Desiring God
In Desiring God, John Piper presents meditations of a Christian hedonist. This book is Piper’s landmark work on Christian hedonism—the belief that human life should be a pursuit of godly pleasure, and that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. I find it good, beautiful, and true.
Desiring God was first published in 1986, and I first read it when I was in college. At the time, it felt like a theoretical book. I would go on to follow Piper’s ministry online, where he continued to teach Christian hedonism. Reading this book now feels familiar, as many of the truths first introduced here have become deeply applied and loved in my life.
God’s Goal is His Glory
The book begins by explaining that God is absolutely sovereign—He does as He pleases, and what pleases Him is to be happy in Himself. God’s goal is His glory, and this is the heart of the gospel. Piper goes on to show that conversion is not merely believing, but receiving—and ultimately, treasuring—Christ. This, he argues, is what it truly means to worship.
Piper explains that we are to pursue joy in ministry and in loving others; that the fuel for happiness in God is feeding on His Word; and that prayer must be a priority because it unites God’s glory with our joy.
Joy, Love, and Delight
Christian hedonism is then applied to money, marriage, and missions—but what moved me most was how it strengthens our suffering. When I first read this book, Piper’s claims had not yet been tested in my life. Older now, these truths carry more weight. Piper teaches that we can rejoice in persecution because our reward is great, rejoice in affliction because it deepens assurance, rejoice in suffering with Christ because it leads to glory, and rejoice in suffering for others because they see Christ in us.
The new Crossway edition—housed in a printed caseside and released nearly 40 years after the original publication—is a beautiful legacy edition. Piper is sharp and precise in this paradigm-shifting book. It will change how you see the world and your relationship with God. You’ll come to see that joy, love, and delight are everywhere in the Bible. And like me, you’ll be gladly compelled to become a Christian hedonist.
I received a media copy of Desiring God (Amazon, WTS 5% off with code DIVEINDIGDEEP) and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.