The Justification of God: An Exegetical and Theological Study of Romans 9:1-23 [Paperback]

John Piper (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0801070791 | ISBN-13: 978-0801070792 | Publication Date: February 1, 1993 | Edition: 2

John Piper presents a careful, reasoned study of the doctrine of election. He dissects Paul's argument to highlight the picture of God and his righteousness painted in Romans 9. Undergirded by his belief that the sovereignty of God is too precious a part of our faith to dismiss or approach weak-kneed, Piper explores the Greek text and Paul's argument with singular deftness. (63)

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Baker Academic; 2 edition (February 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801070791
• ISBN-13: 978-0801070792
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #93,633 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John Piper is the Pastor for Preaching at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, where he first sensed God's call to enter the ministry. He went on to earn degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.) and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem. John is the author of more than 30 books, including Sex and the Supremacy of Christ, Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, What Jesus Demands from the World, and Don't Waste Your Life.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, December 22, 2000

By 

Bradley C. Gregory (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Justification of God: An Exegetical and Theological Study of Romans 9:1-23 (Paperback)

This is THE book that convinced me of the Doctrines of Grace. I was an Arminian and very proud of it. I made it my personal challenge to refute the most revered works on election I could find. When I got to Piper's book I met my match. His exegesis was unbelievable. I fought him through the book but couldn't resist Piper's conclusions. As I moved through the book I saw my conceptions about God being shifted and at first I hated it. But as I saw Piper exposit the apostle's thought I saw the beauty in God's sovereignty and have loved Him more for it ever since. A hearty thanks to the modern day theologian who has done the most for my Christian walk.

42 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Foundation - A Foe - A Feast, July 18, 2000

By 

Brian G Hedges (South Bend, Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Justification of God: An Exegetical and Theological Study of Romans 9:1-23 (Paperback)

For Calvinists who want to be Biblical (as all TRUE Calvinists do!) this book lays an excellent FOUNDATION. It is a thorough and insightful study of Romans 9:1-23. No difficult questions are dodged. Dr. Piper carefully exegetes the text (be prepared for technicalities!) and develops from it a thoroughly robust doctrine of the righteousness of God, which he defines as God's unwavering commitment to uphold and display the glory of His name. This is the foundation of the doctrines of grace - even before the sovereignty of God comes the glory of God.

To Arminian theology, this book is a FOE (though it might become a FRIEND to open-minded Arminians themselves!). Piper is kind to those he opposes and he fights for Biblical theology with fierce allegiance to the text and an eye to the glory of God. But he doesn't hold anything back. His arguments are like sharp double-edged swords beaten out in the fires of exegesis and honed on the anvil of meditation. No Arminian theologian has refuted it. Their swords just aren't strong enough or sharp enough.

To Christian Hedonists, this book is a FEAST! It is different from Piper's more popular books like Desiring God and The Pleasures of God. It is not as easy to read. This book is strong meat. But oh is it nourishing! If you want to know about the theology that undergirds Desiring God, then this is the book to read.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Exegetical Masterpiece, January 19, 2001

By 

Aaron O'Kelley - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Justification of God: An Exegetical and Theological Study of Romans 9:1-23 (Paperback)

Here is a side of Piper that I had not seen before. While most of his books are written for the average person, here he unleashes exegesis of the highest quality, with all of the meticulous care that difficult passages like Romans 9:1-23 deserve. By examining carefully the context, semantics, and Hebrew background of this passage, Piper rises to the challenge in his attempt to rescue it from broad surface interpretations that are theologically motivated by those who oppose the doctrines of grace.

Among modern theologians with great influence among common people, Piper is as good as they come. He is fair to the text and to his opponents as always. This work left me in awe of the magnificent glory of God in His sovereign dealings with man. Another masterpiece for John Piper!