Joseph Pipa is known for his warm pastoral application of tough scriptural principles. Here, he takes an authoritative look at the ‘first day’ – the one set aside by the church for worship. This is an area of Church practice in which we find liberal interpretations practiced by evangelical churches and vice versa – often without too much thought involved and an emphasis upon what ‘feels’ right.Many of these issues are considered unclear, optional, divisive - with the unhealthy result that we tend to avoid the subject altogether.Are we missing out on God’s blessing by the way we celebrate the Lord’s Day - are we too legalistic, too lax? Is the Spirit grieved by our disrespect to God or frustrated by our thralldom to unnecessary restrictions? These and other questions are answered in The Lord’s Day.“A splendid book . . . shows the delightful character of God’s provision of a day of worship and rest for his people. The church has needed this book. Use your Sunday afternoons to read it!”—W. Robert Godfrey, Westminster Theological Seminary, California

Preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in and out of season is a calling that requires dedication. Today, Joseph Pipa explains why it is vital for the sound preaching of God’s Word to be at the center of church life.

Why is it so important that we don’t add to or take away from the Word of God? Today, Joseph Pipa helps us understand the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture.

In 1 Corinthians 10:31, the Apostle Paul instructs Christians to “do all to the glory of God.” Today, Joseph Pipa outlines six principles from Scripture that can help us glorify God and enjoy Him in our daily lives.

preaching, prayer, sacraments, fasting, and private and family worship. Above all, we must cling to Christ.

We also need to develop habits that will help guard the heart. In the booklet Impure Lust, John Flavel gave seven directions for dealing with lust:

1. Beg of God a clean heart, renewed and sanctified by saving grace. We must always begin with the heart, for it is the fountain of all else (Matt. 15:19), and God promises to answer our prayers as we pray according to His will (John 14:13–14). We must seek the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit.

2. Walk in the fear of God all the day long, and in the sense of his omniscient eye that is ever upon you. How often our behavior is dictated by who is watching. We forget that He sees all.

3. Avoid lewd company, and the society of unclean persons; they are panderers for lust. Evil company corrupts good manners. Remember that this direction not only includes our personal contacts but those we encounter through movies, music, books, magazines, and computers.

4. Exercise yourself in your calling diligently; it will be an excellent means of preventing this sin. You have heard the adage, "Idleness is the Devil's workshop."

5. Put a restraint upon your appetite: feed not to excess. This direction does not mean that we may not enjoy God's good gifts of food and drink, and the pleasure of feasting with friends, but it is a sober reminder that if we pander to our physical appetites in one area, we will be more prone to fall in other areas.

6. Choose a spouse and delight in the one you have chosen. One of the liberating insights of the Reformation is that within marriage, sex is for pleasure and is a God-given protection against unlawful lusts.

7. Take heed of running on in a course of sin, especially superstition and idolatry: in which cases, and as a punishment of which evils God often gives up men to these vile affections (Rom. 1:25–26). Sin inevitably breeds sin.

In these ways, the church may guard her people. Practice and teach these things.

quickening of grace.” Our baptism reminds us that we are in union with Christ and have died to sin and its power. As we reflect on our baptism and its significance, we draw strength from the death and resurrection of Christ. Further, our baptism reminds us of our obligation to repent, mortify our sin, and pursue holiness. Baptism, therefore, is a useful bridge linking what we are in Christ to the fight against temptation and sin.

Our union with Christ guarantees our mortification. Let us remind ourselves of the power that is ours in Christ, enlist our bodies in the service of righteousness, and use our baptism as a means to these ends.

was slain, and didst purchase for God with Thy blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9 KJV).

The second aspect of redemption is the restoration of inheritance. In Leviticus 25:25, a kinsman-redeemer could pay off a family debt, restore the land, and provide an heir (for example, what Boaz did for Ruth). In Galatians, Paul applies redemption to our adoption: “In order that he might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Gal. 4:5, 7). Adam not only plunged us into the morass of guilt and corruption, he lost also the family farm. He blew our inheritance as the sons of God. Christ paid off the debt of our sin so that God could restore the right and privileges of adoption.

Christ, therefore, by His active and passive obedience, fulfilled the Father’s commandment. In His atoning work, He accomplished four things: expiation, propitiation, reconciliation, and redemption. Through His work He fully accomplished salvation.

Let us praise God for the complete salvation and marvel at the wise love that planned and accomplished it. What an amazing love! The love God bestowed on us in eternity, the suffering and death of our Savior. What profound wisdom! Only divine wisdom could have concocted a plan for the salvation of sinners that enabled God to be just while justifying sinners (Rom. 3:24–26).

whom He has not redeemed. The Bible uses many different terms to describe the horror of eternal damnation: “lake of fire burning with brimstone” (Rev. 19:20); “vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 7); “the blackness of darkness forever” (Jude 13); “torments” (Luke 16:23); “everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord” (2 Thess. 1:9); and a place of “outer darkness” and “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 22:13). The impact of God’s righteous judgment is compounded as we realize that these images may be mere illustrations for a much worse reality.

Thus, we see the Bible’s honest and comprehensive description of death. All is not revealed, but not as much is hidden as our agnostic culture would have us think. Let us rejoice that Christ faced all the horrors of death on our behalf.

The October 2022 issue of Tabletalk will consider several virtues that have been ignored, forgotten, or lost in society and the church. Throughout history Christians have strived to embody several virtues or morally right actions that are revealed to us in nature and in Scripture. This has affected Western culture at large, with secular society also encouraging the practice of virtues such as honor, honesty, chastity, fortitude, temperance, and more. However, the esteem for these virtues has been in rapid decline over the last century, and results in the family, church, and society have been calamitous. This issue of Tabletalk will look at many of these lost virtues and help readers apply them today. Contributors include Joseph A. Pipa Jr., Susan Smith Bennett, Lowell A. Ivey, Brooks Buser, Kenneth Mbugua, Ken Montgomery, Mark Kelderman, Jason K. Allen, Ken Jones, Tyler Kenney, William Barcley, Todd Pruitt, Dustin W. Benge, Christina R. Fox, William VanDoodewaard, Barry J. York, Kevin D. Gardner, Victor Cruz, Aaron L. Garriott, Emily Van Dixhoorn, and Michael Dewalt.

Parents are unable to give their children what they need most-new hearts that trust in Christ for forgiveness of sins. All belief is a work of God alone. But parents must not “hinder“ their children from coming to Christ, as Jesus‘ disciples sought to hinder mothers and fathers from bringing small children to Him (Mark 10:13-16). On the contrary, they must do everything in their power to “bring“ their children to the Savior, which means raising their sons and daughters in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). In Parenting by God‘s Promises: How to Raise Children in the Covenant of Grace, Dr. Joel R. Beeke explores what this nurture and admonition looks like and offers gems of practical wisdom for parents on topics such as instituting and leading family worship, teaching children, modeling faithful Christian living, and exercising discipline. However, he carefully puts parental responsibilities in their proper perspective and guides mothers and fathers to lean not on their own abilities but to trust more fully in the God who knits children together in the first place. Above all, he affirms, parents must look to the one true God, who promises to provide everything His people need and to bless them and their families. Endorsements “The defection of young people from the church is creating great concern in our day. Oftentimes the solutions seem to exacerbate the problem. Joel Beeke’s book, Parenting by God’s Promises: How to Raise Children in the Covenant of Grace, is a sane, biblical word in the midst of the chaos. The book blends a vibrant covenant theology with wise, practical instruction. Moreover, it keeps a balance between family and church in the nurture of our children. This book is an important read for pastors, elders, parents, and grandparents.” —Dr. Joseph A. Pipa Jr. “In an age of pragmatism, Joel Beeke is a drink of fresh, cool theological water. Raising children is about more than just surviving until they leave home; Beeke reminds us that Christian parents must view their roles in the broader context of God’s redemptive work. Our goal must be raising children who, by God’s grace, come to know and follow the Lord who has redeemed us and called us to Himself. This is a daunting task, and parents need all the help they can get. For those desperate to hear a clear, thoughtful, biblical, theological, Reformed treatise on the subject, Parenting by God’s Promises is a valuable read.” —Dr. Voddie Baucham

The theological system known as Calvinism is often caricatured as harsh, dour, and illogical. But as Dr. Joel R. Beeke argues in this important new book, this image could not be further from the truth. Dr. Beeke, a pastor, educator, editor, and prolific author, shows instead that Calvinism is a theology that is firmly rooted in Scripture and works its way out into every area of the believer‘s life. He aims to “cover the intellectual and spiritual emphases of Calvinism, the way it influences the church and everyday living, and its ethical and cultural implications.“ In this comprehensive survey of Reformed Christianity, Dr. Beeke and eight fellow contributors offer twenty-eight chapters that trace the history of Calvinism; explore its key doctrinal tenets, such as the so-called five points of Calvinism and the solas of the Protestant Reformation; reveal how Calvinists have sought to live in devotion to God; and survey Calvinism‘s influence in the church and in the world at large. In the end, the book asserts that the overriding goal of Calvinism is the glory of God. Saturated with Scripture citations and sprinkled with quotations from wise giants of church history, this book presents Calvinism in a winsome and wondrous fashion. Endorsements “Dr. Joel Beeke has once again performed a great service for the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. This book will profit every class of reader, from the new convert to the most mature believer. Dr. Beeke’s style embodies the characteristics of experiential Calvinism on which he writes: every chapter is clear and addressed to the heart. I particularly found the chapter ‘Applying the Word’ to be a needed word for Calvinistic preachers in our day. Buy a copy for yourself and a number to give away.” —Dr. Joseph A. Pipa Jr. “Living for God’s Glory is a very helpful and insightful introduction to Reformed Christianity. It demonstrates that Calvinism is not narrowly doctrinal, but broad and profound, speaking to every aspect of Christian life. It will inform and inspire Christians in biblical faithfulness.” —Dr. W. Robert Godfrey

Sunday is widely recognized as the day on which Christians attend church. But beyond that, confusion exists regarding how we should view the Lord’s Day. What relation, if any, exists between the Old Testament Sabbath and our worship today? Does the New Testament teach the uniqueness of the Lord’s Day, or are all days to be viewed the same? The following resources, curated by the Ligonier editorial team, seek to answer these questions and can help believers better understand this day of worship.

The Sabbath as Rest and Hope for the People of God by Guy Prentiss Waters

This book provides an introductory study of the Sabbath from the creation of the world to the consummation of all things at Christ’s return, showing how the Sabbath is observed through the major themes and genres of the Bible—creation, law, prophets, Christ, and new creation. Waters notes that the Sabbath is intricately tied to rest and worship, both of which ultimately point to the Lord as our Creator and Redeemer.

The Christian Sabbath by Terry L. Johnson 

Sunday was once considered a day of rest and worship in America, but now most people treat it just like any other day of the week. What led to that change? How should we think about the Lord’s Day? These questions and others are addressed in this book, which draws out the teaching of Scripture and provides practical recommendations to help Christians experience the benefits and blessings of the special day God has given us.

The Lord’s Day: Sabbath Worship and Rest by W. Robert Godfrey Why do Christians worship on Sunday? How is worship on the first day of the week connected to the fourth commandment? Isn’t the Sabbath the seventh day of the week and not the first? In this 6-part teaching series, Dr. Godfrey surveys the theology, history, practice, and biblical teaching behind the Lord’s Day so that we might devote this day to the One to whom it rightly belongs.

The Lord’s Day by Joseph A. Pipa Jr.

Many of the issues surrounding Sunday worship are considered unclear, optional, or divisive, which can result in Christians ignoring the subject entirely. But nothing could be more important than worshiping our Lord in the way He desires. Are we missing out on God’s blessing by the way we celebrate the Lord’s Day? Are we too legalistic, or are we too lax? These and other questions are answered in The Lord’s Day.

The Day of Worship: Reassessing the Christian Life in Light of the Sabbath by Ryan McGraw Many books have been written on the day of rest, yet many believers still do not observe this holy day. In this book, McGraw lays out the biblical basis for the Sabbath, including discussions on Isaiah 58, worldliness, legalism, the Reformed application of the law, and practical observations. This article is part of the Recommended Resources collection.

Barnes](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0852346263?ie=UTF8&tag=ligoniminist-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0852346263), J. Gresham Machen, Derek Thomas, David DeSilva, Joseph Pipa, David McWilliams, and Richard Longenecker. I would also recommend John Calvin’s Sermons on Galatians and Martin Luther’s classic commentary.

Helpful Related Works The interpretation of Galatians and other Pauline letters has been impacted in recent decades by the New Perspective on Paul. For those seeking help on this issue, the works by Cornelis Venema, Guy Prentiss Waters, and Robert Cara are particularly good.

This article is part of the Top 5 Commentaries collection.

on the one hand or obscurantism on the other. This is due to the fact that these men understand the implications of what Dr. Sproul said in the response we have been examining for the last several weeks. Would that more Christians would take Dr. Sproul’s wise words to heart.

: Augustine, De Genesi ad litteram: 1.19.39 translated by J.H. Taylor, Ancient Christian Writers, Newman Press, 1982, volume 41. : And if the universe turns out to be both because of aspects of God's creation having to do with relativity and time, that will not ultimately conflict with what Scripture turns out to actually teach either. : Three of the views of the days of Genesis were defended in David G. Hagopian, ed. The Genesis Debate: Three Views on the Days of Creation (Mission Viejo, CA: Crux Press, 2001). : Robert L. Dabney, Systematic Theology, 2nd ed. (St. Louis: Presbyterian Publishing Company of St. Louis, 1878), 254–6; Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology, 4th rev. ed. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1941), 154–5. : Douglas F. Kelly, Creation and Change, Genesis 1.1-2.4 in the Light of Changing Scientific Paradigms (Ross-shire: Christian Focus Publications, 1997); James B. Jordan, Creation in Six Days: A Defense of the Traditional Reading of Genesis One (Moscow, ID: Canon Press, 1999); and Joseph A. Pipa and David W. Hall, eds., Did God Create in Six Days? (Greenville, SC: Southern Presbyterian Press and Kuyper Institute, 1999). : Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, 3 vols. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 1982) 1:570–71; B. B. Warfield, Evolution, Science, and Scripture: Selected Writings, edited by Mark A. Noll and David N. Livingstone (Grand Rapids: Baker: 2000), 145; J. Gresham Machen, The Christian View of Man (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1965), 115; E. J. Young, Thy Word is Truth (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1957), 169–70. : Francis Schaeffer, Genesis in Space and Time (Downers Grove: IVP, 1972) and James Montgomery Boice, Genesis, Volume 1: Creation and Fall (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1982, 1998). : Meredith Kline, “Because It Had Not Rained,” ,Westminster Theological Journal 20 (1958) 146-57; Mark Futato, “Because It Had Rained: A Study of Gen 2:5-7 With Implications for Gen 2:4-25 and Gen 1:1-2:3,” Westminster Theological Journal 60 (1998) 1–21; Henri Blocher, In the Beginning, The Opening Chapters of Genesis, Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity, 1984. : William G.T. Shedd, Dogmatic Theology, 3rd ed. Edited by Alan W. Gomes. (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2003), 374. : C. John Collins, Genesis 1-4: A Linguistic, Literary, and Theological Commentary (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2006) and W. Robert Godfrey, God‘s Pattern for Creation: A Covenantal Reading of Genesis 1 (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2003).

This article is part of the Reformed Approach to Science and Scripture collection.

One of my favorite parts of publisher websites is the "Coming Soon" section. Here the publishers announce forthcoming titles. I was recently asked to look through the "Coming Soon" section of several Christian publisher websites and share with our readers those titles that I hope to read soon after their publication. Most of the titles in the following list are academic titles, so they will not appeal to everyone.

I already know that I will disagree, perhaps strongly, with some of these books. However, I like to stay informed as much as possible with all sides on certain issues. Of course, since none of these books has been published, I cannot say whether any one of them will be good or not. I can say, however, why I am looking forward to a particular book.

Baker Academic

Paul Copan. Is God a Moral Monster? Making Sense of the Old Testament God. Many of the new atheists point to difficult passages in the Old Testament to support their accusations against theism. I'm looking forward to seeing whether or not Copan offers helpful answers to these accusations. If so, this might be a good book to give to people who are wrestling with such questions.

Christian Smith. The Bible Made Impossible: Why Biblicism is not a Truly Evangelical Reading of Scripture. It is difficult to tell from the publisher's description whether this book will be another critique of the Bible's authority or merely a critique of the use made of the Bible by certain evangelicals. Either way, I like to keep up with books on such topics.

Walter Kaiser. Preaching and Teaching the Last Things: Old Testament Eschatology for the Life of the Church. I have a long-standing interest in eschatology, and this book looks like it may provide some interesting insights into O.T. eschatology.

Herman Bavinck. Reformed Dogmatics, abridged edition. Herman Bavinck's four-volume Reformed Dogmatics was only recently translated into English. I have read this translation, so I am interested in the abridgement to see what was removed.

Khaled Anatolios. Retrieving Nicaea: The Development and Meaning of Trinitarian Doctrine. This looks like it will be a very interesting look at Nicene Trinitarianism.

Broadman & Holman

Christopher Donato, ed. Perspectives on the Sabbath. I'm looking forward to this book because I have been helping Chris with it since the very early stages. I've actually already read the manuscript, but I am looking forward to seeing the completed bound version. The four views represented are: the seventh-day Sabbath view (Skip MacCarty); the Puritan Sabbath view (Joseph Pipa); the Sabbath fulfilled in Christ view (Craig Blomberg); and the Lutheran view (Charles Arand). In each of the four sections one author presents his view. The other three authors respond, and then the first author offers a rejoinder answering the questions and criticisms of the other three.

Christian Focus Publications

Philip Ross. From the Finger of God: The Biblical and Theological Basis for the Threefold Division of the Law. The endorsements for this book caught my attention. It looks like it could be a definitive text on

15 No. 5, which was partly appreciative but generally critical. On the other extreme is Rich Lusk, who wholly embraces the New Perspective teaching on justification: see footnote 29. In between these two Federal Vision figures there are varying positions but a strong general tendency in favor of the New Perspective.

[37] Duncan, The Attractions of the New Perspective.

[38] J. V. Fesko has written a helpful article exploring the terminological confusion sown by the New Perspective: “The New Perspective on Paul: Calvin and N.T. Wright,” accessed on-line at http://www.christianity.com/CC/CDA/Content\Blocks/CC\_Printer\_Friendly\_Version\_Utility/1,,PTID23682|CHID125467|CIID1538370|CPATHL3BhcnRuZXIvQXJ0aWNsZV9EaXNwbGF5X1BhZ2UvMCwsUFRJRDIzNjgyfENISUQxMjU0Njd8Q0lJRDE1MzgzNzAsMDAuaHRtbA==,00.html, on Oct. 11, 2004. For a more positive and helpful take on this topic, see Jonathan Barlow, “Levels of Discourse and the New Perspective,” accessed on-line at http://www.christianity.com/CC/CDA/Content\_Blocks/CC\_Printer\_Friendly\_Version\_Utility/1,,PTID23682|CHID125467|CIID1532882|CPATHL3BhcnRuZXIvQXJ0aWNsZV9EaXNwbGF5X1BhZ2UvMCwsUFRJRDIzNjgyfENISUQxMjU0Njd8Q0lJRDE1MzI4ODIsMDAuaHRtbA==,00.html, on Oct. 11, 2004. For a similar critique of the Auburn Avenue Theology, see Joseph A. Pipa, Jr., “Auburn Avenue Theology: An Overview of Critics’ Concerns,” in Beisner, ed. _The Auburn Avenue Theology: Pros and Cons, 11-12.

© Richard D. Phillips, Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church of Coral Springs, Margate, FL, October 19, 2004. Reprinted with the author's permission.

This article is part of the New Perspective on Paul collection.

For a thorough on-line archive of related articles, see http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/topic/new\perspective.html. For book-length treatments, the works listed in this paper will provide a sound brief bibliography. Important books not cited include many works by Sanders, Dunn, and Wright, along with the following: D.A. Carson, et al, _Justification and Variegated Nomism, 2 vols. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001, 2004); Colin G. Kruse, “Paul, the Law, and Justification” (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1996; Peter Stuhlmacher, Revisiting Paul’s Doctrine of Justification (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 2001); Frank Thielman, The Law and The New Testament (New York: Herder & Herder, 1999); and Stephen Westerholm, Perspectives Old and New on Paul (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004).

We've gone back and collected some of the most popular Tabletalk articles from 2013. Don't forget it's only $23 a year to subscribe to Tabletalk, and $20 to renew. You can even try it free for three months.

Christ and the Academy: An Interview with D.A. Carson

"The most dangerous seedbed for intellectual rebellion is a home where faith is sentimental and even anti-intellectual, and where opponents are painted as ignorant knaves, because eventually our children discover that there are some really nice people who are atheists and agnostics, and they can present arguments in sophisticated, gentle, and persuasive fashion."

Dealing with Lust by Joseph Pipa Jr.

"We are not under the dominion of sin. However, we need to take daily precautions. Foundationally, our families and churches need to foster a culture of chastity, emphasizing sexual purity in thought, dress, language, and behavior. Such a culture begins with parents in the home and office-bearers (pastors and church officers and their wives) in the congregation."

Escaping the "Cage Stage" by R.C. Sproul

"... those newly minted Reformed believers who are so aggressive and impatient that they should be locked in a cage for a little while so that they can cool down and mature a little in the faith."

Suffering and the Glory of God by R.C. Sproul

"When we suffer, we must trust that God knows what He is doing, and that He works in and through the pain and afflictions of His people for His glory and for their sanctification. It is hard to endure lengthy suffering, but the difficulty is greatly alleviated when we hear our Lord explaining the mystery in the case of the man born blind, whom God called to many years of pain for Jesus' glory."

When God is Not Enough by Scotty Smith

"When the glory of the one true living God is no longer our principal passion in life, worship becomes a pragmatic vehicle for fulfilling two basic quests in life: provision and protection. Instead of living for God’s glory and looking to Him to meet our needs, we exist for our glory and look for gods who will meet our demands."

Recovering Lost Disciplines by Burk Parsons

"We stand at a crossroads, and we will either rediscover the lost virtues of listening, meditating, and thinking, or we will amuse ourselves to death. However, our problem lies not in our twenty-first-century tools and toys, but in our inability to use them without them using us."

Doubt-Killing Promises by Justin Taylor

"The next time you find yourself in Doubting-Castle, and hear the terrifying rumblings of Giant Despair at the double-bolted door, remember that you have had the key of escape all along. If the Son has set you free, you are free indeed."

Good News and Good Deeds by Elyse Fitzpatrick

"We have Christ’s record of obedience imputed to us by faith alone: just as if we had never sinned, just as if we had always obeyed. It is when we live in the

Here's an excerpt from Dealing with Lust, Joseph Pipa Jr.'s contribution to the February issue of Tabletalk.

"They are as close as our skin, the troika of lusts described by the Apostle John: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life (1 John 2:16). These inordinate and forbidden longings of the sinner are the fountain of sin, as James points out when teaching that God does not tempt us to sin: "But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death" (James 1:14–15 NASB).

The natural man is in bondage to his lusts (Rom. 3:10–18), but at our conversion, because of our union with Christ, we are delivered from the dominion of lusts: "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace" (6:12–14)."

Continue reading Dealing with Lust or begin receiving Tabletalk magazine by signing up for a free 3 month trial.

For over twenty-five years John Piper has trumpeted the truth that “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.” He calls it Christian Hedonism. The problem is that many people, after being persuaded, find that this truth is both liberating and devastating.It’s liberating because it endorses our inborn desire for joy. And it’s devastating because it reveals that we don’t desire God the way we should. What do you do when you discover the good news that God wants you to be content in him, but then find that you aren’t?If joy in God were merely the icing on the cake of Christian commitment, this book would be insignificant. But Piper argues that joy is so much more. Our being satisfied in God is necessary to show God’s worthiness and to sustain sacrifices of love.Jesus endured the cross for the joy that was set before him. He tasted it. It sustained him through the deepest suffering. His Father was glorified. His people were saved. That is what joy in God does.The absolutely urgent question becomes: What can I do if I don’t have it? With a pastor’s heart and with radical passion for the glory of Christ, John Piper helps you answer that question.

Scripture reveals that the great business of life is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever. In this paradigm-shattering classic, newly revised and expanded, John Piper reveals that the debate between duty and delight doesn't truly exist: Delight is our duty. Readers will embark on a dramatically different and joyful experience of their faith.A modern manual of true spirituality.—R. C. SproulA soul-stirring celebration of the pleasures of knowing God...a must-read for every Christian, and a feast for the spiritually hungry.—John MacArthurThe healthy biblical realism of this study in Christian motivation comes as a breath of fresh air. Jonathan Edwards, whose ghost walks through most of Piper's pages, would be delighted with his disciple.—Jim Packer

Athanasius. John Owen. J. Gresham Machen. Each of these men stood for the truth of God's Word in the face of opposition — all out of a deep love for Christ and a desire for people to know God in his fullness. Popularity was not a concern, and they took no joy in controversy for argument's sake. However, these men were willing to suffer for the sake of guarding the sanctity of the gospel. Many threats, years of exile, deaths of loved ones, opposition from friends and authorities, sickness and pain — none of these setbacks could keep these three from maintaining their efforts for the furthering of Christ's Kingdom or quench their zeal for Christ himself. In this book, John Piper has given us biographies of Athanasius, John Owen, and J. Gresham Machen — bishop, pastor, and seminary founder. In the life of each one, personal holiness was emphasized publicly and privately despite suffering. They were true soldiers for the sake of the cross, and each man offers life lessons for Christians today."I love this book. John Piper reminds us that it is not enough to affirm or defend our faith, we must also be willing, under fire, to contend for our faith."—R.C. Sproul