Thursday, 29 October 2009
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The Roots of Endurance: Invincible Perseverance in the Lives of John Newton, Charles Simeon, and William Wilberforce (Swans Are Not Silent)
By John Piper
see relatedlessons on being tough and tender...
I've been reading, somewhat slower than normal, a book by John Piper. The third book in The Swans Are Not Silent series, it is titled The Roots of Endurance. A closer look at the lives of John Newton, Charles Simeon, and Willliam Wilberforce. I'm still in the first third of the book, just this morning finished the section on John Newton. Such a wealth of challenges and truths explained in one small chapter, that I'm reading it again and making some notes for myself before I move to the next one.
If you haven't read this series of books yet, you should - it's a fabulous way to acquaint yourself with some of the saints that came before us - and how they stood firm and spoke boldly for the truths of God. I believe it is the best biographical series I've ever read. The portions about John Newton focus mostly on his being both tough and tender, courageous and compassionate - able to stand for the truth and do it with humility, patience, and mercy.
This paragraph from Piper especially challenged me - and served to fine-tune my focus and prayers for myself and for others:
"O, how rare are the Christians who speak with a tender heart and have a theological backbone of steel. I dream of being one someday, and I long to be used by God in the ministry to produce such fruit. Oh, for Christians and pastors whose might in the truth is matched by their meekness. Whose theological acumen is matched by their manifest contrition. Whose heights of intellect are matched by their depths of humility. Yes, and the other way around! - whose relational warmth is matched by their rigor of study, whose bent toward mercy is matched by the vigilance of their biblical discernment, and whose sense of humor is exceeded by the seriousness of their calling."
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Comments (4)
I have one of Piper's books; "Desiring God", I think it is, which is in my stack to read one of these days...what a great quote above! And how true; so many who are tender, have little theological depth, and conversely, those with that "backbone" forget to be tender. Particularly with little children--those who Jesus loved and defended! Convicting...and timely as the holiday season is upon us!
Thank you for posting this. May the unchanging, solid Truth that we embrace motivate us to steady gentleness and humility.
Yes, I read this book last spring -- did you know his books are available online for free?! I like holding the book, myself, and marking it up -- but it's nice to see someone so desire to minister/teach and not charge, as John Piper does. Here's the link: http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/OnlineBooks/ByTitle/
A very few times in my life I have met people like this - people who are solidly in the Word, beholding Jesus and becoming more and more like Him...it is so beautiful and something to aspire to!