Christian Book Notes

Piper, John.  A Sweet & Bitter Providence:  Sex, Race, and the Sovereignty of God.  Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2010.  160 pp.  $17.99.  Purchase at Westminster for $11.69.

Audiobook

Narrated by Grover Gardner.  Escondido: christianaudio Hovel.  3.8 hours.  Download–$9.98, CD–$15.98

Introduction

Seriously, John Piper needs no introduction, but perhaps the book of Ruth does. Situated right after the book of Judges and just before the establishment of the monarchy, we read of a widow and her widowed daughter-in-law. Ruth is certainly a love story through and through, but many wonder how it speaks to us today. John Piper has offered his faithful exegesis and application of the book of Ruth in his latest book, A Sweet & Bitter Providence.

Summary

A short book, this one is divided into four chapters. The first chapter discusses God’s providence in allowing life to happen to Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah. Chapter two looks at how God guided and directed the paths of Ruth and Naomi to the city of a kinsmen redeemer. And not just any kinsmen redeemer, but one who would be able to provide for Ruth.

The third chapter describes strategic righteousness. Strategic righteousness is not a man or woman manipulating life’s events so that all works out for his or her good. Rather, strategic righteousness is rooted in the hope that God is going to work all things for one’s good. Chapter four concludes with the Christ-exalting application that Piper is known for (and I praise God for that!). Here, Piper shows how we, as the redeemed of Christ, are to make Him renowned in the world just as Ruth did with Boaz.

Audio/Content Review

Grover Gardner, a common voice heard on christianaudio, reads this book extraordinarily well. I have listened to a couple of the books he has read and have found him to sometimes be out of place. I cannot figure out why exactly–other than I “hear” John Piper or Donald S. Whitney whenever I read one of their books–but his voice just does not seem quite right.

That is not to say that he does not do a good job. On the contrary, he does a wonderful job. This is probably why when you check out the list of books he has read for christianaudio, you find authors like J.I. Packer, John Piper, Donald S. Whitney, Eugene Peterson, etc. In the case of A Sweet & Bitter Providence, I could hear John Piper teaching even though it was Grover Gardner reading–if that makes any sense at all.

The content of the book is right on–especially in today’s pluralistic society. Piper takes us straight to the throne room of God to see that sex is indeed a beautiful and glorious gift. We see that while many frown on inter-racial relationships, God, in His providence, ordained it such that Christ would descend from such a relationship.

Recommendation

A Sweet & Bitter Providence offers a glorious look “behind the scenes” as it were of what God was doing in the life of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz. There is much to be gleaned from this short book of the Bible. We are indebted to John Piper for offering his thoughts on this book and even more so the application of this book for our lives today.

Marsden, George M. A Short Life of Jonathan Edwards.  Grand Rapids:  Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2008.  160 pp.  $15.00.  Purchase the book at Westminster books for $9.75.

Audiobook

Narrated by Grover Gardner.  Esconido:  christianaudio Hovel, 2008.  5 hours.  Download – $12.98, CD – $21.98.

This is an audio book review. Truth be told, this was the first full biography of Jonathan Edwards I have read (or had read to me as is the case). I thought the parallel between Edwards and Ben Franklin was extremely helpful given most people are more familiar with Franklin than with Edwards. Setting these two men side by side proved to be a wonderful approach to understanding how both men shaped the early United States and how they continue to shape it today.

While most people know Edwards for his sermon, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, little attention is given to it by Marsden except how it set the stage for the Second Great Awakening. His, and Franklin’s, friendship with George Whitefield helped to shed light on how a “preacher from England” could have so much influence in America–especially at this time in her early history.

It was also helpful to see how Edwards was influenced by the Puritans given he lived decades removed from their influence. Many have called Edwards a Puritan, but have questioned the validity of this given the time when Edwards preached. Marsden traces their influence through Edwards’ family and shows how it was passed on to him at an early age.

Ultimately, I was struck by Marsden’s focus on Edwards’ short-comings. He discusses his lack of administrative skills as well as his taking for granted regeneration in many of the converts from the first Great Awakening. Marsden did an excellent job of showing Edwards at his best and at his worst.

Listening to Grover Gardner read was as though I was curled up by a fire in my living room listening to stories of how God used one man in shaping the United States. He read evenly and with emotion where necessary. The quality of the audio was nice with no obvious areas of cutting and pasting. At only five hours in length, this book can be heard, in most cases, in a week’s time of travel to and from work.

A Short Life of Jonathan Edwards deserves to be read or listened to by anyone interested in 1) Christian history, 2) Reformed Christian history, or 3) American history. It can be said that Edwards impacted every area of American history during his journey on this earth. It can also be said that he is still influencing countless Christians to this day. Was he a lightning rod for conflict? Yes, but then again so was Moses. If you have not read or listened to this book, you should add it to your “read immediately” pile.