Excerpt
“God did not just overcome evil at the cross. He made evil serve the overcoming of evil. He made evil commit suicide in doing its worst evil” (p. 12).
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About the Book
John Piper delivers powerful biblical reassurances to bolster readers' trust in the sovereignty of God and the supremacy of Christ when evil and tragedy come.
If God governs the sinful acts of men, then does the devastation caused by those terrorists, dictators, murderers, cheats, and abusers discredit Jesus' words: "All authority in heaven and earth belongs to me"? When heart-rending news comes of the latest accident, illness, or natural disaster, can we really believe that in Jesus, "all things hold together"?
Though God has not answered all of our questions about sin and suffering, there are things he wants us to know, things he declares in his Word-such as what's at stake in the "spectacular" sins of others and the horrible tragedies of this life; their global purpose, both historically and today; and what these events say to us personally.
As John Piper works through these biblical truths, this book will bolster readers' trust in the utter sovereignty of God such that they'll be less timid in their witness and less afraid of whatever may come. It is also a joy-infused declaration that because everything occurs through Christ and for Christ and his glory, they are forever secure in him.
First Edition 2008
Crossway Books (Wheaton, Illinois)
Table of Contents
Introduction: The Times Are Changing
When the Bruised Heart Needs a Tire Iron
1. God Sovereign over Human Sin
The Impulses Behind This Book
2. Christ Sovereign over All Hostile Powers
All Things Were Created for Him
3. The Fall of Satan and the Victory of Christ
Why Does God Permit Satan to Live?
4. The Fatal Disobedience of Adam and the
Triumphant Obedience of Christ
How Adam’s Sin Serves the Supremacy of Christ
5. The Pride of Babel and the Praise of Christ
How the Judgment of God Brings Joyful Acclaim to Jesus
6. The Sale of Joseph and the Son of God
How Salvation Comes through Slavery
7. The Sinful Origin of the Son of David
How the God-Man Becomes the King of Kings
8. Judas Iscariot, the Suicide of Satan, and the
Salvation of the World
How God Conquered Sin through Sin
Translations
Chinese
Publisher: Tien Dao Publishing House Ltd.
Purchase: Yan Fook Church
ISBN: 978-962-208-762-0
Dutch
Publisher: Uitgeverij Van Wijnen
English-Philippines
Publisher: Lighthouse Books & Gifts International/Vineyard Books
ISBN: 978-971-834-243-5
French
Publisher: La Maison de la Bible
ISBN: 978-2-8260-3539-8
Indonesian
Publisher: Momentum Christian Literature
ISBN: 602-8165-89-1
Korean
Publisher: Korea Inter-Varsity Press
Purchase: Aseben
ISBN: 978-89-328-1145-1
Portuguese
Publisher: Editora Fiel
Romanian
Publisher: Editura Faclia
Purchase: Societatea Biblica Din Romania
ISBN: 978-973-8448-86-5
Spanish
Publisher: Editorial CLC
Related Resources
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.
Endorsements
"When it comes to holocausts or other horrors, most of us assume God has his hands tied and his back to the wall. We figure the devil wreaks havoc when God's not looking; we rationalize the Lord's 'mistakes,' figuring he absentmindedly took his hands off the wheel when tragedies happen. But John Piper paints a different picture from the pages of Scripture that will strengthen your heart, bolster your faith, and deepen your understanding of the 'largeness' of God's sovereignty." — Joni Eareckson Tada, Founder and CEO, Joni and Friends International Disability Center
"I had to read this book twice. The weighty truths about the sovereign wisdom and power of God unpacked in these pages created in me an overwhelming feeling of gratitude and ultimate safety. To be reminded of his might over everything is priceless, and I don't think I'll ever be able to preach the same again." —Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor, The Village Church, Highland Village, Texas; author, The Explicit Gospel
"Pastors, make sure your people read this book! I know of no one who has so clearly addressed the relationship of man's sin and God's sovereignty as John has done in Spectacular Sins." —Randy Pope, Pastor, Perimeter Church, Duluth, GA
"Spectacular Sins and Their Global Purpose in the Glory of Christ. Wow! Spectacular and sin! I've never seen those words together before. And who but John Piper could so brilliantly weave them into the same lyric as the global, purposeful glory of Christ! This man never ceases to inspire me to be more awestruck with the supremacy of Jesus." —Chris Tomlin, Recording Artist, Song-writer and Lead Worshiper
