For the Month of October, 2011, Think is available as a free audio download at www.christianaudio.com.
John Piper is a staple in the libraries of many Christians. In fact, his writings have had a profound impact on the face of evangelicalism in America over the past twenty years. It is not surprising, then, that Piper would write a good book that would impact my faith. As unsurprising as it was to enjoy and be challenged by Think, it has still been a blessing to read.
Piper has written this book because he believes
the main reason God has given us minds is that we might seek out and find all the reasons that exist for treasuring him in all things and above all things. He created the world so that through it and above it we might treasure him.
In light of this belief, Piper argues throughout the book that
loving God with the mind means that our thinking is wholly engaged to do all it can to awaken and express the heartfelt fullness of treasuring God above all things.
In this book, as Piper talks about thinking, he is really talking about reading critically (chapter 3). Why reading? Because it is through the written word that God has chosen to reveal himself. To know God is to know him through his Word. To know God well and to treasure him above all else requires reading God’s word, thinking critically through God’s word, and knowing God’s word. This seems daunting to many, but Piper reminds us that anything worth doing well is difficult.
If you cannot embrace the pain of learning but must have instant gratification, you forfeit the greatest rewards of life. So it is with reading the Bible. The greater riches are for those who will work hard to understand all that is really there.
Much of this work is dependent upon the works of Jonathan Edwards who emphasized both the life of the mind and human affections in Christian faith. Piper contends throughout the entire book that the Christian life is not one of emotions or the mind, but that it should be both intelligent and emotional. We serve a God who has called us to love him supremely with our heart, mind, soul and strength.
Piper, as one would expect, gives great emphasis to biblical exposition in this book. In his emphasis on biblical exposition, Piper neglects to lean on other books that share similar goals such as Scandal of the Evangelical Mind and Fit Bodies Fat Minds (for what its worth, Piper mentions this weakness on page 16).
Additionally, like much of Piper’s work, this is a book very approachable by pastors and laymen. Though it’s approachability certainly lends itself to a wider audience, it also weakens some of the arguments of the book and certainly it’s brevity reduces its impact.
All told, however, this is a great book and worthy of your time.
