Desiring God - by John Piper

Desiring God is one of the most popular books written by Pastor John Piper. He is a reformed theologian known for his life-long ministry and the many other books that he has written. John actually grew up in Greenville and went to Wade Hampton High school. He is now currently the senior pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis. The reason that this is one of his most popular books is that in it he basically sums up his entire worldview into one book. The beliefs he explains in this book are the basis for his entire ministry and the way he lives his life. He is best known for his idea of “Christian Hedonism”, which he talks about in Desiring God.

The basis of his beliefs is composed of this Christian Hedonism. At first, the term “Christian Hedonism” sounds very self- contradictory, but Piper explains just the opposite. Christianity says that man’s chief end is to glorify his Creator, God, but the word “Hedonism” generally has the opposite connotation. Hedonism is the practice of seeking only pleasure in life, generally physical, and in hedonism, God isn’t glorified, man is. John Piper’s point in Desiring God is that we should seek to find pleasure and joy, but that we shouldn’t seek to gain it from a fleeting world; we should find our satisfaction and happiness in God and glorify him by doing so.

In Desiring God John Piper goes even as far as to challenge the Westminster Catechism. The Westminster Catechism says that man’s purpose in life is to “Glorify God and enjoy him forever.” Piper’s view of Christian Hedonism says that man’s purpose in life is to “Glorify God by enjoying him forever.” Piper says that God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in him. John Piper reveals that a Christian’s conflict between duty and delight doesn’t truly exist. Delighting in God is our duty. This book is amazing because it tells about how we don’t have to give up joy in life in order to follow Jesus, but in fact He is the only one who can give us joy. Desiring God addresses one of the biggest problems that most people have with living a life for God. We often have a view that Christianity demands that we be miserable and not partake in any of the things in life that we think that will make us happy. Piper’s views show that God wishes to fulfill our desires to be happy, but He doesn’t want us to try to fill those desires with the world, but rather with Himself. Throughout the entire book Piper focuses and elaborates on one main idea: being satisfied with God and finding ultimate purpose and happiness in him.

John Piper clearly illustrates all of his points and gives great insight one biblical truth. I would definitely recommend any of John Piper’s books, but I would especially recommend Desiring God. This book has made me ask myself some great questions and has personally encouraged me.