Tommy Bosworth, a former IBEXer, a former travelmate to Turkey, and now a fellow student at DTS, went to the Desiring God conference last weekend on the Book of Job. He sent out a recommendation to some friends to watch the videos, and he listed some things that he learned. He has given me permission to post his notes, and I believe that they ‘ll be worth your few minutes of thought, even if you don’t have time now to watch/listen to the sermons. He writes:
As many of you know, Charisa and I attended desiringgod’s regional conference in Austin this weekend. If you can carve out time in your busy lives to view these videos, I promise you will not be disappointed. Piper’s sermons are well worth the time.
The topic was suffering and Piper walked us through the book of Job. Some of the things that stood out to me were:
- Suffering is the “required path of discipleship—no other path to heaven.”
- There is no distinction between suffering in the sense of persecution for your faith and suffering in general. Regardless of the kind of suffering, Satan’s goal is always to destroy your faith and God’s goal is always to strengthen your faith.
- There are not two categories—those who suffer and those who do not. Everyone suffers—at different levels and at different times.
- God ordains suffering. You will need to view the videos and see how Piper nuances the term “ordains.” Does it mean “permit,” “cause,” “allow,” “purpose,” etc? Piper says that Job never once questioned the sovereignty of God (control, purpose, plan) over his suffering—nor did any of his friends. It was a given for all that God was responsible (ultimately vs. immediately?) for Job’s suffering (cf. Job 1:21; 42:11). The question asked by all and answered in different ways was “Why has God brought this adversity upon Job?”
- Unbelievers need the Gospel, not a theodicy.
- When Satan asks God for permission to test/tempt believers God says either (1) no or (2) this far and no further.
- Piper’s definition of worship is “any emotional, intellectual, or physical response that manifests the supreme worth of God.”
Todd,
Thanks for posting this. I’ve started my first year of teaching in public schools and just seeing the word “Job” reminds me that a lot of the struggles I’m facing are known to God, as well as many other believers who have been through tough times. It is good to know that he is in control and he loves us.
I hope you are being pushed in your faith as you go through what I’m sure is a difficult time in seminary.
Thanks for posting. This was very good for me to read.