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161st out of 1,456 books
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God Is the Gospel: Meditations on God's Love as the Gift of Himself
by
John Piper
In Piper's reflective, paradigm-challenging book, he drives home the point that what is most loving about God is not his making much of us, but his enabling us, at great cost to himself, to enjoy making much of Him forever.
Hardcover, 190 pages
Published
September 1st 2005
by Crossway Books
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Actually, we are watching a DVD series based on this book. Piper says if you could be happy in a heaven full of all the good gifts from God, all of your loved ones and none of the bad of this world, but no Jesus -- you don't understand the Gospel. Jesus is more than just the ticket to heaven that gets tossed away once you get there. The good news of the Gospel is that our reward is God Himself. We will have intimate companionship with Jesus forever in eternity: "Whom have I in heaven bu...more
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I should start by saying that I find John Piper best live or on video. There's something about seeing him, animated and moving, that makes him both (1) easier to understand, and (2) more enjoyable. In fact, full disclosure, I find that he can be a bit repetitive for my tastes in print. Then again, he's unpacking these massive, earth-shattering, mind-altering truths that bear repeating, so it's hard to blame his style or repetition.
All that out of the way, "God is the Gospel"...more
All that out of the way, "God is the Gospel"...more
Wow. A must read and one I will be coming back to again. Inadvertently, it was also a great read in preparation for Easter. Here are some quotes:
"What makes all the events of Good Friday and Easter and all the promises they secure good news is that they lead us to God. "Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God" (1 Pet. 3:18). And when we get there, it is God himself who will satisfy our souls forever. Everyth...more
"What makes all the events of Good Friday and Easter and all the promises they secure good news is that they lead us to God. "Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God" (1 Pet. 3:18). And when we get there, it is God himself who will satisfy our souls forever. Everyth...more
Piper is always a difficult but rewarding read. At great length and often through the use of unnecessary repetition, Piper provides proof positive that God is indeed the gospel. That is, God himself is the reward -- not escaping death, not cheating hell, not even salvation in and of itself. None of the "gifts" of the good news is complete or glorious apart from its design to bring us to and give us God himself. Ultimately the question Piper poses is this: if you could have all th...more
Piper's books have yet to disappoint, and this book was anything but disappointing. Dr. John Piper has illuminated the Scriptures, by God's grace, in a magnificent way, showing simply that God is the gospel. God is the chief end of all things. God saves us, grows us, and blesses us with gifts, all to point toward his infinite glory.
Many Christians today idolize a specific aspect of the gospel, of which I am guilty as well. Some idolize God's love. Others place the highest value on the ...more
Many Christians today idolize a specific aspect of the gospel, of which I am guilty as well. Some idolize God's love. Others place the highest value on the ...more
"The point of this book is that the Christian gospel is not merely that Jesus died and rose again; and not merely that these events appease God's wrath, forgive sin, and justify sinners; and not merely that this redemption gets us out of hell and into heaven; but that they bring us to the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ as our supreme, all-satisfying, and everlasting treasure" (167).
This has probably been one of the most influential books I have read on the gospel....more
This has probably been one of the most influential books I have read on the gospel....more
Finally, I have finished reading God is the Gospel! I really like John Piper's writing, but it seems I can usually only stand it for a few pages at a time. He's just so deep theologically, and it takes me days sometimes to mull over what he is saying. However, two days ago I felt a new determination to FINISH my original 100 Books List before December of this year. So I got through the second half of God is the Gospel in just two days. I'm so happy! It is a huge accomplishment--it feels even big...more
Stevie
rated it
Recommends it for:
Lauren Petrick, Lynda Infante, Jordan Brooks, Tom Weiner
Shelves:
christian
As usual, Piper hit a home run. I honestly prefer his preaching, but his writing is worthwhile also. I was challenged with the idea that God Himself is the ultimate end and ultimate good of the Gospel and nothing else.
Poignant Quotes:
And not one gospel blessing will be enjoyed by anyone for whom the gospel’s greatest gift was not the Lord himself.
When I say that God is the Gospel I mean that the highest, best, final, decisive good of the gospel, without whic...more
Poignant Quotes:
And not one gospel blessing will be enjoyed by anyone for whom the gospel’s greatest gift was not the Lord himself.
When I say that God is the Gospel I mean that the highest, best, final, decisive good of the gospel, without whic...more
I'm glad I read this book because doing so has led to lots of reflection about the meaning of the gospel the centrality of God.
Piper writes the book to address the fallacy that "I love the Gospel because of what God did for me." That is a worthy goal, but his reductionism and hyperbole just aren't convincing. Well, they did convince me (once again) that I am not a Calvinist. The sovereignty of God is a truth that does not suffice as the answer to every question. In fact, it...more
Piper writes the book to address the fallacy that "I love the Gospel because of what God did for me." That is a worthy goal, but his reductionism and hyperbole just aren't convincing. Well, they did convince me (once again) that I am not a Calvinist. The sovereignty of God is a truth that does not suffice as the answer to every question. In fact, it...more
Books like this are scarce. The distinction of God Himself as the gift of the Gospel over against the gifts that God gives is an important distinction. Some might think it splitting hairs but they are wrong. God is the goal and the greatest gift of the Gospel. This vital truth is what is missing from so much popular American theology and prosperity proponents cannot even smell where it crossed the road. I highly recommend this book. It is worth several reads.
Jenkins
added it
I love it. Saturated with truth this book polishes the reality of the gospel. He forces the believer to ask questions about his/her belief. Such as...is God the gift and complete joy of the gospel i responded to? Has it changed my life and completely uprooted what i once walked in? Do I worship the work of God, the gifts of God, heaven or ministry and not Him as the chief end of my worship? Does God satisfy all? This is a much needed message for ME and for the current american church that,...more
The best Piper book I have read. He pounds home the idea that unless God is our ultimate aim then we have built our foundation upon sand. He also does a good job of not throwing our created things. Created things are good as long as we don't stop at them, but climb them up to God. It also adjusted my view on love.
I found it more exegetically dense than some of his other books, which may make it a harder read for some.
I found it more exegetically dense than some of his other books, which may make it a harder read for some.
I quote
"Christ also suffered once for sins,
the righteous for the unrighteous,
that he might bring us to God.
1 P E T E R 3 : 1 8
When I say that God Is the Gospel I mean that the highest, best,
final, decisive good of the gospel, without which no other gifts would
be good, is the glory of God in the face of Christ revealed for our everlasting
enjoyment.
The critical question for our generation—and for every generation—
is this...more
"Christ also suffered once for sins,
the righteous for the unrighteous,
that he might bring us to God.
1 P E T E R 3 : 1 8
When I say that God Is the Gospel I mean that the highest, best,
final, decisive good of the gospel, without which no other gifts would
be good, is the glory of God in the face of Christ revealed for our everlasting
enjoyment.
The critical question for our generation—and for every generation—
is this...more
This book was helpful in the fact that it makes a very important point: that the good news of the gospel is much more than the fact that Jesus died and rose again, that we are forgiven, that we get to go to heaven. The real point behind it all is that those things are all great gifts from God, but the true reason that the gospel is good news is that Jesus' sacrifice allows us the greatest gift which is to know and be with God himself and all His glory.
The problem with this book thoug...more
The problem with this book thoug...more
Wonderful to have read this before Easter where we see most clearly the gift of God himself to his people. Piper spotlights the person of God among the myriad gifts that come from this gift and which can terribly become distractions from God-himself-the-gift. Many thanks to Piper for channeling Jonathan Edwards!
Jonathan
rated it
Recommends it for:
Anyone willing to take the time to understand what Piper is attempting to preach.
God is the Gospel, yes, He is the Gospel. Another very edifying book by Piper; he puts the spotlight back on Christ who is the image of God.
It would have been 5 stars, but Piper's writing style is somewhat chaotic or cryptic at times. Always deeply passionate, which I love, but sometimes this translates (for his writing style) into chaos. But I love his passion for the truth, because Christ is truth.
And though Piper may be difficult to understand at times he is alway...more
It would have been 5 stars, but Piper's writing style is somewhat chaotic or cryptic at times. Always deeply passionate, which I love, but sometimes this translates (for his writing style) into chaos. But I love his passion for the truth, because Christ is truth.
And though Piper may be difficult to understand at times he is alway...more
I just heard Piper call this the most important book he's ever written. It's well worth it - especially if you've already read the 'typical Piper' stuff and want something fresh.
Piper explains what the good message about the good news is: God. This is central to the Gospel, yet surprisingly lacking in our American culture.
A must read in light of our current resurgence of Gospel centeredness. Justification is a significant truth we tend to lack in our works based culture, but the point of the Gospel is not our forgiveness or justification or even merely escaping hell for heaven. The point us to see and savor the glory of God in the face of Christ. If we lose God as the greatest good the Gospel opens the door to, we lose it all. Tremendously helpful book by Piper.
This is a great book and gives a great description of what the gospel is and the central theme of Christianity. Great read!
Perfect book! Helped me understand the Gospel clearly as being the Glory of God in the face of Christ. Thank you John Piper!
We think of the gospel as giving us eternal life, but it gives us something even more precious'God himself.
A very deep book but with much truth and meaning.
Attended the DG regional conference on this topic in 07. Enjoying it in more detail in book form!
A great book!!!
Wonderful.
I definitely enjoyed the general thrust of the book which was a warning to Christians to not take God out of the equation in their faith and world view. That is, heaven without God is not heaven and the gospel without God isn't really good news. The book itself (writing, order topics are addressed) is just ok, but I still reccomend it and feel like my understanding of the Gospel was enriched by reading it
Piper hits hard on a point that any Christian must understand in their faith life. the centrality of God as the gift and purpose of the Gospel is a life giving, hope renewing truth and Piper does well in brining that to the fore. Unfortunately, Piper is a better speaker than a writer and the book accomplishes its goal with little in terms of rhetoric and flourish. this left me, personally, wanting something a little more literarily(?) fulfilling.
Just when you start getting complacent with your knowledge of God and the gospel, this book shakes everything up... So straightforward and laced with Scripture. John Piper is one of my favorite authors. His love for God and care for believers is evident in this book's exhortation to value God alone as the greatest treasure of the gospel.
This is one of those books where it has a great thesis: that God HIMSELF is the Gospel. The Gospel is good news because it brings us to God. But, its also one of those books where it he kind of repeats this same thesis over and over again. It basically could have made a great 10-15 page paper. It did not need to be a 200 page book.
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John Stephen Piper is a Calvinist and Baptist theologian, preacher, and author, currently serving as Pastor for Preaching and Vision of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is the author of numerous books, including ECPA Christian Book Award winners What Jesus Demands from the World, Pierced by the Word, and God's Passion for His Glory, and bestsellers Don't Waste Your Life and T...more
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“Christ did not die to forgive sinners who go on treasuring anything above seeing and savoring God. And people who would be happy in heaven if Christ were not there, will not be there. The gospel is not a way to get people to heaven; it is a way to get people to God. It's a way of overcoming every obstacle to everlasting joy in God. If we don't want God above all things, we have not been converted by the gospel.”
—
63 people liked it
“The critical question for our generation—and for every generation—
is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the
friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and
all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties
you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no
human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with
heaven, if Christ were not there? ”
—
37 people liked it
More quotes…
is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the
friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and
all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties
you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no
human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with
heaven, if Christ were not there? ”
