Good Books to Read in Bible for When Unbelief
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And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately information technology convulsed the male child, and he savage on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the oral fissure. 21 And Jesus asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into h2o, to destroy him. Simply if yous tin do anything, have compassion on us and help us." 23 And Jesus said to him, "'If yous can'! All things are possible for one who believes." 24 Immediat
And they brought the male child to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately information technology convulsed the boy, and he vicious on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21 And Jesus asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood. 22 And it has ofttimes bandage him into fire and into water, to destroy him. Merely if yous tin can do anything, take compassion on us and help usa." 23 And Jesus said to him, "'If you lot tin'! All things are possible for i who believes." 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out[a] and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" 25 And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, maxim to it, "You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." 26 And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, information technology came out, and the boy was like a corpse, and so that most of them said, "He is dead." 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. Mark 9:20-27
Why practice we need a book written on our unbelief? Do we have a crisis of faith? Have you lot lost a job? A spouse? A relationship? It is in our crisis of faith such equally this male parent in Mark 9 that we can struggle with belief. I found this book helpful, thoughtful, insightful and all around isms of full.
Determining what belief is crucial. Why? Because doubt with the right motivation can increase our faith and we can come to a deeper relationship with the Male parent. Doubt with the wrong motivations is sin and simply hardens our heart toward God and His will. Piper is adamant that our belief is grounded in our human relationship with our creator. How well practice we know him according to his discussion? Jesus in his ministry shows what that relationship looks like. In thankfulness, prayer, and worship we can know God. As God freed Israel from Egypt, he was making Himself known. His desire was to exist known that Israel would worship him in the desert and thru the nation of Israel the earth would know Him. Even at present, it is in relationship that God desires and we need. It is our relationship; we learn who we are and our demand for a savior and how smashing of God we have. That He is full of mercy and grace. It is important to know what makes Him God and what makes Him a god in our image.
Belief is a process. We will never arrive and the journey will only finish on the other side of heaven. There will be tensions and to be honest, if at that place is tension then you are doing well. By existence faithful in these tensions, is where growth and transformation is possible.
Cover your doubt; see it as a chance to abound in maturity of faith and an opportunity to know God deeper notwithstanding.
Some of the quotes that I establish helpful are:
It is a confession of need. Information technology is a celebration of hope. It is the total telescopic of a life of faith.
Truthful belief looks at God and sees the extent of His character, the depths of goodness, the profundity of His perfection, and the immensity of His ability and says, What else tin I practice only obey?
All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen. Ralph Waldo Emerson
A Special Thank yous to David C Cook and Netgalley for ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
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I admittedly loved this book, i of my favorites on this topic.
I like to see how sons and daughters of famous preachers and pastors are raising their ain voices to say to this new generation: we were taught well by the near qualified people on planet earth and yet just an see with God could set us truly free from our bondages (unbelief included).
The honesty yous run across through the pages makes yous realize yous're learning from someone that struggles with unbelief as much as you do. That's g
Wow!I admittedly loved this volume, ane of my favorites on this topic.
I similar to meet how sons and daughters of famous preachers and pastors are raising their own voices to say to this new generation: we were taught well past the virtually qualified people on planet world and yet but an run into with God could set us truly free from our bondages (unbelief included).
The honesty you run into through the pages makes you lot realize you lot're learning from someone that struggles with unbelief as much every bit you do. That's great, isn't it?
The writer is not maxim: look, I can solve all your doubts through perfect reasoning and ready your mind at peace because I've figured everything out (we've seen a lot of that). Instead, he'south making this point: you're in a relationship with an infinite God. Mystery will be function of it.
This book actually encourages to encounter "I don't know" as a possibility in our vocabulary and, to be honest, that was kind of new for me. I've wanted to explicate God to myself and to others more times I can remember and yeah, there are times we just don't and won't understand Him. We accept to trust our Dad knows all-time.
In the midst of uncertainty we can always cry out "help" and He'll do for us what nosotros can't do for ourselves.
Also, I could mention that the book respects who you are as an individual and it'southward not trying to tell you the journey of faith volition be the same for everybody. "God has His way with each person", C.Due south. Lewis would say. Barnabas Piper explains the very same thing but with other words.
Generally speaking, this book is easy to read, very well-written, information technology gives you hope and encouragement to pursue a relationship with God where His love overcomes your doubts.
**I received a copy of this volume from David C Cook and Netgalley in commutation for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own**
Full review: https://mibaileperfecto.wordpress.com...
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He makes a potent point of proverb that belief is not just an intellectual assent – information technology's something "more." Just then he proceeds to define belief in a content-based way, every bit in, belief is no
I could relate to a lot of Barnabas Piper'south struggles of making your faith personal when you've grown up with a lot of Christian influence, but in a sense I didn't feel like his perspective was terribly helpful – or rather, it was helpful in pinpointing the struggles, only not and so helpful in pointing the manner out.He makes a stiff point of saying that belief is not merely an intellectual assent – it's something "more than." But then he gain to ascertain belief in a content-based way, as in, belief is not believing this body of truths about God, it'south believing that body of truths nigh God. So which is it? I got the feeling that Piper's indescribable "more" had to do with having a "faith that works," and I wish he had simply come out and said that more conspicuously so that I could hold or disagree with him instead of being confused.
In the end, I felt like this book (much like this review) lacked a bit of focus. I wish he had spent more time on the topic of dubiety, and less time defining the nature of conventionalities. I liked some parts of it, but came abroad confused at others. However, I can come across how it would resonate with others more myself.
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Really loved this book.
With surgical precision, he offers observations nearly the difference between helpful vs. unhelpful doubting. He encourages the honest questioning that a scientific researcher or a young child might inquire, a questioning motivated past a desire to know and learn. But he
A short book that packs a punch. Rather than claiming to solve, convalesce, or remove all your dubiety, Barnabas Piper redirects the focus towards an acceptance that doubt vs. belief is a continual process/journey that evolves over time.With surgical precision, he offers observations nearly the difference between helpful vs. unhelpful doubting. He encourages the honest questioning that a scientific researcher or a young child might ask, a questioning motivated by a desire to know and learn. Simply he points out how as well often our doubting can exist that of a frenzied lawyer who questions in an endeavour to lure the opposition into a "gotcha" moment. Their questioning isn't about learning.
He convincingly shows how too often we do that with God. Nosotros desire Him to submit to our understandings and our limitations, forgetting or even resenting Him for being infinite. We telephone call into question his character and practise not desire to obey. We also accept trouble being comfy with saying "I don't know" and living with uncertainty nearly questions we have. The paralysis of not being able to observe answers in the short-term or over the long-term is problematic for many. And while Piper doesn't spend a lot of time unpacking the link to the Enlightenment, I call up his observation almost the human being-centered world that emerged from the Enlightenment is i of the reasons we are paralyzed past doubt and incertitude. If nosotros are the center of the world, and then what does it say about our world that we cannot understand information technology?
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"To live by faith is to balance in the object of our religion, the God of the Bible, and to come to terms with all of our "I don't knows."- Barnabas Piper
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When the man in Marking 9 cried out, "I believe, help my unbel
"I believe; help my unbelief!" cried the father of a demon possessedpiper boy (Mark nine:24). This cry of anguish is the weep is necessarily emerges from the rima oris of every believer. Why? Our religion is growing. Our faith is incomplete. Nosotros are works in progress. We still accept much to learn. In fact, Barnabas Piper argues, that questions are normal, fifty-fifty good for you in the Christian life. This is the essence of Piper's newest volume, Help My UnbeliefWhen the man in Marking 9 cried out, "I believe, help my unbelief," he was uttering more than a mere statement. Piper adds, "Requests tin stem merely from belief, even it it is just the tiniest inkling of belief." This kind of reasoning should breathe hope, strength and confidence in believers who doubt from fourth dimension to time. For the very human activity of doubt, precipitates saving faith! In one case over again: we are in process. We are still growing. God is in the process of refining our faith. And he will complete the skilful work he started!
Piper introduces readers to the idea of "believing doubt." He says, "Assertive doubtfulness will always ballast in God's character and word as unshakeable and so have on questions that harass and attack." While much damage can come up from doubt, Piper maintains, "Doubt can save us from much trouble and lead to much noesis ... Doubt that seeks the truth and stems from the belief that God is the source of all truth."
Just the author also presents the thought of "unbelieving doubt." "When unbelieving doubt poses a question, information technology is non interested in the answer for whatever reason other than to disprove it ... These doubts are the wild monsters that wreck faith and destroy the simplistically peaceful Christian lives so many people try to lead."
This doubt can surface in several means - intellectual, emotional, or even theological. Truth be told, every Christian battles with unbelieving doubt. This is why the writer of Hebrews says, "See to it that none of y'all has a sinful unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God."
God has given us sure evidences of saving faith which include repentance, prayer, and humility: "Through repentance, prayer, and humility believers move abroad from unbelieving doubt and grow in holiness. The refusal to do these things is a spiritual red flag and prove of wanting to be one'southward own god."
Piper discusses disobedience every bit unbelief: "Disobeying the command of God is disbelieving His grapheme ... He [God] is authority itself, the essence of perfect, flawless potency. To disobey is to deny this virtually him." Piper also discusses obedience equally conventionalities. In a statement to is dripping with the wisdom of his begetter, he adds: "Obedience is not the end; God's satisfaction in united states of america and our pleasure in Him are. It doesn't feel tangible in the moment, but as nosotros grow in belief, we will discover it gaining power over the want to sin." Pure Christian hedonism!
Walking in obedience to God is not a magic formula or a recipe for perfection in the Christian life. The author rightly notes, "Belief [which is to say - obedience to God] does not mean sin will go away ... True belief is that which perpetually, magnetically pulls us toward the 'not notwithstanding' of Revelation 21." Believing the promises of God and being satisfied with all that God is for us in Christ leads us in the direction of the new earth where Jesus volition make all things new!
Help My Unbelief is a plea for a organized religion which is transparent and vulnerable. Information technology is a call for vibrant Christian living in the confront of unanswered questions. And if offer promise for people who are badly looking for answers. The search for answers is welcomed hither. Indeed, the search for truth is a vital part of the Christian life. The volume is a telephone call to action; activeness which is grounded in biblical organized religion. While faith may waver and is "prone to wonder" as Charles Wesley wrote, we can exist assured that God will never leave us or forsake us. He will consummate the good work he started.
Highly recommended!
I received this book costless from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
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How volition I answer their questions? What happens when my life is an inadequate example? How practise I make sure that I still believe in God and his goodness? In Aid My Unbelief, Barnabas Piper shows u.s. why doubt is not the enemy of faith.
Doubt
This item edition is a revised and expanded
As I proclaimed faith in Christ at a young age, I have undoubtedly wrestled with my conventionalities every bit I grew upwards and got married. As a relatively new begetter, I find myself fearing and praying for the religion of my children.How will I answer their questions? What happens when my life is an inadequate example? How practice I make sure that I still believe in God and his goodness? In Help My Unbelief, Barnabas Piper shows us why doubt is not the enemy of organized religion.
Dubiousness
This particular edition is a revised and expanded edition and was previously published in 2015. Barnabas Piper is Managing director for Community at Immanuel Hasville. He co-hosts the Happy Bluster podcast and blogs at BarnabasPiper.com.
As the son of John Piper, you lot would think that his experiences are not relatable. Merely Barnabas writes with full awareness of his upbringing and shortcomings. He details his Bible cognition merely tells of his previous doubts and altitude from God. He claims he had religion, but keeps united states of america informed of his spiritual failures. You can really sense the tension in his writing.
Tension
And tension is where he begins his volume. In many means, this book is a written report of Mark 9 and the story of the demon-possessed boy. Only we do not focus on the male child. Rather, we focus on the religion of his father. He cries out to Jesus, "I believe; help my unbelief!" It is articulate that Piper has spent much fourth dimension pouring over this text.
In the subsequent 8 capacity and in less than 200 pages, Piper helps explain the concept of Biblical belief and what nosotros can know about God. He discusses doubt and what it means to see our conventionalities in activeness. In chapter 7, we are shown how we demand the Holy Spirit to give us sight and life. And the book ends with a call to kid-similar faith equally we cling to hope and call for assist to God.
Faith
My favorite feature of this book are the existent-life stories where belief and unbeilef played out together in real life. Afshin Ziafat, C. South. Lewis, and John Piper are profiled. They are brusque and to the point, but they help illustrate Piper'due south theme perfectly. I also enjoyed how this book was filled with quotes for support.
Ii appendices are included at the end of the book. Appendix 1: Reading the Bible to Meet God gives seven applied suggestions to help with unbelief. Appendix 2: Suggested Reading provides a topical listing of books for study.
Ask, Acquire, and Trust
As I pray for the organized religion of my children and family, I remember that it is God who calls u.s.a. and keeps usa. And as I continue to abound in my own faith, I am reminded to ask questions, continue learning about God, and trust him and his purposes.
I was provided a complimentary copy of Help My Unbelief but was not required to write a positive review.
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The positives: he'southward a great author and his theological thinking is, much like his begetter'southward, crystal clear and logical. He is also frank about his own weakness that led to his wrestling with uncertainty, which gives a sense of authenticity.
The negatives: the main thrust of his book is that there are two 'types' of doubt: 'proficient' doubt, that leads to a realisation that you are too si I idea I would really relish this volume about doubt past John Piper's son Barnabas, but I was a lilliputian disappointed past it.
The positives: he's a peachy author and his theological thinking is, much like his father'southward, crystal clear and logical. He is besides frank about his own weakness that led to his wrestling with uncertainty, which gives a sense of authenticity.
The negatives: the main thrust of his volume is that in that location are two 'types' of doubt: 'good' dubiety, that leads to a realisation that you are besides sinful to understand God, and 'bad' uncertainty, that leads to a questioning of God, idolatry, and then apostasy. The trouble I take with this premise is that, in practice, most garden-multifariousness uncertainty looks similar his definition of 'bad doubt', and all the same it is not truthful that that necessarily leads to idolatry and betrayment. Despite his intention of giving people permission to doubtfulness, I retrieve this book would have the opposite effect for many people and push them farther away from feeling there is infinite for their questions and doubts.
The theology has a strong Puritan accent on our inherent sinfulness – and although it helps some people when they are doubting to remind them of their sinfulness, others, who are already feeling guilty virtually having doubts, would but drown with these kinds of exhortations. I call up this book would be best for those who are comfortable with strong Bourgeois Evangelical/ Puritan theology and spirituality – I get the feeling Barnabas is targeting people who've never before thought anyone is allowed to question their faith. But for those who have felt bruised past an emphasis on the smallness and insignificance of their humanity, or those who doubt in a 'I don't know anymore if God is good or real' style, I would hesitate to recommend this volume to them, because it doesn't provide enough 'breathing space' or 'permission' to vox their questions without condemnation.
If you lot want a 'animate space' book, where the author is more sympathetic towards those who doubtfulness, endeavor something on the spectrum from Philip Yancey to Rachel Held Evans on the subject field, and I would feel much more than comfy recommending these. If you lot want a 'kicking up the backside' volume (which some people find do helpful when they are wavering) then this would probably suit yous better. (I received an advanced review re-create of this book in substitution for my honest review, which this is).
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Barnabas Piper shares a chip of his testimony and what he's learned since his big "aha" moment when he realized the five
Help My Unbelief is 1 of the best books I've read this yr. Information technology is i of the best books I've read in a long time. It's an honest look at doubt: believing doubtfulness and unbelieving doubt. Information technology is about coming to terms with the tension of the Christian life. In office, it is inspired by an run into constitute in Mark 9:17-29. I'll share the most relevant verse: I do believe; assist my unbelief.Barnabas Piper shares a bit of his testimony and what he'south learned since his big "aha" moment when he realized the vast difference betwixt knowing about God and knowing God.
His story was incredibly piece of cake to relate to. I recall many people who have grown upwards in the church building tin relate to it as well. The volume is honest and straightforward. Information technology isn't a book that promises to have all the answers to all the questions you might accept today and in the time to come. Information technology isn't a book that promises an easy fix to your current faith dilemma.
I should mention that one matter this book is not: it's not an apologetic volume seeking to prove annihilation nigh God: his being, his goodness, his perfection.
It is a book that explores questions like: what is religion? what is belief? what is doubt? is there more than i kind of doubt? can doubting always be a good matter? where practise I go with my doubts and questions? what tin can I know--what can anyone know--about God? Can I have peace even if I don't take all the answers? will I always struggle with sin?
I loved, loved, LOVED this ane. I loved it because information technology was thought-provoking and engaging. I loved it because it was then very honest. I thought Piper made some bang-up points equally well. I thought the appendix READING THE BIBLE TO MEET GOD was absolutely wonderful. It should be must-read for every believer.
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Barnabas Piper has written a very helpful and very easy-to-read book on the human relationship between faith and doubt. Piper invites united states of america to comprehend the truth that these two concepts are not necessarily enemies and tin be friends.
Basically, the author makes the point that a religion that has never questioned itself, is not a healthy faith. How tin you honestly say you lot believe something if yous have never struggled, at some level, with the possibility of being wrong? He makes this bespeak, saying, "More probable you have been agape of questions—afraid they would offend your beau Christians or even offend God, afra
Proficient volume for those who have grown up in church building and have been exposed to the idea that questions and doubt are bad.Basically, the author makes the bespeak that a faith that has never questioned itself, is non a healthy faith. How tin you honestly say you believe something if you take never struggled, at some level, with the possibility of being incorrect? He makes this point, saying, "More probable yous have been agape of questions—afraid they would offend your fellow Christians or even offend God, afraid they would rattle your religion." (loc. 1337)
Request good questions, with a desire to learn, and then confidently relying on the goodness of our heavenly father, is the essence of "childlike faith," whether nosotros understand all the loose ends or not. The author admits that, "We will alive with loose ends, and that is something we must take, not considering they are inherently proficient, but because there is an inherently good God. We live in religion, and faith, by nature, stems from an "I don't know." To live by religion is to rest in the object of our religion, the God of the Bible, and to come to terms with all of our "I don't knows." " (loc. 1395)
The volume is written in such a way as to reinforce our faith in a proficient God who knows all, though he might non always choose to reveal all those answers to us.
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Piper talked about this tension of belief and unbelief for Christians. He came across what for him was a familiar story in Mark nine:fourteen-29 in his studies that jumped out at him. This is the story of the begetter who sought assistance for his son who was possessed. The father first asked Jesus' disciples to cast out the unclean spirit from his son. The disciples couldn't help the male parent, then he became angry. They quarreled. Jesus heard the arguing and stepped in at this bespeak. Piper's thought for this study comes from this particular exchange:
21 And Jesus asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you lot can practise anything, have compassion on us and help us." 23 And Jesus said to him, "'If yous can'! All things are possible for one who believes." 24 Immediately the begetter of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!"
This story "exhibits the Christian feel of belief" (26), Piper said. He started the study by discussing what belief in God isn't and then built on that to explain true belief. As I started reading, I took notes collecting and connecting new thoughts well-nigh the life of a believer. Here are some I volition take with me from reading this book:
1. God welcomes my curiosity. He wants me to search, to ask, and to know Him. Piper said, "God is infinite, beyond our understanding—withal He chooses to reveal Himself in ways that spark questions rather than settling them all" (32).
2. Caput noesis and "mental assent" are office of belief, only non the aforementioned as 18-carat faith in God. 18-carat faith involves transformation. I can read and concur with God's Word and fifty-fifty quote it, just I will non have a true faith without a change in my actions and thoughts. Religion in God changes the grade of 1's life. "Relational noesis of God leads to transformational, living conventionalities" (53).
3. The words "infinite" and "omnipotent" explicate why we can't fully understand and explain God – fifty-fifty though some people volition try despite the fact that we're finite beings. "[God] could not compress Himself, His profound and unfathomable cocky, to a size our human minds and hearts could grasp. He wanted usa to search, to wrestle, to wonder, to be mystified. He wanted us to inquire" (32-33).
4. What faith like a kid ways is "not passive, mindless dependence" (135) like a newborn. Piper said "questioning is the currency of childhood." A child will ask mom or dad a question and truly want to know the answer. She trusts they have the noesis to answer her. The child doesn't claiming while asking the question.
v. Piper gave examples of researchers vs. prosecutors to explicate the divergence between the good and bad means nosotros question God. Researchers are asking questions based on a theory they explore. They are seeking the truth. The prosecutor already has a picture in his mind of what is the truth. I was reminded of the passages where the Pharisees questioned Jesus to trip Him upward. They didn't want to learn or believe.
half dozen. I have to believe in club to ask God, "Help my unbelief." This was major for me. It'southward why I can make the statement at the top of this review. It's why I felt peace as I read. My desire for God to aid me is built-in out of belief. I pray and believe He will hear and answer. Piper said, "If you have cried out to God – 'Help!' – yous have spoken from a identify of belief. That is evidence of your faith" (85).
7. I needed assistance from the Holy Spirit to truly believe in God in the first place. I knew I needed Him to read the Bible and understand it, but I hadn't considered that I needed the Holy Spirit to assistance my unbelief before I became a Christian. The passages in the Bible where I read and see something transformative appears equally merely information without Him.
8. It'southward okay to doubt equally a believer. We are sinners, we are imperfect, and we alive in the "not all the same." But we have the balls that 1 twenty-four hours nosotros will accept perfect belief.
I enjoyed taking this journey with Piper. He wanted his readers to "see that belief isn't blind religion and that questions, if asked well, are building blocks for stronger faith rather than stepping-stones away from it" (21). He achieved his goal. I did wonder virtually the "social club of appearance." Why did he not talk about the Holy Spirit sooner? In Affiliate 7 he explained the "how to" and then touched on earlier points he made like a painter who has sketched out the created scene then applied color, firming up the lines to finish his painting.
I wrote in my notebook that I had some confusion about whether some words were Piper's own or part of a quote from someone else. Some quotes were gear up off every bit a quote, but others were cryptic. I'm used to some indication that I'm reading a quote, like quote marks. Some quotes didn't always flow seamlessly, even if they were splendid ones. I would re-create and paste passages in my search engine just to double cheque. Not a large deal. At most I was just jarred a bit. (I do wonder if information technology'southward because my copy was on my Kindle.)
Otherwise, I didn't take problem following along and coming dorsum to the text fifty-fifty if I had been away from the book for a solar day. I talked a lot well-nigh what I was learning too which is always a skilful sign. I too liked the added material virtually reading the Bible to detect Jesus in the story. I recommend this volume to anyone who is struggling as a Christian with what it means to believe and to live out this life of faith.
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I capeesh Piper's honesty throughout the volume, equally well as his concern for the Church building; I found them refreshing, actually. To acknowledge nosotros aren't supposed to know all of the answers--that God and His ways are mysterious--was helpful. I'm enlightened that the bible states that repeatedly, but apparently I demand additional reminding. I look forward to some of the recommended reading.
God does not fit neatly into our attempts of systematizing theology. Not that systematic theol
Four and a half stars, really.I appreciate Piper'due south honesty throughout the book, as well every bit his business organisation for the Church; I constitute them refreshing, actually. To admit we aren't supposed to know all of the answers--that God and His means are mysterious--was helpful. I'm aware that the bible states that repeatedly, but manifestly I need boosted reminding. I look frontward to some of the recommended reading.
God does non fit neatly into our attempts of systematizing theology. Not that systematic theology isn't helpful: information technology'south but limited. Inadequate. And often besides simplistic. I want more than than mental assentation.
Once more, God is mysterious: far across our agreement. Sometimes we merely have to leave it at that.
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With that being said, I have to enquire an honest question: Why does anyone want to read a volume by
Every time I get ready to write a volume review, I start to feel like I'k nigh to practice something huge--like lead worship with feeble guitar skills, or send out the starting line-upwardly for a little league game, or get in the ring with a prize fighter. Information technology's always nervus wracking and it'due south e'er a bit daunting--especially when the author of the book is someone who is fairly well known and fairly well respected.With that existence said, I have to inquire an honest question: Why does anyone want to read a book past Barnabas Piper? And an extension of this question goes something similar this: Can I read/review this book without making even that passing reference to his, arguably, more than famous father? One shouldn't have annihilation to do with the other, right?
Yet this is exactly where my first question comes in: what has Barnabas Piper done in his life that is justification for reading his volume about matters of faith, Jesus, Church, being a disciple of Jesus, and so on and so forth? Is it his struggles, his doubts, his family proper name, or something else? There is nothing novel or unique most what he says in this book. There is zippo extraordinary in this volume that I haven't read before. There is null well-nigh this book that makes a little light bulb hover in a higher place my head.
I'thou non saying information technology's a terrible book. I am saying that information technology's null new so I wonder who information technology was written for, what the market is, and why I would desire to purchase this volume. Can the book stand on it'southward own?
Piper states his purpose in writing: "My goal is to help you meet that conventionalities isn't blind organized religion and that questions, if asked well, are building blocks for strong faith rather than stepping stones away from it." (Kindle, Location 87). OK. This is expert. Only why should I trust that this particular author has the answers to these questions? And does the author, ultimately, accomplish his purpose? The first question, I am unsure how to respond. Some people volition trust his answers, merely I'k not sure they know why they trust his answers. This gets dorsum to that second question I asked above which had something to do with whether or not I can read this book apart from the noesis of who he is related to. I remember other people volition find his answers shallow or cliched. This is not a deep book, it's not a book that takes you lot on a whirlwind, large city run a risk through the Bible. It's full of lots of overnice quotes from famous people and anecdotes about his own personal journey.
The second question (does he achieve his purposes) is a yes/no for me. Let me give you lot an example of the problem as I see information technology.
Piper asks some hard questions in the book, merely what if his item theological disposition that underlies his answers is flawed? How exercise we understand his answers? So: "If He chooses who volition exist saved, and so why are unchosen people held responsible for their deportment and His choice?" (Kindle location 447; he does mention homo costless will at location 577, but I'g not sure how he ways it given everything else he has written in the book). This is a question he asks that has a presupposition underneath it: God intentionally saves some and intentionally condemns the rest. I but cannot concur with his proposition and it was difficult for me to separate what I doubtable/know of his theological tendencies and the answers he gives to some of the questions in the book.
I just read this morn, 2 Peter 3:9: "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, just is patient towards you, non wishing that whatsoever should perish, but that all should reach repentance." (ESV) Or what about Paul in 1 Timothy 2:3-four: "This is skilful, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior who desires all people to come to the knowledge of the truth." (ESV) I retrieve this is the primary problem I take with the book. Information technology is beholden to a theological proposition that simply cannot be maintained logically if one reads the entire Bible, observes man nature, and thinks logically. At that place is no fashion we can say that God wants all to exist saved and then turn around and say that God only saves a few and that the unchosen are, well, lost. There is no way to say that God chooses some for conservancy and non others unless yous are willing to attribute evil to God.
This is the No side of my answer.
On the Yes side of my respond I had to wait until I got all the style to the appendix 1: Reading the Bible to Meet God. This was the most satisfying part of the book for me: "Nosotros must learn to read the whole story of Scripture from starting time to cease." (Location 1449). I think in this role of the volume he offers united states of america the solutions that I had been waiting for through the entire volume because it is hither that he finally engages Scripture--to an extent--or should I say encourages us to engage the Scripture. Information technology was most disappointing that this section merely fabricated information technology to an appendix--as if we will find more than answers to our doubts and struggles by reading anecdotes about Piper's doubts and life instead of reading stories from the Scripture.
All the same, the points he makes in Appendix 1 are quite good--I only wish he had explored them more in the main text considering frankly they would have fabricated better chapters: Read the whole Bible; look for Jesus; get to know Jesus; don't shy away from the hard stuff; beginning small (I'm iffy on this section); don't read the Bible equally a gear up of rules; pray for the Spirit'due south assist. These are actually the answers we needed when it comes to living in the tension between doubtfulness and faith considering the chapters he gives the states are really only his behavior and theological dispositions--many of which, as I noted above, are only incompatible with the whole Bible he encourages us to read (such every bit his credence of the five solas; I still struggle with how there can be five 'onlys'. Kindle, chapter two).
One final note of importance. I agree with the author that it is OK for the church or individual Christians to say things like 'I don't know.' I take had to learn this equally a man who always wants to take an reply to the questions people ask me. I think we are afraid if we say 'I don't know' people will think we are stupid so nosotros end upward giving answers that absolutely ostend our stupidity. So it's OK for the church, or for Christians, to have no answers to all the suffering and violence that goes on around us. It'due south OK to ask questions: "Questions are an indication of trust." And here I call up Piper answers his ain questions well: "By revealing what He did in Scripture, God created a massive mystery. He gave us an enigma, a puzzle, a riddle with so many dimensions and plotlines and layers and themes that fifty-fifty but those sixty-six books take generated libraries of volumes of thought, argument, and questions" (Kindle location 225). Yep. Even in our doubts, in some mysterious manner, we point to Jesus for answers even if our mouths happen to stay closed.
In short, we practise non have to accept all the answers to all the questions or perhaps better, we practice non have all the answers to all the questions. It's OK to sit in silence for a while and pray. As the fourth dimension worn conclusion goes, "It's amend to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open the rima oris and remove all doubt." I retrieve this is something that the Church in general should learn and I think Piper is correct to emphasize this point. I call back it'due south OK to live in the tension between grace and doubt and to permit grace be sufficient. (See chapter 8, So What and What Now?, Kindle location 1381ff).
Overall, the book is not terrible. It's not the all-time I've read, but not the worst either. I remember for some people it will be wholly unsatisfying and for others it will be a adept introduction. He has some good and important things to say and he has some other bereft things to say--especially as it relates to his theological nether girding. I didn't come abroad from the book wholly satisfied, but I didn't come abroad wholly unchallenged either. I retrieve if a person can weave through some of the theological underpinnings and become to the core of his discussion (which I confess was hard for me) so there may exist some fruit to be realized. At least Piper is humble plenty understand that the church is bigger than his opinions and ideas and thoughts and for this I respect him (meet the Subsequently) and my disagreements with him theologically are not to be interpreted as personal attacks.
At the cease of the day, his all-time advice was found near the end: "In God's space wisdom the best way to bring more people to belief is to show them a massively varied story pointed in ane management--to Himself" (Kindle location 1355). I call up he is correct on this bespeak and that he does well to point it out. Perchance soon the church volition go the place where all such things are discussed in detail precisely considering we are all looking for Jesus to make it...because I'1000 inclined to call back that Jesus will make it long before whatever of us do. And this keeps united states of america hungry. And humble. And searching. All things Piper suggests we need to do and be.
Incertitude, in a way, keeps united states safe because it keeps us moving forrard in search of Jesus. Someday he will surprise us and be institute. I know that I personally long for a church where I am free to live in the tension and discover satisfaction in Jesus alone.
So, to answer my earlier question: Yes. I recall this is a book that can stand on its own. I'm not buying all he is selling, just neither am I dismissing it. There's much to think nearly and much to relish.
4/5 Stars
Important Book & Author Things
Where to buy Help My Unbelief David C Cook (Trade Paperback, $14.99) Amazon (Kindle, $9.99) Christian Book Distributors (Paperback, $10.99)
Writer: Barnabas Piper
Publisher: David C Cook
Pages: 176
Year: 2015
Audition:Pastors, preachers, Christians, missionaries, elders, deacons, young people, onetime people
Reading Level: Loftier Schoolhouse
Disclaimer: I was provided a free advance reading copy courtesy of David C Cook via NetGalley
Interview with Barnabas Piper @Christianity Today
Page numbers in this review are based on a Kindle version ARC. Numbering may be different in last publication.
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