The Power of Words and the Wonder of God

Do not put this book down before reading the discussion section in the back. This book is good and each chapter full of insight, but the discussion section far out-weighs the material presented in the book. Thank you men for your openness and straight forward insights.I was reading “Dangerous Calling” by Paul Tripp along with this book. Since Paul wrote chapter one I could not help compare it with “The Hammer” (Dangerous Calling). Paul set the stage for this book by helping us focus on the source of our own words - our hearts. Tough pill to swallow, but Paul’s personal touch made it feel like it was coming from a friend who understood the struggle.Sinclair jumped into James in a way that made me stop often and pray; repenting for my lack of control over my tongue. I went looking through antique store for an old bridle to hang on my wall as a reminder.Piper on eloquence just seemed fitting. This was not a homiletics training course. When I was done with chapter I just wanted to sing about how beautiful God is. I think in pictures and so eloquence is necessary to fire my imagination. Dry teaching is not righteous.Driscoll wrote on the sometimes “harshness of God’s words”. Again, fitting. As always I laughed my way through Driscoll’s presenting of difficult material. What a contemporary “way with words”. Mark is insightful and funny. This chapter did seem a little wordy and exhausting to march through. I tend to be a bit coarse when dealing with tougher topics and so maybe I was dragging conviction with me.Taylor on “story shaped faith”... Oh my! I have a son who enjoys writing story. My favorite Taylor comment came in the discussions section when he spoke about “imagination being required for compassion.” That section has changed my life. Thank you.Kauflin on “singing words.” I have no musical ability, but I love to sing with the saints all over the world. I can handle most genres if pressed passionately into God. Bob’s insight into corporate worship should be read over and over by both teaching and music pastors. This chapter refreshed my desire to gather with the saints and and extend my “emotional range” while engaging corporate worship.Thank you for this work. I highly recommend it.

If you are like me you do not have much time for leisure these days and so, when you take time to read you want it to be something of great value and, all I have read from John Piper is of great value because it is clear that he has put in the hard effort in study to expound on the truth of the Almighty God and Creator of the Universe! In this book though, interestingly enough, I found that the section by Sinclair Ferguson on James chapter 2 was WONDERFUL! I love the part on the fact that, once you recognize God in all His glory through His word, your mouth is SHUT. :) So very true.But Piper's section on whether there is room for great use of words in Scripture is most "useful". I simply LOVE that Mr. Piper addresses these fantastic areas if Scripture that God gives us to challenge us to think. Whereas as the unbeliever chooses to use them against God and misses the point entirely therefore - the believer is given great food of true spiritual fulfillment!

This is one of those books that you have to take a bite at a time - really makes you think and challenges you to make the changes you need to.

This is a great book! If you communicate with others you need to read this book.

Dr. Piper delivers an interesting argument regarding words and their importance and impact. His intelligence and kindness show on every page.