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Summary: "15 Implications" or "15 Indictments"?
Review: Everyone needs to read this and take a hard look at the "15 Implications" that he lists in chapter one. If Piper (and Edwards)is right, and I believe he is, then these "15 Implications" are really "15 Indictments" against the church today.I appreciated Piper's help in Edwards' portion of this book. The footnotes and section headings are extremely helpful in following the flow. I have read other works by Edwards and they can be difficult to follow, but Piper helps the reader to follow the outline and flow of thought given by the 18th-century author. I say "thanks" to Mr. Piper for this helpful and challenging book.
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Summary: Edwards like you've never seen him...
Review: I ordered this book blind, not knowing what to expect. Like Piper, I must admit that until reading this book, I have thought of Jonathan Edwards as the "Sinners in the hands of an angry God" fellow. And the only mental picture that entered my mind when you heard his name was that of a spider hanging over a fire... And then I opened this book, and all of that changed. I have been challenged so much by Edward's thoughts (and of course, the commentary by Piper as well). What a life to put aside all of the frustrations and desires of this world, and to be totally consumed by living in God's Glory. It truly is an uplifting book. It will surely change what you think of Edwards, but more importantly, it will challenge you to live out God's glory in your own life. Incredible.
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Summary: Worth the Effort
Review: I won't repeat the sentiments of the great reviews on this site, though I agree with them completely. I will say, however, that I am a fan of Piper and I am very pleased that there is a man bold enough to make a case for the great works of Edwards in a sub-culture fraught with mindless emotionalism. Had it not been for this book I wouldn't have known the vast, rich thoughts of Jonathan Edwards and the beautiful revelations of his soul. What an amazing thinker and a passionate lover of God! I would encourage any interested reader to pursue other works by Edwards (http://www.jonathanedwards.com). You won't be disappointed.
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Summary: The Goal of God: Glory through our Gladness!
Review: If you are wondering where the foundation of John Piper's God-centered theology may be found, this book is a good starting point. In it, Piper reintroduces a theological masterpiece that is almost three hundred years old - "The End for which God Created the World" by the New England Puritan pastor, Jonathan Edwards. Piper's own book-length introduction describes the impact Jonathan Edwards has had on his own life, suggests the relevance that this book will have to our own culture, and provides a brief, but helpful sketch of Jonathan Edwards' life. The work by Edwards is then carefully broken down into numbered paragraphs and is accompanied by Piper's helpful footnotes. Edwards' thesis is simple - God's ultimate aim in everything He does is to uphold and display the glory of His name for the joy of His people. This thesis is worked out with iron-clad logic (be prepared to think!) and meditation on dozens of Biblical passages. If yours is the prayer of Moses - "show me Thy glory" - then this is the book for you.
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Summary: Successfully Passes Edwards' Torch
Review: In the preface to this work, John Piper describes himself as a "secondary teacher," that is, one who passes on the teachings of another. In this case, the "primary teacher" is Jonathan Edwards. And, as is the case with everything Piper writes, the subject receives superb treatment. The first part of this work, written entirely by Piper, contains a stinging rebuke of the modern evangelical church, which gives the rationale for re-publishing Edwards' treatise. This serves as a primer for the reader, who anticipates that the material unfolded by Edwards will be a stark contrast and an antidote to the prevailing condition of our day. Piper then provides helpful biographical information on Edwards, followed by a very interesting chapter relating his own personal pilgrimage through the deep oceans of Edwards' God-exalting theology and experience. The final chapter of Part One is a call for the transformation of modern culture through the vision expounded by Edwards. Part Two is the complete text of _The End for Which God Created the World_, which is the most profound treatise on the most profound subject that I have ever encountered. What subject could be more ultimate, or more important, than an investigation into God's purpose for creation? In this treatise we find God's design in creating the cosmos, governing the universe, and redeeming the world from sin through the work of His Son. In these pages we find the very reason for which we exist; we are given direction, purpose, and orientation. No subject could be more profound, yet so practical. Edwards' means of unpacking his thesis, that God's ultimate regard in creation is with respect to the glory of His name, are twofold: philosophical and scriptural. The first section of the treatise is the most difficult. In it Edwards investigates what human reason discovers in regard to the matter of the ultimate end of creation. All the while, however, he makes his opinion known that God's revelation in Scripture is the ultimate authority on the matter. The second section, therefore, is given to proving from Scripture God's purpose in creation. This section could be read in isolation for those who are not fond of philosophical musings. It is the most convincing and most important section of the treatise. In addition, Piper's arrangement of the text and footnotes offer a wonderful supplement to the treatise. His insights were very helpful in my understanding of Edwards' difficult language. Overall, this book played a major role in re-shaping my worldview in a more thoroughly God-centered light, and it has been a great starting place in my own study of Edwards. Piper's own mission statement, "We exist to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples," sounded forth over two-hundred years ago from the pulpit and pen of at least one Congregational minister.
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Summary: Must reading for all serious Christians
Review: In this book John Piper reprints Edwards' classic, The End for Which God Created the World. The first four chapters include the insightful commentary about Edwards' work along with Piper's own reasoning for reprinting the work in the climate of today's theologically shallow church. Edwards' work is difficult reading, but his reason and biblical arguments are irrefutable as he explains that God's glory is the ultimate purpose and chief end of everything that exists.
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Summary: Like explaining the rocky mountains to a red neck.
Review: Piper laments that in this day and age, so few Christians commit to studying "hard" books. Edwards, known as one of the greatest theological and philosophical minds in American history, puts forth a glorious analysis of God's purposes in creating, redeeming, and glorifying his elect in this "hard" book. It requires concentration, an open mind to the things of God, and a willingness to set aside preconceived "boxed" notions of the gospel. This book completely re-designed my view of the gospel and my views of God. Piper and Edwards "team up" to provide a challenging, searing, and straightforward view of God that few Christians today would agree with. I found it unsettling and comforting at the same time.
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Summary: Majestic and Breathtaking
Review: The End for Which God Created the World represents the core of Jonathan Edwards's thought. Edwards's thesis is this: God designed everything to revel in his glory, and he desires for us to take joy in his magnificence. What's more, those who enjoy God will enjoy him with ever-increasing joy for all eternity. Isn't that a breathtaking thesis? Edwards marshalls huge amounts of scriptural evidence to support his claim, and, as always, he brilliantly answers philosophical objections against what the scriptures reveal about the matter. His writing throughout is penetrating, perceptive, persuasive, and deeply worshipful. I think John Piper's goals in his contribution to this work were to whet the reader's appetite for the feast of The End for Which God Created the World and to make the work more accessible to the average reader. He succeeds in both respects. After reading Dr. Piper's introduction I was eager to plow forward, and, while reading The End . . ., I found Dr. Piper's explanatory footnotes helpful. The End for Which God Created the World is a majestic work, and I am grateful that John Piper took the time to re-introduce it to the general public. May God use this humble offering from Jonathan Edwards's pen to help our tragically parched world find the living water flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb!
Rating:
Summary: Majestic and Breathtaking
Review: The End for Which God Created the World represents the core of Jonathan Edwards's thought. Edwards's thesis is this: God designed everything to revel in his glory, and he desires for us to take joy in his magnificence. What's more, those who enjoy God will enjoy him with ever-increasing joy for all eternity. Isn't that a breathtaking thesis? Edwards marshalls huge amounts of scriptural evidence to support his claim, and, as always, he brilliantly answers philosophical objections against what the scriptures reveal about the matter. His writing throughout is penetrating, perceptive, persuasive, and deeply worshipful. I think John Piper's goals in his contribution to this work were to whet the reader's appetite for the feast of The End for Which God Created the World and to make the work more accessible to the average reader. He succeeds in both respects. After reading Dr. Piper's introduction I was eager to plow forward, and, while reading The End . . ., I found Dr. Piper's explanatory footnotes helpful. The End for Which God Created the World is a majestic work, and I am grateful that John Piper took the time to re-introduce it to the general public. May God use this humble offering from Jonathan Edwards's pen to help our tragically parched world find the living water flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb!
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Summary: Recovers some much needed-- lost concepts.
Review: This book recovers a much needed perspective for the evangelical church-- the importance of theology (what we believe about God) and intimacy (how well we know God). Too often, we get caught in the middle, in methodology (how we do things). Most books, most conferences, etc., deal with "how" instead of the other, more pertinent issues, which Piper relays from Edwards in this book. (I see this most often in the "church growth" movement-- where pastors all get together, go to conferences, and seek to copy what's working in some other place in the country, rather than struggling to know God in the present.) J.Edwards was one who, according to Piper, was steeped in both theology and piety-- both, without neglect the other. Theology without intimacy leads to cold, dry orthodoxy. Yet, intimacy without theology often has no moorings... no depth... The book is challenging... and will stretch you to move beyond simply copying the methods of others (whether you're a church leader or whatever) and get back to the God you know and relating to that God as you seek to know Him and make His glory known.
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