Why is the church so ineffectual and characterized by the mosaic generation as unchristian? The term born again has been devalued both in society and in the church. Recent social studies surveys have shown that those who regard themselves as born again Christians have the same tendency to divorce as people who aren't Christians at all! In these surveys, being born again is defined by what people say they believe. The New Testament defines Christians very differently. Piper defines new birth biblically and helps us to embrace the reality of it. I hope that showing that the new birth is not in our control helps make pastors and other Christians desperate for the supernatural in their ministries.
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"This is my new favorite John Piper book. A fairly quick read. Piper walks through the true definition of "born again" and discusses both God's role in this work and our role in it. Probably my favorite part is the last segment of the book where he shows why we still evangelize if God elects those who will be His own."
— Angela (5 out of 5 stars)
“I cannot too strongly celebrate the publication of this book. Owing in part to several decades of dispute over justification and how a person is set right with God, we have tended to neglect another component of conversion no less important. Conversion under the terms of the new covenant is more than a matter of position and status in Christ, though never less: it includes miraculous Spirit-given transformation.”
— D. A. Carson“Regeneration, or new birth, meaning simply the new you through, with, in, and under Christ, is a largely neglected theme today, but this fine set of sermons, criss-crossing the New Testament data with great precision, goes far to fill the gap. Highly recommended .”
— J. I. Packer" Great introduction to the topic. Piper's use of question help present the content in a precise and beneficial manner. "
— Aaron, 2/2/2014" John Piper clearly and simply expounds on biblical truths, namely of the new birth, that fly in the face of some of the most rampant and devastating Christian myths of our day. "
— Caleb, 1/14/2014" Our pastoral team read this together. The book stimulated much more conversation than we expected. We examined Scripture, compared our thoughts with one another and John Piper. Recommend. "
— Dennis, 12/31/2013" This is a very fine book. Piper simply, yet gloriously explains directly through Scripture why Christ is necessary and what it means to be born again. A wonderful and needed reminder. "
— Christopher, 12/30/2013" A wonderful treatise on salvation. "
— Josh, 12/17/2013" The most book written of what it means to be "born from above." "
— Glenn, 12/13/2013" Loved it! Great help in understanding the texts having to do with the new birth. Loved especially the last two chapters on the necessity of evangelism and the call to "preach this Good News." "
— Dan, 12/1/2013" Piper is another of my favorite authors. His ability to look long and hard at a subject and stir our hearts with Biblical truth is unmatched by any contemporary author. This book is about the new birth, a subject that is fuzzy for far too many Christians today. I have liked what I have read so far. "
— Ryan, 11/5/2013" I'm loving this book. I'm in a book club with a few pastors at the church using this book. "
— Andy, 7/24/2013" This has got to be my favorite Piper book to date, perhaps in small part to having read it during a difficult time in my life, making it very timely. Many of his books I read part way, re-reading some parts, skipping others. I've read this one twice through. "
— Wendy, 6/1/2013" Time to get back to Basics; especially foundational. Piper has never disappointed when he writes. Looking forward to reading, studying and teaching through this great work. "
— Michaelpatrick, 12/19/2012John Piper (DTheol, University of Munich) is the founder and teacher of DesiringGod.org and the chancellor of Bethlehem College and Seminary. He served for thirty-three years as the senior pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is the author of more than fifty books, including Desiring God, Don’t Waste Your Life, This Momentary Marriage, A Peculiar Glory, and Reading the Bible Supernaturally.
Raymond Todd is an actor and director in the theater as well as a poet and documentary filmmaker. He plays jazz trombone for the Leatherstocking quartet, an ensemble that gets its name from one of his favorite Blackstone narrations, The Deerslayer. Todd lives in New York.