela".
Em seu texto "O fim para o qual Deus criou o mundo", Jonathan Edwards busca inquirir qual o fim maior de todo o universo, com a minúcia lógica típica do raciocínio de um filósofo, o comprometimento com a Escritura típico de um teólogo, e o coração ardente pela glória de Deus típico de um adorador.
Na primeira parte do livro ele explica termos que utilizará ao longo da obra, diferenciando, por exemplo, fim "último" de fim "intermediário", e fim "principal" de fim "secundário". Na segunda parte, ele perscruta o que podemos deduzir sobre o fim do universo a partir de bases filosóficas e do raciocínio aplicado à verdade revelada. Na última parte, por fim, Ele busca a partir da exegese das mais diversas partes da Escritura buscar o que a Palavra nos diz ser o fim de toda a criação: a glória de Deus.
Na via filosófica, se destaca o intelecto monumental de Edwards e a sua capacidade de derivar conclusões logicamente coerentes das premissas reveladas na Escritura, e então derivar novas proposições dessas conclusões, refutando, no caminho, possíveis outras conclusões, para, ao final de tudo, atingir a conclusão de que o único fim último e maior possível de toda a criação é a glória de Deus.
Na via teológica, Edwards não poupa referências de praticamente todas as áreas da Escritura, com exegeses responsáveis e comprometidas, em raciocínios que abundam em referências bíblicas, evidenciando a intimidade de Edwards com a Escritura.
Mas, por trás e em meio e emergindo de tudo isso está o coração adorador de Edwards, nos trazendo as implicações para nossa vida cristã.
John Piper, por sua vez, que nos guia pelo texto com comentários explicativos e uma introdução extremamente relevante, não falha também em tornar essa obra, que em muitos momentos pode ser maçante para o leitor moderno pela forma de sua escrita, mais palatável para aquele que deseja que essas verdades teóricas produzam o efeito devido no coração.
Como diz Piper, a verdade de que não somos nós o fim último de todo universo, mas a glória de Deus, causa uma mudança diametral em todo o fluxo de nosso pensamento teológico, de uma perspectiva antropocêntrica, para uma perspectiva absolutamente teocêntrica, no que diz respeito aos conceitos mais básicos do cristianismo: santidade, adoração, justiça, verdade, moral, existência, amor, e evangelismo. Uma obra extremamente recomendada para todos que desejam conhecer a Deus, e absolutamente indispensável para qualquer teólogo, pastor, ou aspirante. Deixo abaixo algumas citações do texto para amostra.
Jonathan Edwards:
"O fim da criação é que a criação possa glorificar a Deus. Agora, o que é glorificar a Deus, senão regozijar-se na glória que Ele revelou? A felicidade da criatura consiste em regozijar-se em Deus, pelo que Deus também é magnificado e exaltado".
"A retidão moral de Deus deve consistir no devido respeito a coisas que são objeto de respeito moral; isto é, para seres inteligentes capazes de ações e relações morais. E portanto deve principalmente consistir em dar o devido respeito àquele Ser a quem o maior respeito é devido; Pois Deus é infinitamente digno da maior consideração possível. Logo, se retidão moral do coração consiste em prestar o devido respeito do coração àquilo que é devido, o dever requer que uma consideração infinita seja prestada a Deus; e negar essa consideração suprema seria uma conduta infinitamente indevida. Dessarte, segue que a retidão moral consistente na disposição, inclinação ou afeição de Deus consiste principalmente em uma consideração por Ele próprio, infinitamente acima de sua consideração por todos os outros seres; em outras palavras, a sua própria santidade consiste nisso".
Algumas implicações trazidas por Piper:
"Portanto, Deus é tão comprometido com a minha eterna e sempre crescente satisfação nele tanto quanto ele é comprometido com sua própria glória".
"Qual a essência do mal? É abandonar uma fonte de águas vivas por cisternas rotas. Deus recebe nosso desprezo e nós recebemos a morte. Estas são uma coisa só: ao escolher a miséria disfarçada de iguaria nós debochamos do Deus que dá a vida".
"Nossa tarefa evangelística não é persuadir pessoas que o Evangelho foi feito para as necessidades que eles sentem, mas que eles foram feitos para a totalmente satisfatória glória de Deus expressa no Evangelho".
"Similarmente, a pregação cristã, como parte da adoração coletiva da igreja de Cristo, é uma exultação expositiva nas glória de Deus reveladas em sua Palavra, designada para atrair o povo de Deus dos prazeres enganadores do pecado para o caminho sacrificial de satisfação obediente nEle".
"A essência da adoração coletiva autêntica é a experiência coletiva de profunda satisfação na glória de Deus, ou um temor de que nós não tenhamos essa satisfação e um grande anseio por ela".
November 28, 2025
This book was rly rly good!! It wasn’t groundbreaking for me bc I’ve read sm John Piper, but I still rly enjoyed this one and would fs recommend it.
It took me so long to read bc I didn’t rly want to read the Jonathan Edwards portion, but it rly wasn’t bad. Hes incredibly thorough in his argument, but I basically just read every section heading and read a couple sections i wanted clarification on. Overall it’s rly easy to skim read and still learn plenty from.
The arguments presented are incredibly intelligent and rly, rly important to Christianity. We don’t understand God nearly as well as we should; our minds have grown rly weak lol. Reading old books is rly important, and I’m grateful that I pushed through and read most of this one. Definitely a great starting point; if anybody wants to borrow this just lmk. It’s difficult but so worth it. Understanding God better is a what to glorify and delight in Him.
It took me so long to read bc I didn’t rly want to read the Jonathan Edwards portion, but it rly wasn’t bad. Hes incredibly thorough in his argument, but I basically just read every section heading and read a couple sections i wanted clarification on. Overall it’s rly easy to skim read and still learn plenty from.
The arguments presented are incredibly intelligent and rly, rly important to Christianity. We don’t understand God nearly as well as we should; our minds have grown rly weak lol. Reading old books is rly important, and I’m grateful that I pushed through and read most of this one. Definitely a great starting point; if anybody wants to borrow this just lmk. It’s difficult but so worth it. Understanding God better is a what to glorify and delight in Him.
June 19, 2017
Es un libro que no puede ser leído rápidamente, al menos no la segunda parte donde se integra el texto completo de Edwards "El fin por el cual dios creó al mundo". Pero es lo que precisamente hice y no lo pude disfrutar por lo tanto como había esperado. De todas formas pude conocer un poco más la vida y pensamiento de aquel hombre, sobre cuyos hombros hoy está parado John Piper y quien, con su teología centrada en Dios y su gloria señala hacia el hombre quien se lo enseñó.
Un día volveré y lo leeré mas detenidamente.
Un día volveré y lo leeré mas detenidamente.
December 7, 2024
Always fascinating to me that Piper has spent his life deeply reading two seemingly contradictory people: C.S. Lewis and Jonathan Edwards.
Despite their differences, they were both obsessed with joy and God’s glory. And as Christians, we often struggle with our own happiness versus God’s glory. Using Edwards and Lewis, Piper wants us to see that these two great passions (our happiness and God’s glory) are not at odds.
God’s passion for his own glory and his passion for my joy in him are not at odds. The exhibition of God’s glory and the deepest joy of human souls are one thing.
God is as committed to my eternal and ever-increasing joy in him as he is to his own glory. God is most gloried in me when I am most satisfied in him.
The pursuit of our soul’s satisfaction—our joy and delight and happiness—is not sin. Sin is the exact opposite: pursuing happiness where no lasting happiness can be found.
What is the chief end of man? The chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying him forever.
Despite their differences, they were both obsessed with joy and God’s glory. And as Christians, we often struggle with our own happiness versus God’s glory. Using Edwards and Lewis, Piper wants us to see that these two great passions (our happiness and God’s glory) are not at odds.
God’s passion for his own glory and his passion for my joy in him are not at odds. The exhibition of God’s glory and the deepest joy of human souls are one thing.
God is as committed to my eternal and ever-increasing joy in him as he is to his own glory. God is most gloried in me when I am most satisfied in him.
The pursuit of our soul’s satisfaction—our joy and delight and happiness—is not sin. Sin is the exact opposite: pursuing happiness where no lasting happiness can be found.
What is the chief end of man? The chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying him forever.
December 18, 2020
El ánimo que da Piper antes de enfrentarse al libro de Jonathan Edwards es indispensable para leerlo. Si no hubiera sido por ello, probablemente no lo hubiera terminado. Pero ya que me advirtió muchísimas veces que valía la pena, recordé esas palabras cuando me parecía que el libro no tenía sentido...hasta que al final, todo se unió y fue hermoso.
December 10, 2022
It's obvious that this work of Edwards was not a book but notes for one. His friends found and published it but it is lacking the usual logic of Edwards work. One of the main issues is Edwards setting up a straw man argument to put down. Piper is so enamored with Edwards that he fails to adequately analyze the work.
However, parts of it are quite worthwhile so I added a star.
However, parts of it are quite worthwhile so I added a star.
May 8, 2025
The Piper portion of the book is great, and I’m sure the Edwards section (the second half) is even better, but his language is just so archaic it’s really hard to read. Thankfuller Piper has a million footnotes to explain it. Still, it’s probably not for everybody. If you like John Piper, this is like seeing the roots of where his theology comes from.
May 29, 2025
Possibly the most important theological work from the modern world, and definitely the most important ever from an American theologian. Edwards is unmatched in his God-centered logic, and Piper is a helpful guide for those seeking to climb the mountain of "The End for Which God Created the World"
August 28, 2017
I enjoyed this book. Jonathan Edwards is hard to read.
John Piper explains him very well!
John Piper explains him very well!
July 2, 2019
I am just not a fan of Piper’s or Edwards’ writing style.
September 3, 2019
Revivifying a classic, Piper puts Edwards in context and then lets the revivalist hammer the reader. Excellent.
September 24, 2019
Not sure how I lived before reading this
May 29, 2020
Libro que cambia completamente la cosmovisión antropocéntrica del creyente a una perspectiva teocéntrica, es una obra literaria majestuosa y con mucha riqueza. Todo se trata de Cristo.
June 1, 2020
Good, but Edwards was a little too much into Necessarianism.
March 9, 2024
Awsome
The is an awesome message for both Christians and non Christians Johnathan Edwards is one of the true Christians Thank you John Piper for bringing this forward
The is an awesome message for both Christians and non Christians Johnathan Edwards is one of the true Christians Thank you John Piper for bringing this forward
December 16, 2024
Before 10+@ years, I had read this book. John Piper's teacher is Jonathan Edwards...
October 19, 2025
This book has really helped me reorient my thinking. No longer am I thinking mainly in terms of the meaning of life from my point of view (i.e., Westminster Shorter Catechism Question #1), but now see the importance of looking beyond myself in consideration of why God created the world. The chapter with the Scriptural proofs is the most important. I just wish Jonathan Edwards' dealt more deeply with the topic of reprobation and how it is a means to the ultimate end of God's glory. This isn't to say that Edwards doesn't address it at all, but I just wish he would have said more.
February 4, 2019
A book that gives an ultimate answer to one of life’s ultimate questions. An excellent work from two great theological minds set apart by centuries. John Piper’s writing is clear and helpful; Jonathan Edwards’ challenging yet completely satisfying. This is worth reading.
December 15, 2016
It's difficult to paraphrase a work like this (Piper himself says not to do it which is why he includes the whole text of Edwards' book within his own), but I'll attempt to give my quick two cents with the caveat that you should really read it yourself. No summary will do it justice, certainly not mine.
This book is actually 2 books. The first half is John Piper's personal testimony about how Jonathan Edwards writing has influenced Piper's view of God and his own ministry emphasis, followed by a brief biography of Edwards' life and work. The second half of the book is the full text of Edwards' "The End for Which God Created the World," with some editorial help from Piper who takes what would surely be an almost insurmountable Everest and breaks it up into more digestible sections with summary headings. I know I wouldn't have persevered through Edwards' text without Piper's help. He really did succeed in making a lofty masterpiece more accessible.
Edward's book is in two sections as well. The first tackles the philosophical questions. The second relies on Scripture to make his same points... all in answer to that one question, "What was the ultimate end for which God created the universe?" The answer, in brief, is "the glory of God." But the answer is not where the magic happens. It's his amazing defense of the statement that is the weight of the volume.
If you've struggled, as I have, with the concept of the glory of God, he will likely hit on most every specific question you've had. What is it? Why is it? What is our responsibility? Why does God demand the it? What does that say about God? What does that say about us? Does it all make sense? Does it feel right? Is it true? Does it make sense philosophically? Does is make sense through what we have of divine revelation through Scripture?
It's a painstakingly exacting work, tedious at times, and absolutely breathtakingly profound in others. Piper describes Edwards like this: "Those who have climbed highest see more clearly than those in the cloudy regions below how much higher the reaches of the mountains of God really are. Below we talk about mystery because we cannot see the clouds. Above the clouds Edwards talks of mystery because the peaks of divinity stretch out into space without end." So basically, Edwards is profound. He was someone who saw "above the clouds" and makes you think things you've probably never thought before.
Even so, on a personal note, I was comforted. Understanding and accepting all the emphasis on and references to the "glory of God" is something I struggled with for years. Why? Why does God want the glory? Doesn't that makes God seem arrogant? Somehow needy and dependent on his own creation? Wouldn't a perfect God be more humble? As sacrilegious as those sorts of thoughts seem, I believe God always wants us to be humbly honest in our questionings. We are told to ask, seek, knock. As I've read the Scriptures over the years, he has answered my questions, not in a philosophical way that might win a battle of words and wits, but simply with the truth of who He is in the pages of Scripture. He has comforted my soul through my own search in the Word. The answers given by Edwards resonated with the conclusions I had already come to in my own mind, clarifying and defining and defending them. The comfort was in knowing that, even as someone lacking the brilliant mind of a Jonathan Edwards, God can still speak His truth to me through His Word with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. "He will teach you all things." I may not learn all things in this life, but I do appreciate how this book has revealed a little more of this profound and elegant mystery to my seeking heart and questioning mind.
My summary might be...
God's Glory is for our good. Our good is for God's glory.
In the words of Edwards...
"The happiness of the creature consists in rejoicing in God, by which God is also magnified and exalted."
"The chief and ultimate end of the Supreme Being in the worlds of creation and providence was the manifestation of his own glory in the highest happiness of his creatures."
In the words of Piper...
"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."
"The chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever."
This book is actually 2 books. The first half is John Piper's personal testimony about how Jonathan Edwards writing has influenced Piper's view of God and his own ministry emphasis, followed by a brief biography of Edwards' life and work. The second half of the book is the full text of Edwards' "The End for Which God Created the World," with some editorial help from Piper who takes what would surely be an almost insurmountable Everest and breaks it up into more digestible sections with summary headings. I know I wouldn't have persevered through Edwards' text without Piper's help. He really did succeed in making a lofty masterpiece more accessible.
Edward's book is in two sections as well. The first tackles the philosophical questions. The second relies on Scripture to make his same points... all in answer to that one question, "What was the ultimate end for which God created the universe?" The answer, in brief, is "the glory of God." But the answer is not where the magic happens. It's his amazing defense of the statement that is the weight of the volume.
If you've struggled, as I have, with the concept of the glory of God, he will likely hit on most every specific question you've had. What is it? Why is it? What is our responsibility? Why does God demand the it? What does that say about God? What does that say about us? Does it all make sense? Does it feel right? Is it true? Does it make sense philosophically? Does is make sense through what we have of divine revelation through Scripture?
It's a painstakingly exacting work, tedious at times, and absolutely breathtakingly profound in others. Piper describes Edwards like this: "Those who have climbed highest see more clearly than those in the cloudy regions below how much higher the reaches of the mountains of God really are. Below we talk about mystery because we cannot see the clouds. Above the clouds Edwards talks of mystery because the peaks of divinity stretch out into space without end." So basically, Edwards is profound. He was someone who saw "above the clouds" and makes you think things you've probably never thought before.
Even so, on a personal note, I was comforted. Understanding and accepting all the emphasis on and references to the "glory of God" is something I struggled with for years. Why? Why does God want the glory? Doesn't that makes God seem arrogant? Somehow needy and dependent on his own creation? Wouldn't a perfect God be more humble? As sacrilegious as those sorts of thoughts seem, I believe God always wants us to be humbly honest in our questionings. We are told to ask, seek, knock. As I've read the Scriptures over the years, he has answered my questions, not in a philosophical way that might win a battle of words and wits, but simply with the truth of who He is in the pages of Scripture. He has comforted my soul through my own search in the Word. The answers given by Edwards resonated with the conclusions I had already come to in my own mind, clarifying and defining and defending them. The comfort was in knowing that, even as someone lacking the brilliant mind of a Jonathan Edwards, God can still speak His truth to me through His Word with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. "He will teach you all things." I may not learn all things in this life, but I do appreciate how this book has revealed a little more of this profound and elegant mystery to my seeking heart and questioning mind.
My summary might be...
God's Glory is for our good. Our good is for God's glory.
In the words of Edwards...
"The happiness of the creature consists in rejoicing in God, by which God is also magnified and exalted."
"The chief and ultimate end of the Supreme Being in the worlds of creation and providence was the manifestation of his own glory in the highest happiness of his creatures."
In the words of Piper...
"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."
"The chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever."
September 9, 2024
Half Piper, Half Edwards. The Piper portion is a introduction to Edwards and why he is writing the book and his experience with Edwards writings. The second half, which Edwards wrote is a extremely thorough examination of the thesis. Edwards is extremely difficult to read IMO and it is difficult at times getting through, but once you finish the book you will have a ton of amazing information in your brain. This is my first Edwards read and won't be my last lord willing.
March 8, 2017
This is an outstanding guided-tour of one of Edwards most influential works. It is a difficult book, not because the issues are not clearly outlined either by Mr. Edwards or Piper--rather the closer one approaches the mind and purposes of God, the more different from Him we realize we are.
Nevertheless, this is a supremely important book to read. One that will radically reshape your understanding regarding the end to which God created the world.
One of the greatest blessings of this book is the realization that God's glory and our happiness are not two considerations but one. God's glory is our joy because His virtue is our greatest good. God wants nothing less than His creatures to enjoy what He most enjoys about Himself.
What a loving, gracious, and merciful God we have.
Nevertheless, this is a supremely important book to read. One that will radically reshape your understanding regarding the end to which God created the world.
One of the greatest blessings of this book is the realization that God's glory and our happiness are not two considerations but one. God's glory is our joy because His virtue is our greatest good. God wants nothing less than His creatures to enjoy what He most enjoys about Himself.
What a loving, gracious, and merciful God we have.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews