Excerpt
“Some swans are alive and sing in our day. But not many. And only time will tell if their song will survive the centuries. But time has already rendered that judgment for hundreds of swans. They have died, and their work has stood the test of time. Their song is, therefore, especially valuable for us to hear” (p. 9).
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About the Book
Athanasius. Owen. Machen.
When Augustine handed over the leadership of his church in AD 426, his successor was so overwhelmed by a sense of inadequacy that he declared, “The swan is silent,” fearing the spiritual giant’s voice would be lost in time. But for 1,600 years Augustine has not been silent—and neither have the men who faithfully trumpeted the cause of Christ after him. Their lives have inspired every generation of believers and should compel us to a greater passion for God.
In his fourth book in The Swans Are Not Silent series John Piper explores the lives of Athanasius, John Owen, and J. Gresham Machen—a bishop, a pastor, and the founder of a seminary.
Each of these men stood for the truth of the gospel in the face of intense opposition—all out of a deep love for Jesus and a desire for people to know him in his fullness. They took no joy in controversy for argument’s sake, and they were willing to suffer for the sake of guarding the sanctity of the gospel. Threats of harm, years of exile, the death of loved ones, opposition from friends and authorities, sickness and pain—none of these setbacks could keep these three from maintaining their efforts to further the gospel or quench their zeal for Jesus himself.
In each of their lives, personal holiness was emphasized publically and privately despite suffering. They were true soldiers for the sake of the cross, and each man offers life lessons for Christians today. We pray that their perseverance, courage, and resolve will arouse such Christ-honoring passions in you.
Hardcover 2006; Paperback 2011
Crossway Books (Wheaton, Illinois)
Table of Contents
Introduction – Sacred Controversy in Scripture, History, and the Lives of the Swans
1. Contending for Christ Contra Mundum
Exile and Incarnation in the Life of Athanasius
2. Communing with God in the Things for Which We Contend
How John Owen Killed His Own Sin While Contending for Truth
3. Contending for Facts for the Sake of Faith
J. Gresham Machen’s Constructive Controversy with Modernism
Conclusion – Contending for Our All: A Golden Opportunity for Love
Translations
English-UK
Publisher: Inter-Varsity Press
Purchase: Christian Books Dunstable
ISBN: 978-1-84474-135-9
Italian
Publisher: Alfa & Omega
Korean
Publisher: Revival and Reformation Press
Purchase: God People Mall
ISBN: 978-89-6092-054-5
Portuguese
Publisher: Tempo DeColheita L.P. Ltda
Related Resources
- Filling Up the Afflictions of Christ (book)
- The Hidden Smile of God (book)
- The Legacy of Sovereign Joy (book)
- The Roots of Endurance (book)
- Biographical Sketch of J. Gresham Machen (conference message)
- Biographical Sketch of Athanasius (conference message)
- Biographical Sketch of John Owen (conference message)
About John Piper
John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is the author of more than 50 books including Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist. John and his wife, Noël, have five children and twelve grandchildren.
