God Is the Gospel: Meditations on God's Love as the Gift of Himself

I should start by saying that I find John Piper best live or on video. There's something about seeing him, animated and moving, that makes him both (1) easier to understand, and (2) more enjoyable. In fact, full disclosure, I find that he can be a bit repetitive for my tastes in print. Then again, he's unpacking these massive, earth-shattering, mind-altering truths that bear repeating, so it's hard to blame his style or repetition.All that out of the way, "God is the Gospel" is a fantastic book. I'd say it might best be suited as an early read or even an introduction to Piper. He lays out much of his basic theology, and you can then move to "Desiring God" or "The Pleasures of God" easily, two of Piper's real masterworks. "God is the Gospel" is shorter (about 175) pages and about half of the chapters are easy to get through.The other half of the chapters, though, are meaty and worth serious meditation and contemplation. Piper's basic thesis is that the gospel is not in fact just the means by which we are saved from hell, saved to heaven, gain eternal life, gain the Holy Spirit, etc. Rather, the gospel is the good news by which we may spend eternity getting God--spending time with Him, enjoying Him, worshiping Him, engaging with Him, being like Him, etc. This might seem pedestrian, until you think on it carefully. Even Protestant, conservative Evangelicalism rarely teaches this, and certainly not so plainly.The church today is largely about the benefits of the gospel: all the things you get with a so-called profession of faith. How do we talk to children about God? Avoid hell; get to heaven. But this is not the gospel, Piper argues from Scripture; rather, the gospel is getting to God. God is the gospel.You'll have to think to digest this, and if you can read this entire book without ever being challenged, then I'd daresay you've not read it well. Wonderful, well-documented with Scripture and quotations from giants like Edwards, Owen, and Warfield, and passionate; you won't regret this read.Savor God and enjoy Him: this is Piper's message.

I started the book. It has some good things, but I quickly lost interest because it is not easy reading. Hoping to try again soon.

Years ago, I read A.W. Tozer’s “The Pursuit of God”. I had heard much about it, but I was disappointed. Later, I came back to it, and it was like I was reading a different book. It was electrifying. Evidently, I wasn’t ready for it the first time. I have sometimes felt that way reading John Piper. Some of it is over my head, and leaves me feeling dazed. Having said that, he has been a trustworthy guide leading me closer to the greatest splendor, God Himself. Every Piper book I’ve ever read has been richly rewarding and “God is the Gospel” is no exception. Here are a few of my favorite gems from this book. “We are willing to be God-centered, it seems, as long as God is man-centered.” “The gospel is the good news of our final and full enjoyment of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” “Tell the old, old story and pray for the Spirit.” “Beholding is becoming.” “We absorb what we admire.” In addition, I enjoyed the quotes from Jonathan Edwards and John Owen, as well as the example of counseling a teenager about pornography and the explanation of why God created bread. Thought-provoking. Life-changing. Electrifying.

I bought and read this book on the recommendation of another whose opinion I respect. I mention this because while I am not a Piper detractor, I am not a Piper fan for a range of reasons, so not only would I not have bought this book on my own, but even with a valued recommendation I still approached the book a bit skeptically. I was completely wrong -- it is an amazingly warming, motivating, broadening discussion of God's initiating love for his creation and reading it is to experience worship. There were times in the reading when I just stopped for a moment -- it was too much to absorb, to digest, to appreciate, to say thanks for. The book weaves large amounts of scripture with commentary to convey its message. It combines the insights of a commentary with the orientation of a devotional book and is suitable for anyone from early teens onward.

We were created with the main idea to glorify God. This, says John Piper, is the gospel that, in American Christianity, seems to become almost a foreign concept. He writes this in the introduction: "When I say that God is the Gospel I mean that the highest, best, final, decisive good of the gospel, without which no other gifts would be good, is the glory of God in the face of Christ revealed for our everlasting enjoyment." The three parts to this, he says, are 1) the gift was purchased by the blood of Jesus; 2) it was free and not earned; and 3) "the gift must be God himself, above all his other gifts." This gift is Jesus Himself. I like the way Piper used the Word to bring home his point, the point that is the "old old story" of God and His love for us. Oh, pity on us if we forget that this--not self-actualization, prosperity, and other 21st century hang-ups that have made their way into the church--is the true Good News of God! Read this book slowly with a highligher to get full benefit out of the book's wisdom; your soul will be glad you did.

--- This book declares the truth of the Gospel - it's not just "fire insurance" from hell --- we receive God Himself, and get to be in Him for eternity ! I think this book, plus Tozer's "the pursuit of God" , should be required reading for all Christians; both have transformed my faith and relationship with God

I read a lot of books, but this one has remained in my top three ever since I read it 7 years ago. I have now bought 3 copies for others, too. What glorious grace God has shown us in Christ. The beauty of the Gospel truly is the gift of relationship with God himself.

No complaints here. Book arrived earlier than expected. The condition was exactly as advertised. Good service well pleased.

This book was a paradigm changer for me when I read it some years ago. I would place this book in the hands of every Christian if I could.

This was the second time I'd read this book, this time as a part of a small group book study. It is a book that unflinchingly nails a blessings-based North American Christianity right between the eyes! The question it asks again and again is do we truly want God or do we simply want His salvation blessings of peace and forgiveness? But what has made it such a compelling book to me is the way John Piper exalts Jesus Christ as the only One who can truly satisfy our deepest longings. It's a book that leaves you hungry for Jesus!

Wer Jesus Christus besser kennen lernen will, wer mehr Gemeinschaft mit dem Schöpfer sucht, der wird hier fündig. Piper beschreibt die Beziehung des Menschen zu Gott aus einer Perspektive, die ich so noch nicht kannte. Ich bin enorm ermutigt, Gottes Nähe mehr zu suchen. Meine Beziehung zu IHM hat eine viel bessere Qualität bekommen.Danke John Piper, für diese Einsicht!Hoffentlich wird das Buch bald auf Deutsch übersetzt.