APB Contending For Our All (John Piper)

 Contending for Our All : Defending Truth and Treasuring Christ in the Lives of Athanasius, John Owen, and J. Gresham Machen

 Athanasius. Owen. Machen.

 When Augustine handed over the leadership of his church in AD 426, his  successor was so overwhelmed by a sense of inadequacy that he declared,  “The swan is silent,” fearing the spiritual giant’s voice would be lost  in time. But for 1,600 years Augustine has not been silent—and neither  have the men who faithfully trumpeted the cause of Christ after him.  Their lives have inspired every generation of believers and should  compel us to a greater passion for God.

 In his fourth book in The Swans Are Not Silent series John Piper  explores the lives of Athanasius, John Owen, and J. Gresham Machen—a  bishop, a pastor, and the founder of a seminary.

 Each of these men stood for the truth of the gospel in the face of  intense opposition—all out of a deep love for Jesus and a desire for  people to know him in his fullness. They took no joy in controversy for  argument’s sake, and they were willing to suffer for the sake of  guarding the sanctity of the gospel. Threats of harm, years of exile,  the death of loved ones, opposition from friends and authorities,  sickness and pain—none of these setbacks could keep these three from  maintaining their efforts to further the gospel or quench their zeal for  Jesus himself.

 In each of their lives, personal holiness was emphasized publically and  privately despite suffering. They were true soldiers for the sake of the  cross, and each man offers life lessons for Christians today. We pray  that their perseverance, courage, and resolve will arouse such  Christ-honoring passions in you.