Providence

The providence of God is his purposeful sovereignty by which he will be completely successful in the achievement of his ultimate goal for the universe. God's providence carries his plans into action, guides all things toward his ultimate goal, and leads to the final consummation.

Pastor and author John Piper draws on a lifetime of theological reflection, biblical study, and practical ministry to lead readers on a stunning tour of the sightings of God's providence-from Genesis to Revelation-to discover the all-encompassing reality of God's purposeful sovereignty over all of creation and all of history.

Exploring the goal, nature, and extent of God's purposes for the world, Piper offers an invitation to know the God who holds all things in his hands yet remains intimately involved in the lives of his people.

Read Chapter 1

Table of Contents

Introduction: Four Invitations
A Definition and a Difficulty Chapter 1: What Is Divine Providence? Chapter 2: Is Divine Self-Exaltation Good News?

Part 1: The Ultimate Goal of Providence
Section 1: The Ultimate Goal of Providence before Creation and in Creation
Chapter 3: Before Creation
Chapter 4: The Act of Creation
Section 2: The Ultimate Goal of Providence in the History of Israel
Chapter 5: Overview: From Abraham to the Age to Come
Chapter 6: The Exodus Unfolds
Chapter 7: Remembering the Exodus
Chapter 8: The Law, the Wilderness, and the Conquest of Canaan
Chapter 9: The Time of the Judges and the Days of the Monarchy
Chapter 10: The Protection, Destruction, and Restoration of Jerusalem
Section 3: The Ultimate Goal of Providence in the Design and Enactment of the New Covenant
Chapter 11: The Designs of the New Covenant
Chapter 12: Christ's Foundational Act in Establishing the New Covenant
Chapter 13: The Entrance of Sin into Creation and the Glory of the Gospel
Chapter 14: The Glory of Christ in the Glorification of His People

Part 2: The Nature and Extent of Providence
Section 1: Setting the Stage
Chapter 15: Knowing the Providence of the God Who Is
Section 2: Providence over Nature
Chapter 16: The Loss and Recovery of a Theater of Wonders
Chapter 17: Earth, Water, Wind, Plants, Animals
Section 3: Providence over Satan and Demons
Chapter 18: Satan and Demons
Chapter 19: The Ongoing Existence of Satan
Section 4: Providence over Kings and Nations
Chapter 20: Israel's Divine King Is King of the Nations
Chapter 21: Human Kingship and the King of Kings
Chapter 22: To Know and Rejoice That the Most High Rules
Section 5: Providence over Life and Death
Chapter 23: A Bath of Truth and the Gift of Birth
Chapter 24: "The Lord Has Taken Away; Blessed Be the Name of the Lord"
Chapter 25: We Are Immortal till Our Work Is Done
Section 6: Providence over Sin
Chapter 26: Natural Human Willing and Action
Chapter 27: Things We Know and Do Not Need to Know
Chapter 28: Joseph: God's Good Meaning in a Sinful Act
Chapter 29: Israel Hated, Pharaoh Hardened, God Exalted, Helpless Saved
Chapter 30: Broken Families
Chapter 31: Deception and Dullness of Heart
Chapter 32: "Though He Cause Grief, He Will Have Compassion"
Chapter 33: A Wickedness God Especially Abhorred
Section 7: Providence over Conversion
Chapter 34: Our Condition before Conversion
Chapter 35: Three Biblical Pictures of How God Brings People to Faith
Chapter 36: Saving Faith as the Gift of Providence
Chapter 37: Driven Back to the Precious Roots of Election
Section 8: Providence over Christian Living
Chapter 38: Forgiveness, Justification, and Obedience
Chapter 39: God's Command-and-Warning Strategy
Chapter 40: "Those Whom He Called . . . He Glorified"
Chapter 41: Blood-Bought Zeal for Good Works
Chapter 42: "Working in Us That Which Is Pleasing in His Sight"
Chapter 43: Killing Sin and Creating Love by Faith
Section 9: The Final Achievement of Providence
Chapter 44: The Triumph of Missions and the Coming of Christ
Chapter 45: New Bodies, New World, Never-Ending Gladness in God Conclusion: Seeing and Savoring the Providence of God

Author:

John Piper is founder and lead teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. He served for thirty-three years as the pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is the author of more than fifty books.

Endorsements:

"In what is perhaps his most important book so far, John Piper demonstrates with great cogency and exegetical skill that God's providence 'is his purposeful sovereignty in which he will be completely successful in the achievement of his ultimate goal for the universe.' This book will enlarge your vision of God and thereby strengthen your faith."
--D. A. Carson, Cofounder and Theologian-at-Large, The Gospel Coalition

"There are many books by John Piper that I would recommend to believers because of the depth and freshness of thought in his writings. Providence will rank among the highest on the list. The breadth of God's providence that is covered here is breathtaking. Piper leaves no stone unturned! Read it and see for yourself. This is a landmark work!"
--Conrad Mbewe, Pastor, Kabwata Baptist Church, Lusaka, Zambia

"John Piper's magisterial book is a robust antidote to the weak view on God's providence held by many Christians today. His exposition of the subject is thorough in scope and saturated with biblical insight. Piper is a model of the pastor-theologian as he not only describes providence but also shows how our understanding of providence can deepen our lives."
--Tremper Longman III, Distinguished Scholar and Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies, Westmont College

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