Well, girls. After a bit of a delayed journey, we have finally come to the last chapter of Spectacular Sins.

I can’t even begin to express how slowly digesting this book together with you has bolstered my faith in our sovereign and trustworthy God. To use Piper’s terms, the weighty doctrine presented in this smallish volume has been steel to my spine and silk to my soul. May God give us wisdom to discern where on the spectrum of hard and soft, of cunning and innocence, of strength and vulnerability we should situate ourselves in every single circumstance we face.

Today’s chapter deals with the murder of Jesus – the most spectacular sin of all. I’ve decided in ending our discussion to note a few of my favorite quotes and let you remark on those.

I’m sad to see this end, but it’s unavoidable so let’s get to it!

1. Quote: “My prayer is that as these great historical vistas of God’s sovereignty over sin take their place in your mind they would have a profoundly practical effect in making you strong in the face of breath-stopping sorrows and making you bold for Christ in the face of dangerous opposition – Christ-exalting strength in calamity and Christ-exalting courage in conflict.” (p. 98)

Question: What practical ways have the truths of this book strengthened your own faith? Can you describe any situations which have brought SS to mind as you’ve dealt with them?

2. “Satan does not take innocent people captive. There are no innocent people. Satan has power where sinful passions hold sway. Judas was a lover of money, and he covered it with a phony, external relationship with Jesus. And then he sold him for thirty pieces of silver. How many of his ilk are still around today! Don’t be one. And don’t be duped by one.” (p.100)

Question: Can you pinpoint a time in your life when you’ve fallen prey to a Judas – or worse – when you’ve been a Judas yourself?

3. “His [Jesus'] face was set like flint to die, and Satan concluded that there was no stopping him. Therefore, he resolved that if he couldn’t stop it, he would at least make it as ugly and painful and as heartbreaking as possible. Not just death, but death by betrayal. Death by abandonment. Death by denial. Death by torture. If he could not stop it, he would drag others into it and do as much damage as he could. It was a spectacular sequence of sins that brought Jesus to the cross.”

Question: Understanding first of all that I am in no way saying anyone could ever suffer the agony Jesus suffered, can you describe either a personal experience or one of which you are aware that could qualify as an ugly death? I’m asking this question symbolically though I realize some of you may have been touched by this literally. If the death was symbolic, have you yet seen the resurrection? If the death was literal, what strength do you gather from knowing a resurrection is coming?

(I hope that question makes sense. My Boy Two often says, “Can I buy a vowel?” when I ask ambiguous questions during our nightly devotions. Yes, my poor kids have to suffer me, too.)

4. ..”if God were not the main Actor in the death of Christ then the death of Christ could not save us from our sins, and we would perish in hell forever. The reason the death of Christ is the heart of the gospel – the heart of the good news – is that God was doing it. Romans 5:8: “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” If you separate God’s activity from the death of Jesus, you lose the gospel.”

Question: Describe any fresh insights you’ve gained on God’s involvement in Jesus’ death.

5. “The most spectacular sins are not signs of ultimate absurdity. Satan is the ultimately irrational being. And much of what he is allowed to do will have the mark of senselessness on it.” (p. 107 – Closing Prayer)

Question: This statement makes me think of Heath Ledger’s Joker in the last Batman movie. A mind set on madness. And not because he is delusional enough to believe he can ultimately win, but because as he unravels, he wants to take as many with him as possible.

How can viewing Satan from this perspective open our eyes to whose side we are on when we grumble against God? Have you ever blamed the wrong person for your misery?

I would like to leave you with a portion of Piper’s closing prayer for us, the readers. Because I can’t say it any more beautifully, I’ll hope he won’t mind if I adopt to pray it for you as well. Blessings on each of you who participated and thank you for seeing this Book Club through to completion! Also, many thanks to Missy without whose partnership I wouldn’t have dared attempted such a thing. I love you, friend!

“Grant to our minds and hearts
new and deeper capacities to see and savor
the glories of Jesus Christ.
With every new glimpse of his glory in your word,
let there awaken new affections in our hearts.
Ignite our souls to treasure Christ in a way that
destroys our sinful lusts
and delights the deepest recesses of our being
and displays his truth and beauty
to a world that does not know
that this is what it needs more than anything.

And from this all-satisfying treasuring of Christ
may there flow a liberation from selfishness,
and a triumph over bitterness and anger,
and a freedom from worry and fear,
and victory over depression and discouragement,
and the severing of ever root of sensual lust,

All this freedom, Lord, we see for the sake of love.

Hello ladies!! Our brains are back from Spring Break – hope your’s are too. Let’s dive into “The Sinful Origins of the Son of David”.

1. Why did the Israelites demand an earthly king? Why did they want to be “like other nations”?

2. Piper discusses how God does things “for His own name’s sake.” What does this mean?

3. Can you tell of a time when God gave you something that you wanted, but didn’t need? What were the repercussions? Can you see how God ultimately used it for “His own name’s sake”?

4. Samuel said, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil.” Does this give you comfort, if so, how?

Just one more chapter ladies! I hope this book is blessing your view of our sovereign Lord.

Love, Missy

Here we are in week six and I’m so excited you are still hanging in! Can you believe we are halfway through this book? I hope considering it together has been a great help to you in truly absorbing the material.

Today we are going to think about the spectacular sin of Joseph being sold by his brothers into slavery. Specifically, let’s look at the paragraph on page 81 which says, “The brothers meant the sale of Joseph as evil, but God meant it for good. Notice it does not say that God used their evil for good, after they meant it for evil. It says that in the very act of evil, there were two different designs: In the sinful act, they were designing evil, and in the same sinful act, God was designing good.”

As I was re-reading this chapter today, I was simultaneously watching Lord of the Rings for the umpteenth time. In the last installment, The Return of the King, Frodo is deceived by Gollum into entering the lair of Shelob, an enormous spider. (Hang with me, I’m going somewhere here.) Frodo is bitten by the spider and appears to be dead when he is found by a band of orcs and taken deep into Mordor – his intended destination. (You can watch the clip here.)

Point being, Frodo never dreamed being paralyzed by a venomous spider would be the way by which he was delivered to the desired end. But, in the same vein of Joseph’s’ trials, the one event that was intended to kill him served in helping him destroy the evil that originally intended it. Make sense?

I’m just going to ask one mini-series of questions today because I think it is important that we give adequate thought to the fact that God isn’t simply reacting to evil perpetuated against us by figuring out a way He can later twist it to good. In fact, He is equally present in the planning stages except His intentions in that same act are for our good and His glory. I hope you are equally encouraged in knowing that Satan is never allowed to act independently of God’s goodness. I know so many things that happen to us do not seem good at all, but may we be like Joseph who was able to recognize God used the brothers to “send him to Egypt in order to preserve many lives”.

Now let’s talk:

Looking back, describe an event that was both intended as evil and good. Are you allowing God’s purposes to prevail or have you been content in accepting the evil consequences? Explain.

One thing that really resonated with me was Joseph’s faithfulness no matter what was perpetrated against him. Are we being faithful in less than desirable situations so that God can make the most of them? How are lives being preserved as a result of your experience?

Blessings on you, girls! I will enjoy reading your testimonies to God’s goodness toward you.

Okay, girls. Better late than never! Let’s get to it on Chapter Four of Spectacular Sins!

I’m not sure to what extent you enjoy deep theology but I have to admit that my mind wants to shut down when I feel myself beginning to think in circles. For me, the sovereign, He’s-got-the-whole-world-in-His-hands view of God is the blanket I wrap up in when I can’t tie a tidy bow around some deep concept of Scripture. This week, that idea is God’s causative will versus His permissive will. When I read Proverbs 16:4 which says, “The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble“, the first questions that come to mind are : “Does that mean God creates evil and disease and calamity? Isn’t that against all He is?” And when it gets too much to consider, my faith stamps “GOD IS ALWAYS GOOD” on it and puts it to bed.

And that’s easy enough for me to do because I’ve never faced the devastations many of you have. It’s easy for me to say because I have faith as a background where many people with these same questions do not. I suppose I love this book so because it gives order to the many beliefs I have but don’t quite know how to express to those searching for a true representation of God’s character. As much as I don’t want to voice the words, I am also aware I am not immune to some unimaginable grief. God forbid calamity happen, but if it does, I want an overflowing reserve of Truth to bandage to my tire-ironed heart.

But there are many of you who have faced the worst-case-scenario. The child is gone. The husband left. The money disappeared overnight. What then? Is there a purpose for the evil or are the details of our lives left to random chance? Worse yet, did God cause it by not preventing it? All difficult but valid questions to which there is but one solution: We believe and trust God and we do not accept any answer to any question that in any way degrades His holiness and/or the fact He is FOR His children always.

I’ve said all of this to set up what is perhaps the foundational truth of this chapter as quoted from Frances Schaeffer: God is the God who is there. Page 59 states “We don’t make Him, He makes us. We don’t decide what He is going to be like. He decides what we are going to be like. He created the Universe, and it has the meaning He gives it, not the meaning we give it. If we give it a meaning different from His, we are fools. And our lives will be tragic in the end.”

So considering Proverbs 16:4 already referenced, I back up to page 56 which says, “God has done this (made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble) in His own mysterious way that preserves the responsibility of the wicked and the sinlessness of His own heart. We should humble ourselves if we cannot explain how this can be. We are told that it is so. Beware of bringing to the Bible assumptions that are not taught in the Bible. That is how God’s word is nullified.”

We are told that it is so. When did that stop being enough? God told Eve it was so in the garden and yet she listened to the voice which asked, “Did God really say…?” The most dangerous place in which to find oneself is with one ear to the Word and one ear to the world. The Word says God’s goodness and love and mercy and forgiveness and redemption and justice are so. The world tells us we are closed-minded and weak for swallowing an archaic religion without question.

We are going to approach this week’s discussion a little differently. I know there was much more to this chapter than what I’ve presented but I believe this issue of why bad things happen to “good people” is one that is foundational in our arsenal of answers for those who do not yet believe in Christ. It’s a huge hangup and one which we need to be able to address biblically.

So here is the one scenario I have for you today:

You are in a coffee shop reading your Bible. A stranger sits beside you and asks, “How can you believe in a God who allows terrorists to fly into towers or children to starve and die?”

Based on all we’ve learned so far, what do you say?

Chapter 3 ladies! I am so glad to join you once again!

I open this week’s discussion questions with one that my five year old son, Shepherd, asked me recently. “When Satan became a bad guy angel and God kicked him outta heaven, did he lose his wings?”

Things that make you go hmmm.

Perhaps we should email Piper and ask him what he thinks?

Moving on...

1. On page 40 Piper tells us that the name Satan means “accuser.” Do you ever feel accused? I know I do. Sometimes I lie in bed at night and obsess over all the ways I have failed throughout the day, or I relive all the sins of my past. Turn in your bibles (or click here) to read Romans 8:1-2. What does this verse say? If this is true, from whom are all those accusations of failure? What then should we do when our thoughts go there? What is the difference between condemnation of our sin by the Evil One and conviction of our sin by the Holy Spirit?

2. How does God allowing Satan to live bring glory to Christ?

3. Read the ‘Eight Things to Do with Evil” and “Four Things to Never Do with Evil” lists on pages 50-51. Which of these do you have the most problem with?

4. Recall Piper’s introduction, specifically pages 13-16 when he speaks of persecution of the Church. Since December I have been praying for Martha Samuel Makkar. She is an Egyptian sister in Christ who converted from Islam, and has faced persecution ever since. In December, she was arrested at the airport when she tried to emigrate to Russia. Martha was placed in prison, tortured, raped, and her two and four year old sons were denied food in an attempt to cause her to renounce Christ. She was recently released on bail and is awaiting trial. You can read her story here and here (and please join me in praying!)

How might the truths Piper has conveyed in this chapter regarding evil – the “weighty doctrine” – bring comfort to Martha and her family while she undergoes persecution for Christ?

Can’t wait to hear what y’all have to say, sisters! I couldn’t comment to many of you last time because immediately afterward my family got slammed by the flu (which God allowed in order to glorify Christ!) But this time, I’m ready God willing, so bring ‘em on. :)

Love, Missy

**Note from Lisa: There are two weekend posts that PW’s need to see…Be sure to scroll down (or click over here from your reader) after you’ve answered Missy’s Marvelous Questions. Don’t y’all LOVE her?”

I have to begin by telling you how incredibly proud I am of all the hard work you girls are putting forth in this book club! I know all this material is lofty but I truly pray that a fresh understanding and appreciation for the sovereignty of God is taking hold in your Spirit. Your answers are very insightful and I’ve enjoyed reading each and every one. FYI: I’ve had several emails from those who weren’t able to start at the beginning but aren’t sure if they can still participate. OF COURSE YOU CAN! Anyone is SO welcome to jump in every chance you get so please don’t hesitate to join the discussion.

Many things resonated with me in last weeks responses but I got a little stuck on Kelly’s (Love Well) quote here:

“I actually think it’s easier to magnify God in the big trials of life, because we are pushed to the limits then. We either magnify God or die. I find it harder to continue to choose His glory in the mundane details of life, when it’s tempting to slide into mediocrity, one inch at a time.”

Is anyone but me feeling that one? I think Kelly’s response speaks to where many of us live and that is our propensity to throw ourselves at the feet of Jesus only when circumstances are dire and not so much when we’ve had to clean up one too many poopy messes that day. Often it’s not the tire iron to the heart that gets me, it’s the constant yet lesser tappings that make me want to give up and try again later.

Obviously a woman reading who has lost a child or endured divorce or is battling a life-threatening illness may argue that mediocrity brought on by the exhaustion of motherhood or a lackluster faith born out of apathy are not comparable. On the most obvious level I wholeheartedly agree. But when we get right down to it, anything and I do mean ANYTHING, whether it be life’s trivia or trauma that robs God of the glory due Him in my book is spectacular indeed. As we learn in Chapter Two, ALL things were made by, through, and for Christ and therefore we must surrender every single event in order to display His greatness.

Oh my goodness. I have no idea if that made any sense whatsoever. I’ll be trusting the Holy Spirit to make the appropriate applications if any are indeed in order. :)

Let’s get to our questions!~

Chapter Two

1. I loved your quotes so much from the first session I’m going to ask you to share your favorite from this chapter!

2. Re-read Colossians 1:15-16. Piper makes special mention that of all the things Paul could list that were made by, through, and for Christ, that he specifically mentions evil powers. In answering why Paul did this, Piper pulls an example from 2 Timothy 1:8 to show how he used weighty doctrine to address Timothy’s practical issues of anxiety and fear that threatened the effect of his ministry. Considering Paul thought the ‘heavy’ things of God would help Timothy deal with everyday matters, how does knowing God created beings that He knew would turn from good to evil translate to your everyday life? (Use paragraphs 2 and 3 of page 36 to help form your thoughts.)

3. Five summary statements are given on p. 37 as to why God wants us to know the truth of Christ’s sovereignty over ‘rulers and authorities’ and the way they are involved in the most spectacular sins of the universe. Which one is most meaningful to you? How does it comfort you and/or give you courage against the evil that we know has been disarmed by Christ?

4. Okay, this question is more of an assignment. Look at the previous commenter’s answers and respond to one of her(his?) insights. If you are the first commenter, you can refer to this original post. Let’s get some discussion going! :)

This was a short chapter so we’ll stop here. Looking so forward to hearing your thoughts!

Hello my Spectacular Sistahs! (I could say Spectacular Sinning Sistahs, but, nah!) I am so excited to dive into Chapter One with you!

Alrighty, let’s go. Remember to post your answers in the comments, but please go ahead and post them on your blog as well.

Here comes the hard part. I hope you read the footnote on page 24. If you are like me, you read it several times, then out loud, then needed to discuss it with someone. We’re loving the Lord with all our minds! Answer these as best you can (it’s okay if you are fuzzy – we’re only in chapter one):

a. Does he allow you to sin?

c. Does he allow temptation to come before you?

Can’t wait to read your replies!

Blessings,

Missy

TUESDAY UPDATE: WOW! You girls have no idea how much I am loving your responses. Your thoughts on ‘Wimpy Doctrine’ in Question 4 really have me brewing on how should be as alert to the absence of truth as we are to outright lies.

Obviously these questions require some thought and some comments are still trickling in. I’ll leave the this post open until Thursday and then do some type of wrap up at that time. So far I see 18 of you but roll call said 40+. We’re waiting, girls!! (And boys??)

Sound Good?

*************************************************
Welcome!

I am SO excited to finally begin our Spectacular Sins Book Club! I’ve shared with you on several occasions that the author, John Piper, is among my favorite theologians. Spectacular Sins has done for me in the area of God’s Sovereignty the same that Desiring God did with the concept of Christian Hedonism. His writing is heady, but girls, if you’re gonna go deeper you gotta think deeper.

So here’s how this thing will work:

Each Monday there will be a post here from either myself or Missy covering the chapter for that week. When I say cover, I mean we will post questions to help internalize the material and give you the opportunity to share insights. A scholar I’m not but if you have a really deep question that I can’t answer, then expect a visit from The Preacher. He’s really smart. (And good looking. Can’t forget that part.) Missy can probably answer her own questions because she’s just awesome like that.

Please number your responses with the corresponding question and post your answers in the comments. At this point, Missy and I feel the best conversation will take place if all our remarks are in one place. If you are inspired to write your own post, by all means feel free to place your link in the comments but please know that for the sake of time and clarity that she and I will be responding on this post only. Also, please try to keep your answers concise so everyone will be able to read all the replies.

I think that covers the details for now so, without further delay, here are my thoughts and some questions for you from The Introduction of Spectacular Sins…

Introduction

1. Let’s ease into this. I’m a huge quote girl so tell us, what is your favorite quote from the Introduction? What about it resonated with you? (Try to keep the quote to two sentences. I only say that because I find myself quoting entire paragraphs!)

2. Piper opens the book by describing the most spectacular sin ever committed – that of the murder of Jesus Christ. What does he say the commission of this sin actually accomplished? (p.12, paragraph 2) How do you interpret the phrase, “He made evil commit suicide in doing its worse evil”?

3. How is evil defined? (p.12, paragraph 3) How does the understanding that “the apex of evil achieved the apex of the glory of Christ” impact your thinking? How will you allow this truth to shape your thinking when you are tempted to ask ‘why’ in the midst of calamity?

4. I was stopped cold when I read, “The coddled Western world will sooner or later give way to great affliction. And when it does, whose vision of God will hold? And also, “Christians in the West are weakened by wimpy worldviews. And wimpy worldviews make wimpy Christians.” (p. 13 paragraph 4). Continuing along that line of thought, what false teachings do you recognize as being popular but unable to prepare us for catastrophe? In what ways have you discovered you’ve been influenced by those those lies?

5. Piper states that the purpose of Spectacular Sins is not “to meet felt needs, but to awaken needs that will soon be felt, and then to save your faith and strengthen your courage when evil prevails.” (p. 16) If you feel compelled, share a time when evil prevailed in your own life. Refer back to Question Two and give God praise if He has revealed how that evil served His glory. Also feel free to note any relevant Scripture God used for your healing. I know this will be a difficult exercise for many. Please know we will be so tender with your responses and will pray with you if you are in a place of suffering.

The Introduction concludes with one of my favorite thoughts: “There will be much to endure. Without a way of seeing the world that can deal with massive evil and unremitting pain under the supremacy of Christ, we will collapse in self-pity or rage.”

Perhaps the chief complaint of the wayward believer or scoffing pagan is that God allows unjust calamity. My own conclusion is that, while we are designed to long for Heaven, we mistakenly expect to find it here. Think about that. We want eternal life. Freedom from sickness or sadness or pain. We desire an absence of evil. We want all that Jesus Christ offers to those who persevere through this present age. If we were given all these things on earth now, the Person on whom we place our hope would have no value. This earth stands in quickly deteriorating contrast for what is to come. Every heartbreak, every disillusionment, every catastrophe reminds me to lift my head, for my redemption draws nigh (Luke 21:28). God help us if this is all there is! Why hope for a Savior if the things for which we long can be provided by a president or friend or child? No, there is more and if Christ is not raised and if He has not prepared a better place, we are indeed to be pitied above all (wo)men.

And though we groan, let us not be found pitiful. Though we are pressed, let us not be crushed or destroyed because we were not prepared for suffering. These thoughts and many more are why I felt it important to introduce this book to you and for us to work through it together so that hopefully we will develop that ‘spine of steel’ we need to overcome.

So hang in here with us. I think you’ll be glad you did.

Okay, it’s your turn!

P.S. Feel free to use the button code above as a Quick Link in your Sidebar!

Before I give the particulars, I have to tell you I am so excited to co-host this little exploit with my dear friend Missy at It’s Almost Naptime. I appreciate her insight, her love for God’s Word, and her flat out funniness. I hope together we can facilitate a meaningful discussion on this all important topic of God’s sovereignty over every last detail of our lives.

I don’t want to jump ahead but I must share with you a paragraph from the Introduction to flavor of our considerations of this book. While speaking of the ‘Success of Sin in the Providence of God’ (p. 17) the author, John Piper, says:

“My aim is to show that sin and evil, no matter how spectacular, never nullify the decisive, Christ-exalting purposes of God. No, my aim is more than that. These spectacular sins do not just fail to nullify God’s purpose to glorify Christ, they succeed, by God’s unfathomable providence, in making his gracious purpose to come to pass. This truth is the steel God offers to put into the spine of his people as they face the worst calamities. There will be tenderness in due time. But if the back of our faith is broken because we think God is evil or absent, who will welcome Him when He comes with caresses?” {final emphasis mine}

Above all things, we must be thoroughly persuaded God is guarding his glory and our souls even when it feels like He’s killing us – or allowing us to be killed. That truth is indeed the bedrock of how we process every evil that comes against us. If we are the display of God’s glory, then we have the power to choose to whom we’ll ascribe it. Will we allow it to be squelched by the darkness that so desperately wants to snuff it out or will we magnify it in the brilliance that is Christ?

Okay, I’m not going to get started but that’s just a tiny taste of the awesomeness in this book! Moving on, here’s how we are going to proceed:

1. The Book Club will begin on Monday, January 19th and will continue each Monday until we are done.

2. You can still order a copy of the book in my left sidebar. Have the Introduction read by the time we meet on January 19th. Don’t skip it! It’s as rich as the chapters!

3. Missy and I will be alternating as hosts of the discussion. This blog will be home base so there won’t be any confusion about where to go and when. We will be doing some video, maybe some live chat. When we figure it out you’ll be the first to know.

4. There are still other details to be worked out but I’ll have those ready come time for the Intro. In the meantime if you have any questions, please ask them in the comments.

ONE LAST THING!

Let’s do a Roll Call. If you are planning to participate, please leave a comment with your name and state. This will give us a basic idea of the size group and help us determine how to style the discussion (i.e. in comments only or asking you to write your own post, etc.) Most importantly, I want to know your sweet names so we can build some community!

Okay, so that’s it for now. Yay! Let’s do this!