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Desiring God - The Way of Christian Hedonism

category files Posted: 09/Apr/2008AD @ 17:44
category files Categories: Foundation Web

I first heard of John Piper through a beach mission leader who spoke of Piper as an influence on his theological outlook. I learned from this guy that Piper was all about God’s glory, “Our joy is God’s glory” was this leader’s cry. Later I learned Piper had a ministry called Desiring God.

I hadn’t had cause to think about Piper until I received an MP3 player for Christmas. My desire for an MP3 player was mainly to listen to radio programmes. But God lead me to search out sermons from many sources, beginning at the Sydney Anglicans website. One series I found was the 1983 series at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis where John Piper set out his ‘theology’ of Christian Hedonism. The talks are listed below. I use theology advisedly as the talks do not constitute a systematic theology, but rather a movement through various parts of the Christian life, e.g. Conversion, Worship, Marriage. In fact it’s more of a Just for Starters, showing how Christian Hedonism is a coordinating principle for the Christian life. Simply put Christian Hedonism is a spin on the Westminster Catechism. Piper says that the chief end of man is…

To glorify God by enjoying Him forever.

I found the talks challenging, encouraging and stimulating to much reflection. I don’t think I agree with Piper everywhere but do so generally. They are very useful when thinking about guidance and life goal issues. You are led to ask the uncommon question “How much do I enjoy God?”

Here are the talks:

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