(sola)s hattiesburg

So I just finished John Piper’s new book Spectacular Sins and found it to be a very good read.  Piper introduces the book by saying that much of American christianity is “fluffy” and that there is a great need in the States for “tire iron” theology – deep, perhaps even difficult, truths about God, but truths that can be lifesaving (like a tire iron).  The rest of the book addresses one of those deep, challenging truths, namely, God’s relationship to sin.  

The title of the book is a paradox – how can sin ever be spectacular?  Answer – God uses sin for His global and ultimate purposes.  Piper contends that God is in no way guilty of ever committing sin, yet somehow He is sovereign over it.  And what’s more, He uses the most grievous sins (and every sin) for His ultimate purpose of glorifying Himself.  This is heavy truth, but truth must be held onto.  The only way that you can embrace promises like God works all things together for good (Rom. 8:28) is if you believe that He is working in the midst of sin and using it in His sovereign plan.  

Oh, the depth of the riches and swisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!   Romans 11:33