Introduction

Piper states that we must see and savor Jesus Christ. The rest of the book will develop that theme by examining various aspects of the character of Christ.

I agree in principle with what Piper is saying. I do have an issue with the terminology that he uses. We need to be careful to make sure that our terminology is Scriptural. Those who framed the Nicene creed debated whether they should use the word "homoousios" because it was not a Scriptural word.

The Scripture certainly tells us that, spiritually, we need to look upon Christ dying for us in order to find life in him. We see this in the analogy with the serpent that Moses lifted up in the wilderness, stated in John 3:14-15.

But where in the Scripture are we told to "savor" Christ? The NIV and ESV do not use the word "savor" at all. The AV uses the form "savour" as a verb only twice, in the parallel accounts in Matthew 16:23 and Mark 8:33. These verses give the rebuke of Jesus to Peter after Peter tried to convince him not to go to the cross. The ESV renders both as "setting your mind on."

What do the Scriptures tell us to do with Christ?

• Believe in him
• Trust him
• Love him
• Be baptized in his name
• Come to him and take his yoke on us
• Worship him
• Pray in his name
• Do good for others in his name
• Serve him
• Obey him
• Love his people
• Proclaim him to the world

Chapter 1

Piper states that our purpose is to see, enjoy, and show the glory of God. He also states that the universe was created to show the glory of God.

I will agree with the first statement, but I would add something. We should live so as to bring glory to God.

I have a bit more of a problem with the second statement. I see the Scripture as saying that God created the heavens and the earth, and that they do show his glory. I do not see the Scripture as saying directly that God created them in order to show his glory. I prefer the stance of C. S. Lewis, who said that he had no idea why God had created the whole vast universe, but that he certainly did not think that God did it to impress him.

Chapter 2

This chapter deals with the deity of Christ, and states that his glory and the glory of God the Father are one. I concur.

I am slightly troubled by the statement that Christ did not come to make much of us. That is true, as far as it goes. But Christ did come to make us much. He came to seek us and save us, to make us new, to do for us what we could not possibly do for ourselves. Both his life and his life-giving death were given in service to us, who do not deserve it but would have no hope without it.

It would be our duty to glorify God even if he had not saved us. It is our joy to glorify God because he has saved us.

I guess I am seeing this as a question of whether we best glorify God by recognizing his glory, or by doing good works that he has enabled us to do, in order to bring him glory.

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