Fallen and Flawed

I’ve maybe read 4 or 5 of his books completely and several about halfway. BUT I truly love his stuff. I often download his sermons. I find him easier to understand via audio. Along with Mahaney he is one of the writers that has changed what I read and why I read it. I highly recommend “When I Don’t Desire God”. I’ve read it twice and often revisit my highlights and notes. Good for any struggling Christian. And let’s face it…how many Christians do you know that are struggle free? I can’t think of one.

Erica: Indeed, I appreciate Piper’s authenticity about the struggles Christians go through. Good stuff. Thanks for your comment.

In this age of “feel-good churching”, “What Jesus Demands from the World” is a must read… in my opinion.

As to how many of Piper’s books I’ve read… I’ve lost count. Somewhere around 10 I think.

Ten…I’m catching up…

I’ve not read any of his books yet, but check his blog daily. I also watch him on occaision, and wish I were a good charicature (sp?) artist, I would so draw a version of him. He looks cartoony to me, in a good way of course… just my random thought for the day.

That’s funny, j shelton, I’ve often thought the same things myself.

So have I! I’ve wanted to do a caricature of him for more than a year. When he’s really fired up about something his eyes light up and become huge, and his facial expressions become exaggerated. You can almost tell what he’s saying even if you’re not skilled in lip-reading!

As for Piper’s writing, it’s like a literary “gateway drug” to stellars like Spurgeon and Edwards. You can definitely see their influence in Piper’s work. I love how he can write so plainly and with raw emotion, and still express himself so poetically. His work is so pithy and meaningful, many times I have to put his work down for a moment and just digest what he’s written.

Had to smile when I read this blog post, Demian. Your blog and John Piper’s are the only two I subscribe to by email. Also resonate with Denita about the “gateway drug” thing (and everything else).

I can second the vote for “When I Don’t Desire God”, which was the first Piper’s book I read and it profited me greatly.

A good friend of mine gave me a copy of “Desiring God.” That was about a year ago. I still have not read it.

He keeps telling me how great it is.

Like Adam, “When I Don’t Desire God” was the first Piper book I read. It got me hooked. It’s a must-read because, as its subtitle suggests, it explains how to fight for joy.

I first came across Piper via Passion 2005. He blew my mind the first morning. The next morning, he blew it up again. I came there as a dead man walking and left, by the power of the Spirit, alive to God. I love John Piper because it was through his preaching that Jesus opened my eyes.

With that said, God is the Gospel is probably my favorite. All the other ones listed are great as well, but having a full, God-Centered understanding of the gospel changed my life.

I’ve only read Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ. But I check his blog at DesiringGod.com every so often.

JC: What a great story. I love your humility and willingness to share. Thank you.

Canadace: I must second your motion to second Denita’s notion of Piper as a “gateway drug.” Never, ever thought of it that way…but spot on.

Denita, will you make me a promise to never stop commenting here? I’m sure I speak for everyone else here.

Wow, Demian, that is so sweet! What can I say? I love your site, I love how God has worked through you in such a mighty way, and you are one of the most mature Christian brothers my husband and I have ever met. Why would I leave? It would be like cutting off my right hand.

About the only way you could chase me off is if you decided Jason Westerfield was your spiritual guru. No, come to think of it, you wouldn’t chase me off even then. All you’d do is just provoke me to evangelize the True Gospel to you…

I’m a Piper fan, to be sure. But I think if you’ve read those four books, you’ve heard all he has to say at least three or four times. Every book I’ve read by Piper could’ve been condensed into a chapter. He is incessantly redundant, regardless of how much I agree with his points. And that bothers me: reading time is too precious.

I first noticed this vice in college when I read my first Piper book, “Don’t Waste Your Life,” for a class. I could’ve read the first and last chapters and gotten all of the useful content. I was annoyed. My teacher agreed.

I appreciate your honesty R. T. and have to say that I think I know where you’re coming from, but to read Finally Alive, for example, is an exercise in driving a point home but from many, cunning and unexpected angles. He may not be innovative, but he’s definitely not useless.

Appreciate your thoughts and happy new year!

I find it easier to read him than to listen. i’ve read probably not more than five, ofcourse you’ve got to start with Desiring God:) but i liked Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ. I go to it often.

Have a blessed new yr to you and your family Demian.

I’m hooked on the whole “SWans Are Not Silent” series. All are biographies of saints such as Newton, Simeon, Wilberforce, Luther, etc. It is always encouraging to see how God has radically used these men. That, in spite of wrestling with issues such as depression and sickness. I truly consider Piper to be my other pastor.

Happy New Year Demian and all!

I’m the same way, Martin: Piper is my “other” pastor. I’ve not read anything from that series…look forward to maybe getting into them.

[...] How to read John Piper [...]

What I love about Piper is he is able to stir something in your head that goes down to your heart that is, he is effective in bringing the glory of God as the center explaining what His glory looks like and what it tastes like.

Take “Is Jesus an Egomaniac?” at Passion 2010 for example. “Self-forgetfulness in the presence of greatness is the capstone of joy!”. That was really helpful.