Piper’s understanding of God’s glory plays a prominent role in his understanding of the Christian life. Piper believes that Christians need to pursue God’s glory, and in doing this they will pursue their ultimate joy. The pursuit of God’s glory as Christian Hedonism. Living like a “Christian Hedonist” will impact the lives of Christians regarding missions. The way a Christian lives impacts how the gospel message is shared and received at home and abroad.
Definition and Foundation of Christian Hedonism
The foundation of Christian Hedonism is God’s happiness. God is infinitely happy with himself, loves nothing more than himself, and is completely satisfied with the love he has forhimself. God is happy because all his decisions are righteous and cannot be frustrated. God is sovereign over all his decisions; they are made “out of love to his own glory.” God works “all things after the counsel of his will” (Eph 1:11), from minor events to life threatening happenings to the crucifixion of Christ. Based on this foundation, Christian Hedonism is built on five premises:
1) The desire to be happy is universal and not sinful.
2) People should never resist the desire to be happy and should satisfy this longing with what will provide the greatest gratification.
3) The most satisfying happiness is in God.
4) Happiness in God reaches its peak when it is shared with others.
5) “The chief end of man is to glorify God BY enjoying him forever.”
Christian Hedonism in Relation to Conversion
Conversion is a miracle given by God to his elect that enables them to repent and place their faith in Christ. Conversion occurs only after regeneration; God must overcome a person’s resistance and enable that person to see their own sin and need for Christ. Piper states that at conversion, the person will chase joy in the glory of God and strive for God’s glory in the same manner as God pursues the glory of himself.
Piper gives six reasons that outline the connection between conversion and the glory of God. First, everything begins with God. God created humans to glorify God (Isa 43:6–7). Second, a person’s duty is to glorify God in everything he does (1 Cor 10:31). The way the person glorifies God is joyfully to cherish him above all things and to proclaim God’s glory to the whole world. Everyone has this responsibility, including those who have never heard the gospel. Third, a person fails to glorify God (Rom 1:23, 3:23) because the person exchanges God’s glory for something of lesser value. This is sin. Everyone has chosen to be sinful. Fourth, a person is damned (Rom 6:23, 2 Thes 1:9) because the person holds God’s glory in contempt. Sin is an infinite offense to God, and, therefore must be infinitely punished. Fifth, Christ came to save people from hell by dying in their place and rising from the dead (1 Tim 1:15, Rom 4:25). In the death and resurrection of Christ, God protects the value of his glory by giving people a chance to repent, place their faith in him, and glorify God. Christ satisfied God’s wrath and justifies a person by taking his sin. Sixth, the benefits of Christ’s death are applied only to those who place their faith in him (Acts 3:19, 16:31). The condition that must be met is conversion.
Christian Hedonism in Relation to Worship
One day, people from all people groups will worship God. Worship is not optional—it is a person’s most important responsibility. Worship is honoring the glory of God, being fulfilled in him, and treasuring him above all things. Practically, worship consists of internal, daily expressions of joyful loyalty to God. Worship combines the intellect and the emotion. It occurs only when a Christian has solid, biblical, intellectual conceptions of God’s glory. Worship, while not emotionalism, is fake unless it includes the emotions. Worship expresses sorrow for sin, longing, thankfulness, and hope in God.
Worship must be God-centered and is an end in itself. There are three stages to worship: the start of worship, a longing to be free and happy in worship, and “unencumbered joy” in worship. The first stage is the lowest stage. It is where a Christian returns during challenging times in life. It is characterized by emptiness that barely senses any desire to worship. Here, God provides the Christian grace to repent for the lack of desire. The second stage is where the Christian desires to taste true worship. The heart is not as enthusiastic as necessary, but it remembers the grace of God. The last stage is where the Christian is happy and gratified with the glory of God. The person is able, without constraint, to feel joy in the manifold perfections of God. In order to arrive at the final stage, Piper suggests the following: praying for an open heart; meditating on Scripture; foregoing worldly distractions; trusting in truth that is already received; resting and being alert for worship services; not complaining; having a teachable spirit; focusing attention on love for God; thinking about what is sung, prayed, and preached; and desiring truth found in Scripture.
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