Lecture Notes: Jonathan Edwards, Christian Hedonism, and the Glory of God

Introduction

• Speaker: Dr. John Piper
• Context: Exploring the connection between joy in God and glorifying God
• Opening Prayer: Emphasis on relying on Jesus for fulfillment (Ezekiel 33:29, 20:44)

Main Points

The Centrality of God's Name

• Ezekiel: 72 times "that you may know that I am the Lord"
• Meaning of 'Lord': Comes from Yahweh, rooted in 'I am who I am' (Exodus 3:13-15)
• Implications: God is self-sufficient, not dependent

Jonathan Edwards' Influence

• Christian Hedonism: "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him"
• Edwards: Deeply influenced by the idea that true delight in God is central to Christian life
• Quote: "God is glorified not only by His glory being seen but by it being delighted in"

Misunderstandings Addressed

Self-Love

• Two Senses: Edwards criticizes selfishness but endorses self-love that seeks happiness in God
• Quote: "Self-love taken in the most extensive sense and love to God are not properly capable of being compared"

Disinterested Love

• Meaning: Loving God for His intrinsic worth, not merely for benefits
• Explanation: Disinterested love includes "sweet entertainment" in God’s beauty

Practical Implications

Contrition and Joy

• Contrition: Rooted in recognizing the joy of having God as treasure
• Edwards: Repentance involves pleasure in God's beauty

Self-Denial and Joy

• Jesus' Teaching: Self-denial leads to true joy in God
• Edwards: True self-denial destroys sorrow and enhances joy

Suffering and Joy

• Troubles: Designed to increase joy in God
• Edwards: Afflictions bring greater pleasure than their trouble (Matthew 5:11, James 1:2-3)

Humility

• Joy and Humility: True joy in God leads to brokenhearted humility
• Edwards: “A humble, brokenhearted joy”

Criticisms of Christian Hedonism Addressed

Self-Centrality

• Objection: Joy in God makes self central
• Response by Edwards: Hypocritical joy is self-centered; true joy glorifies God

Sensuality Defense

• Objection: Christian hedonism encourages sensuality
• Response: Joy in God opposed to sensual pleasures; only true combat is superior pleasure in God

Joy Amidst Suffering

• Objection: Christianity brings new sorrow
• Response: Sufferings designed for everlasting joy

Practical Advice

Growing Desire for God

• Advice: Consistent prayer and reading of Scripture
• Piper's Method: IOUs (Incline, Open, Unite, Satisfy)
• Example: Transpose music of natural pleasures into delight in God

Conclusion

• Edwards' Last Words: God's glory is found in saints' satisfaction in Him
• Call to Action: Live recognizing God as the ultimate satisfaction

Questions & Answers: Practical implications for applying Christian hedonism in life

• Struggles: Addressing no joy in Bible reading or prayer
• Balance: Importance of not being paralyzed by mixed motives
• Applications: Real-life scenarios like standing against temptations, influence of C.S. Lewis

Final Reflection

• Live for God’s glory by finding supreme satisfaction in Him