Finally Alive - Softcover

Piper, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1845504216 ISBN 13: 9781845504212

Publisher: Christian Focus, 2009

Synopsis

When Jesus said to Nicodemus, ‘You must be born again’, the devout and learned religious leader was unsure what Jesus meant. It would seem nothing has changed. Today ‘born again Christians’ fill churches that are seen as ineffectual at best, and even characterised by the ‘mosaic’ generation as ‘unchristian’.

 

The term ‘born again’ has been devalued both in society and in the church. Those claiming to be ‘born again’ live lives that are indistinguishable from those who don’t; they sin the same, embrace injustice the same, covet the same, do almost everything the same.

 

Being ‘born again’ is now defined by what people say they believe. The New Testament however defines Christians very differently.

 

“When Jesus said to Nicodemus, “You must be born again” (John 3:7), he was not sharing interesting and unimportant information. He was leading him to eternal life... If he does that for you (or if he already has), then you are (or you will be) truly, invincibly, finally alive.” John Piper

About this title

About the Author:

John Piper served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota for 33 years. He is the founder of desiringGod.org, a chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary, and he has written more than 50 books including Desiring God and Don't Waste Your Life. John and his wife Noel have four sons and one daughter.

Review:

"This is an excellent book. It combines the virtues of clarity and comprehensiveness, maintaining lucidity withut skimping on truth or avoiding difficulty. It is a clarion call to get this essential doctrine right - for our own sakes, and for the sakes of our churches, our friends, and those who follow after us."

(Banner of Truth Magazine)

"An accurate and scriptural explanation of what the new birth really comprises is a most pressing need for the modern church. Finally Alive, by John Piper, fulfills that need admirably. In his book, Piper explains just what it means to be born again, and shows how the scriptural teaching on that subject is designed to give all glory to God, and to cast us in utter dependence upon him."

(Nathan Pitchford Reformed Books.Net)

"Theologically thorough and yet heart-warmingly pastoral and practical, this important book should help God's people to value the remarkable status and responsibility of being ‘born again.'"

(Richard Cunningham, Director of Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF), United Kingdom)

... simply terrific. Finally Alive begins with Christ and ends with preaching Christ. It certainly moved me to keep doing that.

(The Briefing Magazine)

John Piper has done it again... with consumate skill, sets forth the Biblical doctrine of the new birth in all its magnificence and radical impact on lives that were formerly without form and void.

(New Frontiers Magazine)

"Have I been born again? is not a question to be answered hastily. In this book, Piper strips away our complacency, arguing that many people falsely believe they are Christians. By examining the Bible's teaching on the new birth, he shows us how to be certain our faith is genuine. Because no issue could be more critical, I believe this is the most important book Piper has written."

(Adrian Warnock, blogger)

"Expository and practical, this rich survey of New Testament teaching explores the nature of the new birth and the life which flows from it. Full of refreshment and encouragement, it reveals more deeply the glory of Christ and the gospel and motivates a renewed commitment to live out this good news and share it with others."

(David Jackman, President of The Proclamation Trust, London)

"It is an incisive examination of a topic of profound importance. I think it represents Piper at his very best as an author...Piper's tone is gracious and compassionate throughout this book. He shows the heart of a pastor from the first page to the last. But he also shows the skill of a theologian and the passion of a prophet...I cannot recommend this book too highly. I really believe it is Piper's best."

(Challies.com)

About this edition

• Publisher: Christian Focus
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1845504216
• ISBN 13: 9781845504212
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 208