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| | John Piper Book Reviews
Charity and its Fruits
Jonathan Edwards
Banner of Truth
First published 1852,
1996 reprint
Overview
This is a detailed exposition of 1
Corinthians 13. It is the text of sermons preaching during his time as pastor of
the Church at Northampton New England immediately prior to the Great Awakening
of 1740.
It involves a detailed outworking of how love is the
Spirit-produced and Christ-centred affection which prepares us for heaven - a
world of love.
Critique
Edwards’ book is a characteristically logical. The fact
that it is transcripts of sermons makes it a little easier to read than some of
Edwards’ other books, nevertheless it has the same characteristic Puritan
style, long sentences and compact arguments meaning that sometimes the flow of
argument can be lost by the time one reaches his conclusions!
Application
This book has helped me understand Piper better and enabled
me to see the man behind the man!
Best Quote
"...the God of love himself dwells in heaven. Heaven is
the palace or presence-chamber of the high and holy One, whose name is love,
and who is both the cause and source of all holy love. God, considered with
respect to his essence, is everywhere – he fills both heaven and earth....
And this renders heaven a world of love; for heaven is the fountain of love,
as the sun is the fountain of light." (p.326)
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