A Sweet and Bitter Providence: Sex, Race, and the Sovereignty of God
Overview
The sovereignty of God, the sexual nature of humanity, and the gospel of God’s mercy for the undeserving—these massive realities never change. And since God is still sovereign, and we are male or female, and Jesus is alive and powerful, A Sweet and Bitter Providence bears a dangerous message of providence and love for readers from all walks of life. But be warned, Piper tells his audience: this ancient love affair between Boaz and Ruth could be dangerous, inspiring all of us to great risks in the cause of love.
Interested in more? Check out the Crossway John Piper Collection (39 vols.).
- Focuses on social issues in the book of Ruth
- Highlights God’s plan in seemingly innocuous details
- Discusses ways to be faithful in all circumstance
- Introduction
- Sweet and Bitter Providence
- Under the Wings of God
- Strategic Righteousness
- May My Redeemer Be Renowned
- Final Appeals
Top Highlights
“The point of this book is not just that God is preparing the way for the coming of the King of Glory, but that he is doing it in such a way that all of us should learn that the worst of times are not wasted.” (Page 24)
“Ruth does for us is give us a glimpse into the hidden work of God during the worst of times” (Page 23)
“They are so amazed that grace came to them in their unworthiness that they feel even more lowly. But they receive the gift. Joy increases, not self-importance. Grace is not intended to replace lowliness with pride. It’s intended to replace sorrow with joy.” (Pages 64–65)
“Bethlehem—think of it! Perhaps this triumph of purity took place near the very spot where, a thousand years later, a virgin would give birth to Jesus, the son of David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of a pure union between Boaz and Ruth.” (Page 93)
“In all the setbacks of our lives as believers, God is plotting for our joy” (Page 100)
We live in a relativistic culture, where people are more concerned with being liked than being truthful. In A Sweet and Bitter Providence, John Piper does an outstanding job of biblically defending key truths that the church often ignores. He gives us an example of how to take a bold and educated stand on issues of race, purity, and God’s sovereignty.
Francis Chan, New York Times bestselling author, Crazy Love and Forgotten God
With his usual clarity, candor, and insight, John Piper masterfully guides us through the short but powerful book of Ruth. More than a ‘little romance,’ Piper unpacks the book’s teaching on sovereignty, providence, grace, and glory. As we follow the account of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz, our own lives are enriched and transformed. I recommend this book to all who desire to know God better through his Word.
Tremper Longman III, Distinguished Scholar and Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies, Westmont College
- Title: A Sweet and Bitter Providence: Sex, Race, and the Sovereignty of God
- Author: John Piper
- Publisher: Crossway
- Print Publication Date: 2010
- Logos Release Date: 2014
- Pages: 160
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Bible. O.T. Ruth › Criticism, interpretation, etc
- ISBNs: 9781433514371, 9781433514388, 9781433514395, 9781433524349, 1433514370, 1433514389, 1433514397, 1433524341
- Resource ID: LLS:SWTBTTRPRVDNC
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T03:15:22Z
John Piper (b. 1946) is a widely respected theologian and bestselling author who serves as founder and lead teacher at Desiring God and is chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, Piper served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church. He has authored more than 50 books, and more than 30 years of his preaching and writing are available free of charge at desiringGod.org. Piper resides in the Minneapolis area with his wife of 51 years, and has five children and 14 grandchildren.
Piper attended Wheaton College where he majored in literature and minored in philosophy. He completed his Bachelor of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary, where he studied under Dr. Daniel Fuller. Piper received his Doctorate in Theology from the University of Munich and taught biblical studies for six years at Bethel College.
In 1994, Piper founded Desiring God Ministries, which provides Piper’s sermons, articles, and information on titles he has authored. One of his bestsellers, Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist, prompted the name of the ministry.
Several of Piper’s books have been Evangelical Christian Publishers Association Christian book award winners including What Jesus Demands from the World, Pierced by the Word, and God’s Passion for His Glory. The Crossway John Piper Collection (39 vols.) includes 39 titles from Piper, including Love Your Enemies and A Hunger for God. His preaching ministry of more than 30 years is available in the John Piper Sermon Archive (1980–2014).
Hear how Piper uses Logos for his Bible Study.