Excerpt
“How can I not cry, Look! Believe! Be satisfied! It may cost you your life to see it. But it will be worth it, because we know on good authority that ‘The steadfast love of the LORD is better than life’ (Psalm 63:3 RSV). Infinite delight is a dangerous duty. But you will not regret the pursuit” (p. 3).
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About the Book
Each of us is hard-wired to pursue our happiness. We long for significant, profound joy. Some try to satisfy it with exotic vacations, high-tech gadgets, career success, sports, academics, drug experimentation, even ascetic rigors.
Yet the longing remains. Why?
In The Dangerous Duty of Delight, John Piper turns our heart toward the one true object of human desire and happiness: God. Piper shows from Scripture that pursuing our happiness in Christ is not optional for the Christian, but essential.
Come along on a journey from desperate desire to infinite delight. Learn how you were created for ultimate satisfaction in Him, and how this new perspective will change your attitudes toward worship, relationships, material goods—and everything.
“Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee.” —Saint Augustine
First Edition 2001; New Edition 2011
Multnomah Books (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
Table of Contents
1. Treating Delight As Duty Is Controversial
2. Glorify God by Enjoying Him Forever
3. Affections Are Not Optional
4. Pursuing Pleasure Undermines Pride and Self-Pity
5. Pursue Your Joy in the Joy of the Beloved
6. What Does It Mean for Worship?
7. What Does It Mean for Marriage?
8. What Does It Mean for Money?
9. What Does It Mean for Missions?
Epilogue: A Final Call
Appendix 1 – The Glorified God
Appendix 2 – The Satisfied Soul
Translations
English-Philippines
Publisher: OMF Literature Inc.
ISBN: 978-971-0495-95-5
Chinese-Traditional
Publisher: Seed Press Ltd.
ISBN: 962-230-201-7
French
Publisher: BLF Europe
Purchase: Librairie La Procure
ISBN: 978-2-910246-37-2
German
Publisher: Christliche Literatur-Verbreitung
ISBN: 978-3-89397-677-5
Korean
Publisher: Word of Life Press
Purchase: God People Mall
ISBN: 89-04-15467-7
Portuguese
Publisher: Editora Fiel
Purchase: CLC Portugal
ISBN: 978-8599145-63-0
Spanish
Publisher: Editorial Unilit
ISBN: 9780789920553
Related Resources
- Desiring God (book)
- There Is a Way to Be Happy, Even in Sadness (article)
- Treating Delight As Duty Is Controversial (article)
- Worship: the Feast of Christian Hedonism (sermon)
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.
