Finding Faith In God: John Piper's Teachings

In his book, *Desiring God*, John Piper presents a new and radical version of the Christian faith, which he calls Christian Hedonism. Piper argues that conversion is about turning from sin to righteousness and seeing Jesus as a treasured Saviour and Lord. He suggests that saving faith involves spiritual affections, such as treasuring Christ and finding satisfaction in Him. This view has been criticised by some, who argue that it complicates the nature of faith and that affections are the fruit of faith rather than integral to it. However, Piper asserts that saving faith is more than just a cognitive belief or a decision, but a receiving of Christ as a treasured friend, Saviour, and Lord.

Receiving Christ as a Treasure

In his book, "What Is Saving Faith?: Reflections on Receiving Christ as a Treasure", John Piper reflects on the relationship between treasuring Christ and saving faith. He argues that faith in Christ is not saving unless it includes an "affectional dimension of treasuring Christ".

Piper suggests that saving faith is not just about trusting Christ, but also about receiving Him as our supreme treasure and inexhaustible pleasure. This means that we welcome Christ into our lives, not just as an escape from hell, but because we find Him to be our greatest treasure. This understanding of faith is not just an intellectual exercise, but it involves our emotions and affections as well.

Piper supports his argument by drawing from the Bible and church history. He cites John 1:11-12, which says that those who receive and believe in Christ are given the right to become children of God. He also refers to Matthew 13:44, where Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a treasure hidden in a field, which a man finds and then sells all that he has to buy that field. Piper suggests that when we are converted, our eyes are opened to how valuable Jesus is, and we receive Him as our treasure.

Furthermore, Piper addresses potential concerns about his definition of saving faith. He acknowledges that faith should be simple enough for a little child to understand and believe. However, he also believes that there are dimensions to the act of trusting Christ that need to be spelled out for a full understanding. He emphasizes that saving faith is not just about believing in Jesus as a miracle worker or Messiah, but it involves seeing and savoring Christ as supremely glorious.

In conclusion, John Piper's reflections on receiving Christ as a treasure emphasize the importance of not only trusting in Christ but also treasuring Him as our greatest satisfaction. This understanding of saving faith has implications for how we view our relationship with God and how we live out our faith.

Faith as a Receiving

John Piper's book, *What Is Saving Faith?*, argues that faith is an "affectional" act, where "receiving Christ" is an essential part of what faith is. This is distinct from acts of faith that result from faith. Piper's argument is that saving faith in Jesus Christ involves welcoming him as our supreme and inexhaustible pleasure, or "treasuring" him. This is a controversial view, especially within the Reformed tradition, which typically defines faith as knowledge, assent, and trust.

Piper's understanding of saving faith is rooted in his interpretation of specific biblical passages. For example, he points to John 1:11–12, which says, "He [Jesus] came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." Here, receiving and believing in Jesus are presented as overlapping or identical concepts. However, this raises the question of receiving Jesus as what? Messiah? King? Savior? Piper suggests that saving faith involves receiving Jesus for all that he is, according to our understanding.

In Matthew 13:44, Jesus says, "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." Piper interprets this to mean that conversion involves having our eyes opened to the value of Jesus and receiving him as our treasure. This idea of receiving Christ as a treasure is central to Piper's concept of "Christian Hedonism," which holds that "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him."

Piper's view of saving faith has evolved over the years, influenced by his reading of Scripture and the work of theologians such as Jonathan Edwards. He acknowledges that his definition of faith as including an affectional dimension of treasuring Christ is controversial and has been met with resistance, particularly from those within the Reformed tradition. However, he maintains that this understanding of faith is essential for a genuine and transformative relationship with God.

Faith and Christian Hedonism

John Piper's philosophy of Christian Hedonism is a radical version of the Christian faith, which asserts that conversion is the creation of a Christian Hedonist. This philosophy is based on the importance of happiness and the belief that God is most glorified when humans are most satisfied with Him. Piper's view of conversion involves receiving Jesus as a treasure, a Saviour, and a Lord, which is essential for saving faith.

Piper's understanding of saving faith is centred on the idea of receiving Christ as a treasure. He argues that faith must include an emotional or affectional dimension, where Christ is treasured and found satisfying. This is in contrast to a view of faith as simply trust or belief. Piper suggests that saving faith is more than just intellectual assent; it involves a spiritual emotion, awakened by the Holy Spirit, in response to the truth and worth of Christ. This affectional element is what makes faith saving.

Piper's view of Christian Hedonism and saving faith is connected to his understanding of conversion. He believes that conversion involves a turning from sin to righteousness and from Satan to God. However, he adds that conversion is also about receiving Christ as a treasure, which satisfies our deepest desires. This is where the idea of Christian Hedonism comes in – the belief that finding pleasure in God is not optional but necessary for saving faith.

Piper's philosophy has been criticised for potentially demanding a mature relationship with God from the very start of one's faith journey, rather than allowing for growth over time. However, Piper argues that saving faith is a miracle, a gift from God, and that it involves a dramatic change in one's heart, where Christ is seen as supremely glorious and satisfying.

In conclusion, John Piper's Christian Hedonism asserts that saving faith involves receiving Christ as a treasure, which satisfies our deepest desires and brings pleasure. This view of faith includes an affectional dimension, where Christ is treasured, and is seen as essential for true conversion and salvation.

Affections as Spiritual Emotions

John Piper's view of saving faith is that it is ""affectional", meaning that faith has an inherent emotional quality that is needed to make it saving. He argues that this affectional dimension is constituted by treasuring Christ. This treasuring of Christ is not the result of faith, but rather one of the "actings that constitute what faith is". This is a controversial view, especially within the Reformed tradition, which typically describes faith as knowledge, assent, and trust.

Piper's view is influenced by Jonathan Edwards, who believed that love is at the heart of faith, and that even faith arises from a principle of love. According to Edwards, the human soul has two faculties: reason and will. The affections are the lively inclinings of the will, or the vigorous and sensible exercises of the inclination and will of the soul. Spiritual affections, therefore, are inclinations toward God and his word, his ways, and his works when we have been born again to love, delight in, and praise God.

Piper agrees with Edwards, stating that there are natural affections and spiritual affections. Natural affections are strong but are not spiritual, as they are not born of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual affections, on the other hand, are awakened by the new birth and are directed toward God as beautiful, holy, and satisfying.

Piper's view is that some affections are "acts of faith" in both senses: they constitute part of what faith is, and they result from faith. The affections he has in mind are spiritual emotions, or a work of God's Spirit in us. There are affections that constitute part of what faith is, and there are affections that result from faith.

He gives the example of receiving Christ (John 1:12) as an "act of faith" in the sense that this is what faith is—a receiving of Christ. But when Paul says that love for people "issues from sincere faith" (1 Timothy 1:5), he is referring to an affection that results from faith. Faith is "acting" to produce love.

Piper's view on affections as spiritual emotions is a response to the common view that faith could be used to step away from any emotions, as expressed by George Michael's song "I Gotta Have Faith". Piper argues against this notion, stating that faith is not dispassionate but rather has an inherent emotional quality.

Affections Grow Over Time

In his book, *What Is Saving Faith?*, John Piper argues that faith is "affectional", meaning that it has an inherent emotional quality that is needed to make it saving. This claim is controversial, as it adds to the traditional description of faith as knowledge, assent, and trust. Piper's argument is that saving faith in Jesus Christ welcomes him forever as our supreme and inexhaustible pleasure.

However, this view can demand a radically mature relationship with God from the very start of one's faith journey. It does not allow for growth over time, which is a crucial aspect of the Christian life. As believers, we need to continually put on new measures of godliness and grow in our walk with Christ.

Piper's view emphasizes the need for a strong affectional response to God from the outset, which can be challenging for new believers. It is important to recognize that while affections are indeed a vital part of our faith, they should be seen as something that grows and deepens over time, rather than a requirement for salvation. This perspective aligns with the biblical description of our union with Christ as a marriage, where love and affection increase and deepen as we endure things together.

Therefore, while affections are essential, they should be seen as something that develops and strengthens over time, rather than a prerequisite for a genuine relationship with God. This understanding allows for a more gradual and organic growth in our faith, reflecting the process of sanctification.

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