Proclaimer Blog
A little book that’s good for your heart
I've just finished reading Piper's new book published by Christians Focus. It's called Five Points and is a little primer on… the five points of Calvinism. In one sense, this is a book that was preaching to the choir. I had no need to be persuaded myself – these convictions are my convictions. Nevertheless, Piper explains them in such a way that young or new Christians would be able to grasp what the teaching and its relevance is. His aim is to set out a biblical case, and (given the space limitations) he does this admirably. I would happily give this to someone in our congregation to read.
But more than this, it did me good. Not so much (interestingly) the individual chapters on the five points (more of this in a moment). But Piper's own personal testimony of why he treasures these five points really stirred by own soul. He offers up 10 consequences of reflecting on these truths, many of which (when I sat down to think about it) resonated with me. That last chapter is gold dust.
On the individual points, some chapters are (perhaps not surprisingly) stronger than others.
- The chapter on Total Depravity is very strong and well applied. "The aim of this book is to deepen our experience of God's grace. It is not to depress or to discourage or to paralyze. Knowing the greatness of our disease will make us all the more amazed at the greatness of our Physician. Knowing the extent of our deep seated rebellion will stun us at the long suffering grace and patience toward God." This is Piper the preacher at his best.
- The chapter on Limited Atonement is perhaps the one many will turn to first. I appreciate that not all readers will share his (and my) conviction. Piper knows this too and in this chapter tries to be his most persuasive. He does acknowledge that a much more in-depth analysis of this question is in the forthcoming Crossway volume, but that is going to take months to digest. So this is a good place to start, Nevertheless, I do think Piper could here have interacted with the most crucial objection, namely that this doctrine prevents the evangelist from saying "Christ died for your sins." That's a common enough objection that is worth tackling. BTW, it's interesting that that's never (as far as I can see) a New Testament evangelistic approach. Perhaps that will get tackled in the mama volume.
- Similarly, there is no real interaction in the chapter on Perseverance of the Saints with Hebrews 6. I appreciate that the book is a positive preach on the five points, but again, this is such a common objection, that a paragraph or two on it would have been a worthwhile addition.
- I also wanted to see stronger links between the points. I think the linkage (and interdependency) is important and often overlooked.
- Finally, the title is unlikely to draw in those who need to be persuaded. I would have liked a more engaging title.
I quibble.
Overall, this is an excellent little primer which, even for this paid up choir member, stirred my heart and made me thankful for the sovereign action of God in saving me. Worth reading for yourself and worth recommending to your congregation.