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Supremacy of God In Preaching

Discussion in 'Books & Publications Forum' started by NateT, Aug 19, 2003.

  1. NateT

    NateT Member

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    Just wondering if any of you have read Piper's book titled "The Supremacy of God in Preaching"? If so what did you think?
     
  2. Gina B

    Gina B Active Member

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    Yes, it's sitting right beside me, but do you really want a girl's opinion on such a subject? [​IMG] In case you do...
    For the most part I love it. I do not quite agree on pages 90-92. I've seen enough people make commitments born out of fear of hell rather than love of Jesus far too many times to agree with the statement "you can't scare someone into heaven". Well, I agree, but not in the way he means it! You CAN'T scare them into heaven! You can scare them into saying they believe in Jesus and will behave, but usually that's not a real belief in Jesus, and the positive change in behavior is done out of fear, not love, and that's not how it works. But...they'll think they're saved because they made that prayer. Hopefully one day they'll realize the truth, sometimes they do and sometimes they just don't and give up because attempting to live a Christian life without true faith is frustrating! It's sad to see.
    Gina
     
  3. Molly

    Molly New Member

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    I have not read it,nor has my husband...but,we have quite a few of his books and they are pretty solid. We like him a lot.

    Molly
     
  4. NateT

    NateT Member

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    I'll take a "girl's opinion" as long as its not from the pulpit [​IMG]

    Actually, I really enjoyed it. I flew through it.

    The most interesting thing I noted was when he talked about seriousness. That not one joke appears in Edwards' sermons says a lot.

    I've mentioned it to a person or two and they said it was a "cultural thing" that there were no jokes. But as I thought about it, I don't think it is. If you look at what people will remember from pastors who string together jokes or stories, they'll remember the humorous stories but not the point. And they definitely won't remember the Bible verse.

    The other thing I found interesting was Piper talking aobut "quote the scripture" all the time. Later that day I read a sermon from Charles spurgeon, it was on one verse that said "Look ye unto me." I can't tell you how many times he said that part of the verse. And how often I hear pulpit supply preachers (myself included) not mention the verse half as many times.

    I would say that anyone who hasn't read it should.
     
  5. swaimj

    swaimj <img src=/swaimj.gif>

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    I'm reading a biography of Edwards and it seems that his air of seriousness and lack of humor in the pulpit may have been a weakness, not a strength. He seemed to have a sense of humor in his everyday life and was dearly loved by his sisters, wife, and children. Perhaps if he had been more "natural" in the pulpit he might not have had the difficulties in getting along with people that he had. I was puzzled when I read Piper's book as to why he took a weakness of Edwards (who was a great man, godly man, great theologian, etc) and set it up as an example. Overall, I enjoyed Piper's book.
     
  6. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    It is said that when Jonathan Edwards was preaching his famous 'Sinner's in the Hands of an Angry God' that people actually fainted from fear.......

    Diane
     
  7. Gina B

    Gina B Active Member

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    His presentation was different though than the one Piper seems to be describing. In his most noted sermon I felt fear as he painted his description of hell, but it was not fear of hell. The way he described it led you to feel a holy fear because in that description you didn't realize how horrid hell might be, but who you were in relation/comparison to God.
    Gina
     
  8. micahaaron

    micahaaron New Member

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    Hello,
    Are we talking only about Piper's preaching book or can we share about other Piper books in this post?
    I like his Supremacy of God in Missions and Seeing and Savoring Jesus.

    MA
     
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