John Piper, a Baptist pastor from Minneapolis, has written several books on biblical studies and theology. Desiring God is a centerpiece of his ministry, and has served as an inspiration for generations of Christians.
The Meaning of Life
Piper modifies the Westminster Catechism, for the quote “The chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever.” This quote summarizes his argument, which is that through worshiping God, people can increase their own happiness, and pleasure in life.
C.S. Lewis and the Value of Enjoyment
C.S. Lewis, who Piper cites, discusses how faith has become associated with duty, sacrifice, and suffering. Lewis attributes these connotations to the influence of philosophers, and not intrinsic to the Gospels, which promise rewards and joy beyond the realm of human experience. Christians tend to associate the concept of “pleasure” with sensual pursuits, such as alcohol and sex, when the pleasure God offers involves infinite joy.
Lewis makes the analogy that humans are like children who would rather stay and play in their sandbox than take a vacation to the ocean.
God’s Sovereignty as Central for Happiness
Piper discusses the salvation of humankind as a means of God to glorify himself. God originally created humans to be in relationship with him, and by bringing them back to into connection, he creates greater glory for himself.
While reconciliation is an important purpose of God’s work, it is only a means by which God creates greater fame and honor for himself, the ultimate goal. While this would seem selfish or conceited for a human, when God wins glory, he is enjoying the greatest good.
Piper’s understanding of sovereignty is God’s complete independence and power over everything in the universe. As described in the Bible’s Psalms 115, God does everything that he wants to, and everything he does becomes reality.
Jonathan Edwards and the Two Lenses
One difficulty with this view of God’s sovereignty is the presence of evil in the world. If God is in control, how can evil and sin be accounted for?
Piper cites Jonathan Edward’s (a prominent Christian minister in the 1700’s) metaphor of two lenses, as in a telescope. From the short range telescopic lens, God sees the pain people experience, and sorrows with them, as he did at Jesus’ crucifixion. From the long range telescopic lens, God is gratified because the greater purpose of his work is furthered.
Desiring God in Practice
Piper describes how often people are asked if they believe in God, when the better question may be “is Christ your treasure?” That is, if a person is truly Christian, Jesus should be their greatest joy and the reason for all that they do.
In the book, Piper describes how Christian Hedonism (the pursuit of joy in God) informs such areas as worship, money, marriage, missions and suffering.
Desiring God is an excellent resource for an individual seeking to clarify received ideas about the Christian faith, and to move beyond duty into joy.
Jeffrey Donaldson - J. Donaldson lives in New York City, and is interested in writing about literature and science.
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