O.K., so Abraham Piper over at the desiringGod.org blog encouraged bloggers to write about which Piper books they recommended in light of tomorrow and Thursday’s big sale. What, you didn’t read about it in the “Short Caps” section? You need to pay more attention.
So, here’s my list:
Essential Piper
Actually, my first Piper book was The Supremacy of God in Preaching. I try to read this once every year. I list it first because, whether pastor or pew sitter, this book is a short but strong punch for lighting your heart on fire for the glory of God..
Desiring God, without question is the essential book among all of them at desiringGod.org. All Piper books appear to be an application of this foundational one. This was the second Piper book I read. I have read it three or four times since. The last chapter of suffering is magisterial.
Let the Nations Be Glad. What does missions exist? Because worship doesn’t. Enough said, GET THIS BOOK.
Future Grace was actually my fourth Piper book. I am currently reading through it with a men’s group every other Thursday evening. How does Desiring God apply to daily living and overcoming sin – this one is essential.
Don’t Waste Your Life. What a book, if for nothing more than the “shells” quote, this book will cause you to wonder why you are sitting where you are reading silly blogs like this rather than pouring your life out on the mission field. My wife and I invested in a few cases of these to hand out to our Sunday School class, family members and friends who came to stay with us.
Poetic Piper
I’m not sure that this one will be on sale, because it includes an audio CD. If not, buy it anyhoo: The Misery of Job and the Mercy of God. I’m not really into poetry. But Kelly and I have listened to this so many times, I’m not sure it will play any longer in our player. This should be under Essential Piper, but it is poetic and is such a different take than most of what he writes. There are other poems he has published in book form, but don’t buy any of the others until you have this one and have cherished it first for awhile.
Historical Piper
One group of books that I am extremely grateful for that John Piper has written is “The Swans Are Not Silent” series. Each one has three or four biographies of significant historical Christian leaders. Piper does an excellent joy of not merely retelling the essential details, but culling the ripest fruit from these magnificent lives and distilling it down to fulfilling applications we should draw from their lives.
The Legacy of Sovereign Joy – Augustine, Luther, Calvin
The Hidden Smile of God – Bunyan, Cowper, Brainard
The Roots of Endurance – Newton, Simeon, Wilberforce
Contending for Our All – Athanasius, Owen, Machen
In addition to the “Swans” series, I would also highlight two others in the historical category:
A God Entranced Vision of All Things, which is a compilation of essays originally delivered at the Jonathan Edwards conference.
The other is God’s Passion for His Glory. After a lengthy introduction, Piper reprints Jonathan Edwards’ “The End For Which God Created the World.” This is not an easy read, but I think it is one of the most important books you could read. Kel, have you finished this one yet (what, five years you’ve been soaking this one in?).
Expanding Piper
The Pleasures of God is the theological treatise that backs up the book Desiring God.
God is the Gospel is a must read, but read the Essential Piper stuff first. This one can be a difficult read also, but worth a careful, slow and prayerful examination. It is the heart of the gospel.
A Hunger for God. How does Desiring God apply to the discipline of fasting. This is one of the better books on the subject I have read.
When I Don’t Desire God. The title says it all, especially if you have read Desiring God. This is a very practical book. Kelly and I handed these out to our Sunday School class also. We keep a few copies around to give away.
Exegetical Piper
The Justification of God is Piper’s study of Romans 9. Better be read to dig a deep well with this one. It sits right beside me right now as I am preaching through Romans.
Counted Righteous in Christ. This is one for a careful review of the doctrine of the imputation of Christ’s righteousness. You need to know some background on this topic first.
Pastoral Piper
If you are a pastor or planning to be one, do not be go one more Sunday without owning and reading, Brothers We Are Not Professionals.
Let me just recommend The Supremacy of God in Preaching one more time while I’m at it.
Evangelistic Piper
Our church has actually invested in multiple cases of these books to use at evangelistic meetings we have held.
Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ.
Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. One year we handed these out at a Good Friday service. The next, we sent multiple cases of these to an Army Chaplain who used them to minister to men around Good Friday and Easter while in Iraq.
Haven’t Read Yet
Here’s what’s on my reading list that I haven’t got around to yet:
Sex and the Supremacy of Christ – essays from the same named conference.
What Jesus Demands from the World – my wife is reading it right now. Our church highlighted this book at one of our Quarterly Members Meetings. It is on my agenda to read during my quiet times.
Suffering and the Sovereignty of God – essays from the same named conference.
There are others that I have or haven’t read that I am sure could be recommended. This is my list, however. I personally don’t invest in the the smaller books that merely repackage other chapters from his other books. I’ve read most of the devotional books by Piper also, but think I would prefer those mentioned above.
But honestly, get them all. They’re $5. I don’t think there is a Piper book I wouldn’t recommend reading.
If I counted correctly – I’ve just made desiringGod $120.00 if you buy all that I’ve linked. But, you really need to buy not only for yourself but to give away to people who need to have their hearts challenged, encouraged – or even regenerated. Good gift and evangelism tools here.
