Christian hedonism

I do not have any review to which I can point you, so let me offer a brief response.

“Hedonism” is usually defined as the idea that “pleasure or happiness is the highest good in life.” If you are thinking that sounds like the ancient Greek philosophy of Epicureanism, you are on the right track.

“How can there be something called ‘Christian hedonism?'” you ask. That is what John Piper tries to explain. He summarizes Christian hedonism this way: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.” On his web site he maintains: “Christian hedonism is biblical morality because it recognizes that obeying God is the only route to final and lasting happiness” [original emphasis]. To me, that is the crux of the problem: happiness depends on me and my obedience to the law of God.

Certainly, God promises to bless faithfulness on the part of his children (Matthew 5:3-10; Luke 6:38, for example), but the only route to final and lasting joy is through the gospel: the message that God has provided free and full salvation through his Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16).

To me, glorifying God puts the emphasis on God (Revelation 14:7), not me and my efforts to obtain happiness.

Finally, it is helpful to know that Piper embraces Calvinist theology.