Desiring God

a review by Adam Pohlman

John Piper is on a mission to tell the world of the pleasures to be found in God. Many people today look at the Christian life as burdensome, and some obey the commands of Christ out of duty, not as a privilege. In his book Desiring God, Piper introduces an idea that he shows is founded in scripture called "Christian Hedonism." It is explained in detail throughout the deep and thought-provoking book, but simply defined in a slight adjustment of a phrase in the Westminster Catechism: "The chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever." He restates it as, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."

Most of the pleasure we find in our lives comes from worldly things in life - money, music, family, careers, etc. - which in themselves are not necessarily bad, but are to only be used to reflect God's glory. John Piper ties in our finding great pleasure in things like this to idolatry. "Christian Hedonism does not make a god out of pleasure. It says that one has already made a god out of whatever he finds most pleasure in." (pg. 24) Every blessing in our life is a gift of God to reflect His glory by taking pleasure in Him and giving Him the credit.

The most difficult and exciting parts of Desiring God are discussed in relationship to service to God and to others. Chapters on marriage, love, money, missions, and suffering reveal the proper place for emotions in the Christian life. Too often Christians find themselves on one extreme or another: strict theology with no emotional response, or engineered emotion with no basis in scripture. Piper says, "Truth without emotion produces dead orthodoxy and a church full (or half-full) of artificial admirers...[E]motion without truth produces empty frenzy and cultivates shallow people who refuse the discipline of rigorous thought...The fuel of worship is a true vision of the greatness of God." (pg. 81,82) "We drink in the Spirit by setting our minds on the things of the Spirit, namely, the Word of God." (pg. 149)

According to John Piper, a desire to find pleasure in the Creator of the universe then will overflow into loving service to others. "Love is the overflow of joy in God that meets the needs of others. The overflow is experienced consciously as the pursuit of our joy in the joy of another." (pg. 141) This is where many traditional thoughts on love and service are challenged. The chapter on marriage is begun with the thought that the reason so many marriages fail isn't because a spouse is always seeking his own pleasure, but that he is not seeking it in his spouse. What kind of service is it to someone when we do it begrudgingly? Doesn't it bring more delight to your neighbor (and serve as a much better witness) when you do something for him because it is "your pleasure" and not because it is simply something you are required to do? In the same way we honor God much more when we obey his commands with pleasure, not out of duty.

This book will challenge you to consider why you are a Christian and if your ultimate pleasure is found in Christ. When considering the suffering of Christians, Piper asks "How many Christians do you know who could say, 'The lifestyle I have chosen as a Christian would be utterly foolish and pitiable if there is no resurrection'?" (pg. 261) This question comes from Paul addressing the Corinthians (1 Cor. 15:19), where he says that the life he has chosen is to be pitied if his message is false. Is your desire for Christ so intense that you look foolish to unredeemed? What is it in your life that is preventing you from pursuing the joys to be found in Him?

There is far too much spiritual fruit to be gleaned from this book and place in a short review. Previously held ideas I had about many parts of the Christian life were seriously challenged but produced a much deeper understanding of God. I encourage all believers to spend time with John Piper meditating on the pleasures of God.