Rating: 
Summary: A Landmark Contribution to Mission Literature
Review: "Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church, worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn't." This is the opening line of this book, and it is the foundational premise on which it is written.Piper writes about a God who is worth serving, worth going to the nations for, and who is worth suffering for. There is no greater cause in all the world than the glory of God and Piper eloquently describes how Missions is intimately connected to that cause. Perhaps the most striking point in the book is the idea that God is passionate for his own glory. In fact that God is passionately establishing his glory in the nations. It is not that God is in constant need of affirmation, but that He knows that His glory is the "chief end of man"...and of God. The chapter on Suffering is incredible. Piper's writing is as convicting as it is motivating. The reader is left asking the question "Do I believe in a God like this? Do I serve a God who is worth suffering for?" God has honored his church with the privelege of joining Him in his work in the world. Piper is a man who understands this privilege, and who invites us to join Him as well.
Rating:
Summary: A Landmark Contribution to Mission Literature
Review: "Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church, worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn't." This is the opening line of this book, and it is the foundational premise on which it is written. Piper writes about a God who is worth serving, worth going to the nations for, and who is worth suffering for. There is no greater cause in all the world than the glory of God and Piper eloquently describes how Missions is intimately connected to that cause. Perhaps the most striking point in the book is the idea that God is passionate for his own glory. In fact that God is passionately establishing his glory in the nations. It is not that God is in constant need of affirmation, but that He knows that His glory is the "chief end of man"...and of God. The chapter on Suffering is incredible. Piper's writing is as convicting as it is motivating. The reader is left asking the question "Do I believe in a God like this? Do I serve a God who is worth suffering for?" God has honored his church with the privelege of joining Him in his work in the world. Piper is a man who understands this privilege, and who invites us to join Him as well.
Rating:
Summary: God-Centered Missions with a Godward Motive
Review: As an academician, theologian, and pastor, John Piper is uniquely equipped to address the themes he discusses. With wisdom, zeal, and scholarly acumen, Piper pleads with his readers to do biblical missions from a motive of delight in God's passion for His own glory. The book has both strengths and weaknesses, though in my judgment the former outweigh the latter.
STRENGTHS
Piper's book has a number of strengths. Among other things, it is scholarly, theological, sermonic, and practical. While reading this volume, it was obvious to me that a great deal of scholarly sweat went into its creation. The various sections include carefully woven arguments based on Scripture and deductive reasoning. Many portions of the book contain a number of fairly thorough word studies of relevant biblical terms in the original languages. One important example of this is his explanation of the Greek and Hebrew words for "nation." Piper debunks the now fading notion that the term refers to political boundaries, explaining that it means "people group" or "clan." He pays careful attention to biblical grammar, syntax, and context in his discussions, setting a good example of careful scholarship. I am grateful that this semi-academic work has found its way into the hands of so many laypeople. Perhaps it will challenge the Church to think carefully and intentionally on exactly what the Bible says about missions.
The book is not only scholarly. It is also intensely and densely theological. On almost every page, Piper consistently sounds the ultimate theme of Scripture. God's chief end is to glorify Himself and to enjoy Himself forever. Piper charges his readers to pursue God's glory along with God by doing missions with this "Godward" motive. He does not shrink from declaring God's sovereignty over all creation and uncompromisingly proclaims the biblical truth that God will save those whom He chose to save from eternity. Piper is right that the doctrine of unconditional election is the missionary's great hope. Missions cannot fail because election cannot fail. But, with appropriate balance Piper also forcefully asserts the responsibility of human beings. As Christians, we are responsible to go, give, tell, pray, and live with a "wartime" ethic to advance the kingdom of Christ.
If, as Lloyd-Jones says, a sermon is "theology on fire," then Piper's book is certainly a sermon. Frequently and in the midst of fairly thoughtful discussion, Piper breaks out into "preaching," exhorting his readers to heed the imperatives of Scripture. As I was reading the book and as God's truth impacted my soul, I noticed on more than one occasion that my palms were sweating and my heart was pounding. Piper is an excellent communicator and his book is filled with short, pithy, and sometimes shocking statements that are meant to convey rich theological truth.
Let The Nations Be Glad is immensely practical. Piper never "soft-peddles" the truth; rather, he extends a courageous and passionate plea to the Church to do what God's Word tells us to do in regard to missions. He urges us to pray with fervency, linking prayer to the glory of God, and showing that by praying, Christians magnify God's greatness and ability to answer prayer. He rebukes the American idol of "retirement" and presses us to abandon it and to use our extra time and money for missions. Piper implores his readers not to fall captive to the western ideals of ease, peace, and comfort. This is no time for spiritual sluggishness and lethargy, but for intensity, fervency, and action. God's glory and human happiness are at stake.
WEAKNESSES
It is hard to find weaknesses in a book as helpful as this one. However, I think two deserve some attention. The book lacks a Christ-centered perspective on justification and patience. First, Piper does not emphasize justification. Throughout its pages, Piper's volume defends the exclusivity of Christ, exalts His kingship and glory, but it never links the doctrine of justification by Christ and missions. Piper shows that the cross enables sanctification through suffering for Christ in missions, but what about the power of the cross to justify? Does not justification (forgiveness and the righteousness of Christ) have a role in motivating the missionary endeavor? Is not justification the theological and practical ground of sanctification (suffering, pursuing God's glory, delighting in the pleasures at God's right hand)? How are Christians to deal with their lack of missionary desire and be encouraged to press on in missions? I believe the answer to that question is partly found in the doctrine of justification. The Bible says, "the love of Christ constrains us" (2 Cor 5:14). Scripture is clear that those who are forgiven much, love much, and therefore obey much (Lk 7:47; John 14:15). Those who are gripped by the love of God in the cross of Christ will want to obey Him in missions. I think Piper's book would have been stronger had the glory of God in justification received more attention.
The second weakness is difficult to communicate. Piper seems to have little patience for the weak and the broken. He addresses their weakness by entreating them to be strong, and to be captivated by God's glory, and he is right to do so. But I think more is needed. What about those who come away from his book feeling crushed and depressed by their lack of love for God and the lost? They need to hear that God accepts them because of Christ's righteousness, not their own. It is true that American Christianity seldom struggles with this, but an imbalance is not corrected with another imbalance. The love and patience of Christ in the gospel propels us to obey the law, and had Piper presented this full perspective, I think the book would have been stronger.
Rating:
Summary: Why were we created?
Review: Early in my walk with Jesus I went through a lot of phases concerning the ultimate reason for my existence and His love for me. This book has helped me to understand that ultimately the reason for everything -- myself included -- is to bring glory and honor to Him. In short, I was created to worship Him. And He deserves it! You were created to worship Him, too -- yes, you too, Boris. When everything we do begins to flow out of our worship and our earnest desire to see Him glorified, missions comes naturally. If you take the gospel to the nations because you love the lost and want to see them saved, God will honor your work -- but you will probably burn out. After all, you are only human. This book helped me to understand that His glory is a motivating force that prevents burnout. In the end, and in the beginning, and in between -- it's all about Him.
Rating:
Summary: Life changing. It will change your perspective on missions.
Review: God used this book, to change my perspective on missions. Missions is not the cheif end of man, The worship and glory of God is the cheif end of man. We live like we're adding people to our list, when really God is using us as his tools, to gather the nations together.
Rating:
Summary: Let The Nations FREAK OUT for God!
Review: Great book on God's supremecy in world missions! The book captures a glimpse of the greatness of God and His heart for the world! "Missions exist because worship doesn't." John Piper is and will always be one of my favorite speaker/teachers and his books provide spiritual meat for your daily diet! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS, regardless if you are a missionary to the Dani people of Papua New Guinea or to your cubicle/school/wherever. REGARDLESS OF WHO YOU ARE, READ THIS! Be challenged and be encouraged! I also recommend with this John Piper's "Don't Waste Your Life".
Rating:
Summary: Let The Nations FREAK OUT for God!
Review: Great book on God's supremecy in world missions! The book captures a glimpse of the greatness of God and His heart for the world! "Missions exist because worship doesn't." John Piper is and will always be one of my favorite speaker/teachers and his books provide spiritual meat for your daily diet! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS, regardless if you are a missionary to the Dani people of Papua New Guinea or to your cubicle/school/wherever. REGARDLESS OF WHO YOU ARE, READ THIS! Be challenged and be encouraged! I also recommend with this John Piper's "Don't Waste Your Life".
Rating:
Summary: *WOW*
Review: I am in awe of how much God has blessed me because of this book. It is a VERY heavy book to read...one readon that it's taken me almost a year to read. This summer I went to Romania on a mission trip and I read the book after I got home. I had such a drive to minister that this was definately the right book for me to read at that time. =) I have learned SO much from Mr. Piper and pray that all of you will be blessed because of him. May God bless you as you press on towards the goal God has for your life. In Christ, ~ Kimberly
Rating:
Summary: *WOW*
Review: I am in awe of how much God has blessed me because of this book. It is a VERY heavy book to read...one readon that it's taken me almost a year to read. This summer I went to Romania on a mission trip and I read the book after I got home. I had such a drive to minister that this was definately the right book for me to read at that time. =) I have learned SO much from Mr. Piper and pray that all of you will be blessed because of him. May God bless you as you press on towards the goal God has for your life. In Christ, ~ Kimberly
Rating:
Summary: Functional Missions.
Review: I definately agree on the excellence of this book. Piper is obviously a man after God's heart, and listens when His father speaks. Piper gives a rather untraditional, yet much needed view of "missions." The idea that missions is for the glory of God, and NOT because the missionary has a love for a certain people or country, makes this view functional. It is a blatant and biblical answer to the high degree of missionary attrition as seen in today's sending organizations. Following this model, and heeding to the other exhortations regarding prayer and suffering set forth in this book will allow worship to resound and God to be glorified. It is a must read!
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