Desiring God

I am not sure if you guys knew, but the book Desiring God was released online in its entirety. Thanks Steve for letting me know. You can find it at www.desiringgod.org

I have always wanted to read it but was too cheap to buy it. I started reading the book, and had to stop after Chapter 1. It got pretty heavy right away.

The author (John Piper) is making his case for what he calls Christian Hedonism. The philosophy is based in part on the Westminster Shorter Chatechism statement that says that "The chief goal of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever". Piper basically says that we inately seek pleasure, but that this is a good thing in the way that we can choose to find our ultimate joy in God through glorifying Him. We can also choose self indulgence, but that does not lead to the true joy that God has made available to us. We find complete love and joy ONLY through glorifying God.

Fair enough right?

Now, he goes on to speak about how God's chief goal is to glorify Himself and to enjoy Himself forever (sligh word manipulation of the chatechism). at first listen, you can put on your christian filters and say amen. but think about that for a second and realize that in order for that to be true, He must see Himself in the same way that we see Him, as the ultimate being worthy of praise. In addition to that, He commands our praise.

Piper asks the question of whether or not that command of our praise is for Him or for us? The interesting thing is that it is both. He cannot believe another to be worthy of praise, that would be denying who He is and blasphemous. Therefore the praise is rightly due. But at the same time, we find our true joy in that same praise. Therefore, for God to command us to glorify Him and for us to do that comes together in our completion...Interesting...

Later he talks about the paradox of good and evil, and God's sovereignty. Can evil frustrate the plans of God? Does God allow evil to accomplish His plans? If so, is God responsible for the evil? That's a whole other blog man...

It's very difficult to encompass my thoughts into this blog. I have so much more in my mind right now. Let's talk later...