Filling Up the Afflictions of Christ
The cost of bringing the gospel to the nations in the lives of William Tyndale, Adoniram Judson and John Paton
by John Piper
Paperback
Price: £7.99
Publisher:IVP(Inter Varsity Press)
Published:09 September 2009
ISBN:978-1-844-74409-1
GoodBookStall Review:
In this book John Piper writes about three famous Christians who have served the Lord; Tyndale famous for the translating the Bible into English. Paton who evangelized some of the islands of the New Hebrides and Judson, a missionary in Burma.
Each one of these men’s lives and indeed that of their wives would be an incredible story of service to the Lord in their own right. Piper gives an insight into what they experienced both the highs and the lows when serving the Lord. This is shown by Judson who wrote, in 1832, to missionary candidates, ‘Bear in mind that a large proportion of those who come out on a mission to the East die within 5 years after leaving their native lands.’
However the real challenge of the book is about evangelism and the reality of suffering when serving God. Piper uses many passages from the Bible to show this including Luke 21;17 ‘you will be hated by all for my names sake.’ Piper makes it clear that this is not from some form of Christian Jihadist desire, as followers of Christ do not kill themselves and others in order to spread the Gospel. Christian Martyrdom is not sought out but is willingly accepted if necessary. Piper concludes by asking if the failure of us to spread the gospel in Muslim countries is caused by the lack of those who understand martyrdom could be an outcome in spreading the gospel in these countries. He asks ‘did early Christians remain underground in their faith?
This book raises serious issues about Christian service and should be read by all especially those wanting to serve in some form of missionary work.
Reviewer: Bob Stoneham (29/06/10)
In this book John Piper writes about three famous Christians who have served the Lord; Tyndale famous for the translating the Bible into English. Paton who evangelized some of the islands of the New Hebrides and Judson, a missionary in Burma.
Each one of these men’s lives and indeed that of their wives would be an incredible story of service to the Lord in their own right. Piper gives an insight into what they experienced both the highs and the lows when serving the Lord. This is shown by Judson who wrote, in 1832, to missionary candidates, ‘Bear in mind that a large proportion of those who come out on a mission to the East die within 5 years after leaving their native lands.’
However the real challenge of the book is about evangelism and the reality of suffering when serving God. Piper uses many passages from the Bible to show this including Luke 21;17 ‘you will be hated by all for my names sake.’ Piper makes it clear that this is not from some form of Christian Jihadist desire, as followers of Christ do not kill themselves and others in order to spread the Gospel. Christian Martyrdom is not sought out but is willingly accepted if necessary. Piper concludes by asking if the failure of us to spread the gospel in Muslim countries is caused by the lack of those who understand martyrdom could be an outcome in spreading the gospel in these countries. He asks ‘did early Christians remain underground in their faith?
This book raises serious issues about Christian service and should be read by all especially those wanting to serve in some form of missionary work.
Reviewer: Bob Stoneham (29/06/10)
