Christian Hedonism
One of many values of Christian Hedonism is that it solutions the objection of why or how God might be so God-centered—as a result of he manifestly is. Web page after web page says, “God does this for his glory.” Isaiah 43:7 says he “created us for his glory.” Ephesians 1 says he “elects us unto the reward of his glory.”
God has been referred to as a megalomaniac. Jesus has been referred to as an egomaniac. And other people have mentioned, “Piper, your God is on an ego journey.” And right here’s the reply. God is God. He’s probably the most wonderful being within the universe. He can’t not consider that or he can be an idolator, a liar. He should consider and never deny himself, because the Bible says.
John Piper’s influential work on Christian Hedonism, Wanting God, challenges the idea that following Christ requires the sacrifice of enjoyment. Somewhat, he teaches that “God is most glorified in us after we are most happy in him.”
So, what retains him from being a megalomaniac? The reply is he created a universe wherein his greatness would shine in my supreme happiness. His pursuit of his glory is his pursuit of my pleasure in his glory, which implies his glory and my pleasure shine collectively. He’s not a megalomaniac. He’s a God of affection to the diploma that he lifts up his personal glory for me to see. He’s combating for my pleasure. He’s working for my pleasure.
So, God have to be God. And that’s an excellent and excellent news actuality as a result of he pursues his personal glory in my being glad in his glory.
John Piper is the creator of Wanting God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist.
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