Finally Alive: What Happens When We Are Born Again? - Softcover

John Piper

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1845504216 ISBN 13: 9781845504212

Publisher: Christian Focus Publications, 2009

Synopsis

When Jesus said to Nicodemus, ‘You must be born again’, the devout and learned religious leader was unsure what Jesus meant. It would seem nothing has changed. Today ‘born again Christians’ fill churches that are seen as ineffectual at best, and even characterised by the ‘mosaic’ generation as ‘unchristian’.

 

The term ‘born again’ has been devalued both in society and in the church. Those claiming to be ‘born again’ live lives that are indistinguishable from those who don’t; they sin the same, embrace injustice the same, covet the same, do almost everything the same.

 

Being ‘born again’ is now defined by what people say they believe. The New Testament however defines Christians very differently.

 

“When Jesus said to Nicodemus, “You must be born again” (John 3:7), he was not sharing interesting and unimportant information. He was leading him to eternal life... If he does that for you (or if he already has), then you are (or you will be) truly, invincibly, finally alive.” John Piper

About this title

Review:

"I cannot too strongly celebrate the publication of this book. Owing in part to several decades of dispute over justification and how a person is set right with God, we have tended to neglect another component of conversion no less important. Conversion under the terms of the new covenant is more than a matter of position and status in Christ, though never less: it includes miraculous Spirit-given transformation, something immeasurably beyond mere human resolution. It is new birth; it makes us new creatures; it demonstrates that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation. All the creedal orthodoxy in the world cannot replace it. The reason why "You must be born again" is so important is that you must be born again."

(D. A. Carson, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Illinois)

This is the most biblically grounded and theologically solid treatment of the new birth that you'll ever read.

(Sam Storms)

"This is an excellent book. It combines the virtues of clarity and comprehensiveness, maintaining lucidity withut skimping on truth or avoiding difficulty. It is a clarion call to get this essential doctrine right - for our own sakes, and for the sakes of our churches, our friends, and those who follow after us."

(Banner of Truth Magazine)

"For those curious about the Christian faith to those deeply committed to Christ and his ways, come read and behold the glory of any and every sinner's only hope―the miracle of the new birth that brings forth new life in Christ that will never end."

(Bruce Ware, Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky)

That prolific author John Piper has done it again. We dare not allow the new birth to be lost in the mists of our activity and emphasis. Often we hear sports commentators say that a certain mature sportsman has been 'born again' meaning that he is having another season of success following a dark period. The new birth should never be regarded as merely 'having another go'.

John Piper, with consummate skill, sets forth the Biblical doctrine of the new birth in all its magnificence and radical impact on lives that were formerly without form and void.

(Founder of New Frontiers and well known Bible Teacher)

This book is an invaluable asset to the church. It should be read and its message spread! Piper takes every reader by the hand and leads them through the material in a way that ensures those who are new to it all will not feel out of their depth. At the same time, those who have been through it before are guaranteed to either see things they have not noticed before, or see what they do know in new light.

(The Monthly Record- Free Church of Scotland Magazine)

"Many will be thankful that John Piper is here addressing the key need of our times. Every awakening begins with the renewed discovery of Christ's teaching on the new birth. Here is that amazing teaching in lucid yet comprehensive form; with a relevance to readers worldwide."

(Iain Murray)

"Nothing could be more eternally important than Christian people knowing what the Bible teaches about the new birth and knowing that they have experienced it. One wonders why it's taken so long for a book on the new birth to be written! But now it has and I pray every reader rejoices in God for the rich beauties of Christ Jesus so compellingly shared in its pages."

(Thabiti Anyabwile, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands)

"Regeneration, or new birth, meaning simply the new you through, with, in, and under Christ, is a largely neglected theme today, but this fine set of sermons, criss-crossing the New Testament data with great precision, goes far to fill the gap. Highly recommended."

(J .I. Packer, Professor of Theology, Regent College, Vancouver, Canada)

"It is an incisive examination of a topic of profound importance. I think it represents Piper at his very best as an author...Piper's tone is gracious and compassionate throughout this book. He shows the heart of a pastor from the first page to the last. But he also shows the skill of a theologian and the passion of a prophet...I cannot recommend this book too highly. I really believe it is Piper's best."

(Challies.com)

Book Description:

The term ‘born again’ has been devalued both in society and in the church

About this edition

• Publisher: Christian Focus Publications
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1845504216
• ISBN 13: 9781845504212
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 208