Book Review: Finally Alive, by John Piper

Synopsis: There are very few doctrines, if any, that are more central to the distinction between true Christianity and false religion than the doctrine of the new birth, or regeneration. When a very religious Nicodemus sought Jesus out by night, it was the doctrine of the new birth that proved him an unbeliever, still dead in his sins. When the gnostic heretics were filling the church with confusion in John’s day, it was the doctrine of the new birth, over and over again, that he used to distinguish true believers from false imposters. And so today, if we would learn what it really is to be a Christian – what distinguishes a true Christian from a merely religious person, how a person becomes a true Christian, what true Christianity looks like in a person’s everyday life – it must be the biblical teaching on the doctrine of regeneration that informs our understanding. John Piper’s new book, Finally Alive, is a lucid and compelling study of this vital doctrine. Argued adroitly from a wide range of scriptural passages, and applied poignantly and appropriately to the state of the Church in modern America, Finally Alive cannot fail to have a dramatic impact on our understanding of what a Christian really is, how we can examine our own hearts to discern if we are truly in the faith, and how we can labor more passionately and effectively for the gospel-accomplishment of regeneration in the hearts of those all around us and across the world who are still dead in trespasses and sins. This is not just first-rate exegesis – it is convicting, practical, exhortational material. Highly recommended!

In the world of American Evangelicalism, there are few catch-phrases more widely-used than the term “born again”. In fact, this biblical term has even spread beyond the bounds of professing Christendom, and has become deeply rooted in American culture at large. But do those who use the phrase “born again” understand what the bible actually intends by that phrase? In the vast majority of cases, it is clear that they do not. But the true biblical teaching on what it means to be born again is far too important to give up to the haze of widespread misunderstanding. An accurate and scriptural explanation of what the new birth really comprises is a most pressing need for the modern church.

Finally Alive, by John Piper, fulfills that need admirably. In his book, Piper explains just what it means to be born again, and shows how the scriptural teaching on that subject is designed to give all glory to God, and to cast us in utter dependence upon him. Then, he explains just why this sovereign creation of new, spiritual life is so necessary – why we need it because of our natural hopeless condition and why we need it for the great and precious promises that it secures for us. In his heartfelt and understandable way, he explains the whole scriptural testimony about the process by which it comes about, and the chain of events it unfailingly sets in motion in the life of those upon whom it is wrought. And finally, in keeping with his ever-present passion for missions and evangelism, Piper spends the last chapters exhorting believers everywhere to give their lives to laboring to bring about the divinely-wrought miracle of the new birth through the human means of gospel proclamation, the seed of the living and abiding word of truth through which God’s Spirit stirs up the dead to life, filling hearts that had been stony with a living faith that works itself out in love.

The highlights of the book are, first, Piper’s incisive exegesis of key passages, among which the most notable are 1 Peter 1:13-25 and virtually the entire epistle of 1 John, which he unpacks throughout a very considerable portion of the book; and second, the practical, hortatory manner in which Piper deals with the topic; the doctrine of God’s utter sovereignty in the monergistic work of regeneration definitely does not and cannot lead to a passivity and apathy in our lives as Christians. The new birth gives life, which by its very nature exercises itself in believing, loving, practicing righteousness, spreading the good news of the gospel of Christ. If our lives are not characterized by these traits, then maybe a more accurate understanding of the biblical teaching on regeneration is just the means God may use to stir us up to love and good works. God grant that it might be so!

Available at Monergism Books.

6 Responses to “Book Review: Finally Alive, by John Piper”

  1. GARY DESTERKE says:
    February 14, 2009 at 11:23 am

    A Cautionary Note The soul’s regeneration, or “being born again,” is inextricably linked to predestination. I believe that this doctrine is a two edged sword. I grew up being taught to pray for “a new heart” so that I could believe and be saved. Implied was that regeneration was primary and something felt/ experienced so that one would know that he/ she was elect and could then confidently respond to the gospel offer. I suffered under this depressing delusion for many years and suffered major long-term depression because of it. I would recommend Matt Rogers’ “Losing God” (Intervarsity, 2008) as a similar case, and a study of what can happen. I am pleading for great care and gentleness in “reviving” this doctrine. Pastors and well-meaning brothers and sisters may well conclude that they or many of their fellow Christians are self-deceived, and this must be treated with the utmost delicacy. The doctrine of predestination, and the fact that we could never have acted faith without God working in us, are what JI Packer has called the family secret. It is also what Spurgeon described as what we learn when we enter the gate of salvation under the banner, “Whosoever will, may come,” only to look back at the gate through which we came and see, “Predestined from before the foundation of the world.” When one is appreciative of the one thing needful, the enormity of this being cast into doubt can lead to serious clinical depression, causing needless suffering. Many have suffered on this road.

  2. pitchford says:
    February 14, 2009 at 12:35 pm

    Hi Gary,

    I believe you’ll find that Pastor Piper does address this vital topic with “great care and gentleness,” and a pastoral concern for those to whom he is writing. The doctrine of regeneration (and predestination as well, for that matter) is very clearly taught in the scriptures, and is a necessary truth for our comfort, security, joy, and worship. That some may have misunderstood it or taught about it wrongly makes it all the more urgent that what the scriptures actually do have to say on the subject be taught accurately and faithfully. I thank God that Piper has undertaken to do this, for the edification of believers and the evangelization of those who have not yet come to Christ.

    By the way, I think it is a vastly helpful thing for many people in professing Christendom to be made to doubt or question the sincerity of their faith. Many people on the day of judgment will be surprised to hear Christ telling them, “I never knew you”. And thus the apostle Peter admonishes all believers everywhere to give diligence to make their calling and election sure, just as Paul tells us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (taking comfort from the knowledge that God is at work in us). If you (or other believers) are struggling with doubts, I would direct you to the book of 1 John, which is written to help believers examine themselves, and so come to assurance of their salvation. Pastor Piper deals with 1 John extensively in his book, by the way.

    Blessings in the Savior, Nathan

  3. Amy says:
    February 17, 2009 at 9:13 pm

    Maybe this will help Gary. He posted the same comment on my blog.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3dodm97SY4

    a voice crying out………….

  4. Jim says:
    March 10, 2009 at 11:08 am

    Having been a Christian pastor for over thirty years and very much a lover of the doctrines of grace for most of that time, I have been very pleased to read this excellent volume by our brother Piper. I much agree with Tim Challies on his assessment that this is undoubtedly Piper’s best and most easily comprehended book to date. I have spent the past five years re-learning this magnificent doctrine and am so thankful that this book lays it out so clearly. Two things I would mention – 1) I believe that your words “…God’s Spirit stirs up the dead to life,…” have a semblance of accuracy, but perhaps would better be stated as John has so wonderfully done that by uniting us to Christ, He has given us new life rather than just stirring us up. John’s analogy of Lazarus in the tomb is well used as in calling out to Lazarus Christ gave him life, and with that life Lazarus got up and came out. With the life “given”, Lazarus would have remained where he was. Just a thought.

    Secondly, on the response left by Gary, I’m really not sure what he’s getting at. In point of fact the doctrine of regeneration is one of the easiest to comprehend, predestination notwithstanding. Calvinists for years have rejoiced in it; Arminians have feared that which they simply do not understand. When the gospel is preached, and John explains this so well, our job for the most part is done. We don’t have to try and make a “call” that God alone through His Holy Spirit alone is capable of making. He saves – perfectly, completely and decidedly. As an unbeliever if I am encouraged to pray for a “new heart”, then perhaps that would be a good idea. But first the preaching of the Word when clearly done will bring my sinful soul to Calvary where by God’s grace He will show me the horrendous nature of my sin, and grant me the eyes to see and the heart to understand what separates me from a Holy God. Oh, again our brother John has laid this out so well. We do not need to “be delicate”, we need to be in the love of Christ truthful with the only truth that this world will ever see or know. Again, thanks for your review. In Christ, by His Grace Alone, Jim Sarnia, ON Canada

  5. pitchford says:
    March 10, 2009 at 11:14 am

    Hi Jim, thanks for stopping by.

    I fully agree that God has given us new life by uniting us to Christ. If my words “stir up” obscure that truth, then they were poorly chosen.

    Keep rejoicing in the glorious gospel of God’s grace!

    In the Savior, Nathan

  6. Mande says:
    April 20, 2011 at 10:21 am

    7qDhS3 Walking in the presence of giants here. Cool thnkniig all around!

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