“What’s at risk?” I asked the midwife, as my wife was being rushed down the hall for emergency C-Section. She was in labour and her uterus had begun to rupture.
She was silent at first, but then said weakly, “Mom and baby’s life.”
There I was, sitting outside the operating room, wondering if my wife and child would survive—and I wept. A tidal wave of fear and sadness came crashing over me.
Providence
John Piper
The medical team acted quickly and skillfully. After just a few minutes, I was given the good news that they had caught it just in time. The obstetrician told me that had we waited just a few more minutes, they both would’ve died.
Providential Preparation
Why do I write all this as the introduction to a book review?
Because during those few short minutes of panic and fear, I was simultaneously convinced in the goodness of God, his ability to intervene, and his sovereign purposes which were governing every millisecond of my waiting.
Three months of reading John Piper’s Providence prepared me for the three minutes waiting outside the operating room.
Three months of reading John Piper’s Providence prepared me for the three minutes waiting outside the operating room.
The Book
At a towering 711 pages, John Piper has given a gift to the church in this book. The doctrine of God’s Providence is often misunderstood and under appreciated, and Piper has masterfully written a work that will stand the test of time. The reason I believe this is because of how biblically grounded his arguments and conclusions are. Piper is a Bible man, and this book on providence is drawn from the river of Scripture.
The book is divided into 3 parts:
- A Definition and A Difficulty
- The Ultimate Goal of Providence
- The Nature and Extent of Providence
Part 1 lays the immense foundation of God’s providence, namely that God “sees to it that things happen in a certain way” (p. 30). Here, Piper stresses how providence and sovereignty are not interchangeable words. Sovereignty is God’s right to govern, and providence is God’s direct activity to “see to it” that all things happen according to his sovereign will, to the praise of his glorious grace.
Part 2 is a thematic Bible commentary, tracing the theme of God’s providence from Genesis to Revelation. In addition to a view of providence before creation and in the act of creation, Piper guides his readers slowly throughout the history of Israel:
- Overview, From Abraham to the Age to Come
- The Exodus Unfolds
- Remembering the Exodus
- The Law, the Wilderness and the Conquest of Canaan
- The Time of The Judges and the Days of the Monarchy
- The Protection, Destruction, and Restoration of Jerusalem
…and the Design and Enactment of the New Covenant:
- The Designs of the New Covenant
- Christ’s Foundational Act in Establishing The New Covenant
- The Entrance of Sin into Creation and the Glory of the Gospel
- The Glory of Christ in the Glorification of His People
Part 3 then addresses God’s providence over specific subjects such as
- Nature
- Satan & demons
- Kings and nations
- Life and death
- Sin
- Conversion
- Christian living
Why and How You Should Read “Providence”
This is a book for every Christian. Some buy big theological books to display on their shelf, with rare reference. But this is truly a book to turn to regularly. What is the driving power behind the events and people of the Bible? When a personal (or global) crisis arises, can we be assured that God truly is “seeing to it” according to his infinite wisdom and plans for human history? This book will increase your vision of God for who he truly is, and how he is purposefully sovereign in all things—from the molecular to the cosmic level.
There are two ways you can read this book, and both are very good ways. First, you can use this as a reference tool (i.e. in personal devotions, bible study prep, ad hoc encouragement when considering the events in your life). Secondly, you can read this book cover to cover. That may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. I brought this book to work and read 10-15 pages a day on my coffee and lunch breaks. Small and regular consumption will eat a giant elephant (or theological book).
Some of the payoff might come in the course of your reading, as Piper’s expert handling of the topic through the lens of Scripture edifies and encourages you. And maybe, just maybe, one day you’ll be in a situation like mine outside an operating room and desperately need a deep well of confidence in God. As D.A. Carson wrote in his endorsement, “This book will enlarge your vision of God and thereby strengthen your faith.”
8 Notable Quotes
“When we let our eye scan the galaxies at night, we should be glad that they were flicked out with God’s little finger (Ps. 8:3), and are totally dependent for every millisecond of their existence on his thought (Heb. 1:3).”
“The prizing and proclamation of God’s pervasive providence was forged in flames of hatred and love, deceit and truth, murder and mercy, carnage and kindness, cursing and blessing, mystery and revelation, and, finally, crucifixion and resurrection.”
“My sense is that in the twenty-first-century church, we are more likely to feel God’s mercy as a presumed right rather than a mind-blowing surprise.”
“It must infuriate Satan that God’s ways are so pure and brilliant that Satan not only fails to obstruct them but unwittingly serves them.”
On Jonah 4:7: “God governs the underground world of worms and commands them to be where he wants them to be for his purposes.”
“Things don’t just happen for God’s glory; they happen for God’s glory because the pervasive providence of God sees to it that they happen that way. This is the goal of providence.”
“The situation was not that Egypt deserved to be judged for its arrogance and Israel deserved to be saved for her righteousness. Neither deserved to be saved. But God freely chose to save Israel.”
“The purpose of God’s providence was that his glory be exalted as his people treasured and enjoyed him as their supreme portion.”
Published first here. Used with permission.
