John Piper offers a biblical defense of God's supremacy in all things, providing readers with a sound theological foundation for missions. He examines whether Jesus is the only way to salvation and issues a passionate plea for God-centeredness in the missionary enterprise, seeking to define the scope of the task and the means for reaching "all nations."

This new edition of a bestselling textbook draws on key biblical texts to demonstrate that worship is the ultimate goal of the church and that proper worship fuels missionary outreach. John Piper offers a biblical defense of God's supremacy in all things, providing readers with a sound theological foundation for missions. He examines whether Jesus is the only way to salvation and issues a passionate plea for God-centeredness in the missionary enterprise, seeking to define the scope of the task and the means for reaching "all nations." The third edition has been revised and expanded throughout and includes new material on the prosperity gospel. The book is essential reading for those involved in or preparing for missions work. It also offers enlightenment for college and seminary students, pastors, youth workers, campus ministers, and all who want to connect their labors to God's global purposes.

A great book to look at the Biblical basis for missions. Piper challenges while inspiring evangelism and discipleship from to the glory of God. I have some favorite quotes about missions from this one!

Really excellent. Just the story of challenge we all need to hear time and again. ( )

Let the Nations be Glad

This book contains everything you never thought about missions. It was put on my pre-theological college reading list and you can see why. It gives a suitable overview of some of the most important themes in missiology. As you would expect from a John Piper it is a warm and God-exalting text as well. Whether you are interested in missiology specifically or evangelism generally, Let the Nations be glad will be an immense help. It won’t be easy but the stretching your mind will receive is most important.

---OVERVIEW---
John Piper splits his text up into three parts, but it is hard to see really what the difference between these parts is.

The first chapter is on WORSHIP. Piper convincingly explains that the reason we should evangelise is mainly so that God can be glorified. Missions exist because worship doesn’t.

The second chapter is on PRAYER. This is perhaps one of the most helpful chapters on prayer I have ever read. Piper sees prayer as a walkie-talkie on a battlefield, our means of communication with command. He also puts it in the context of preaching and makes clear that prayer cannot replace preaching.

The third chapter is on SUFFERING. Piper asks the question of why suffering is necessary in missions (since we see it so often). He then calls us to self-denial for the sake of souls.

The fourth chapter is really on EXCLUSIVITY. Piper takes aim at universalists and annihilationists. He argues for conscious eternal torment in hell and that Jesus’ work is essential for salvation. We can preach no other gospel than this, nor can we expect those who do not believe this to be saved. This is perhaps the best argument for exclusivity and hell I’ve ever read.

The fifth chapter is on the topic of PEOPLE GROUPS. Piper asks whether the Bible is asking us to evangelise as many people as possible or as many people groups as possible. This matters massively. It asks us whether we should stay in places where we can have churches of thousands or whether we should go to an unreached people group and plant a church that could only ever have 300 members, at 100% reach rate. He argues convincingly that the Bible wants us to reach people groups.

Chapter six is the token Edwards chapter, as Piper discusses COMPASSION. Having stated that our first desire should be to glorify God , does this mean that we do not have compassion for lost sinners? Piper takes Edwards as an example that this is not the case.

Chapter seven discusses the issues of WORSHIP again. This time the discussion is whether there should be a set form of worship. Piper argues that since the New Testament sees Jesus as the point of worship, that there is freedom.

Chapter eight concludes the arguments. Chapter nine is an afterword encouraging us that we should be involved in missions either by going on mission or sending others on mission.

---STRENGTHS---
To write a list of strengths would be to make a list as long as this book. Let us just list a few key-elements.
1. Every chapter was unique and valuable. CJ Mahaney has said it is better to recommend a chapter than a book if you want somebody to read it. Well this is a book that would give lots of opportunities for this form of recommendation.
2. It is understandable and helpful to those involved in missions and those that aren’t. It is clear from the afterword that this is John’s aim.
3. It is thorough. John Piper is a man who doesn’t just look for a proof text. He weighs up the burden of the entire scripture. This gives you utter confidence in what he has to say. This is a deeply biblical book.
4. It is God-centred. We would expect nothing less from Piper. He doesn’t give helpful hints and three easy steps but lifts our eyes to the magnificent task ahead of us.

---WEAKNESSES---
It is a testament to how much I valued this book that I have no real criticisms. The two things I would say are more cautions. The first is this: This is a hard book. The chapters are long and thorough. It is not bed time reading. That is part of its strength but is the reason why on my first read I found it difficult to connect.
The second is this: The audiobook version of the book is really stunted. The way the reader says JEEE-SUHS every time is exasperating and he often expresses the statement in a way that is the complete opposite of what Piper is intending to convey. When you have heard Piper preach you wish he would read it himself. His passion is utterly missing from the audiobook version.

---COMPARISON---
I must honestly say I haven’t read a great many books on the topic of missions. I have either read biographies about missionaries or books on evangelism. However, what I would say is that this book is original and thorough; it stimulated a lot of thought. For an educated reader he wants to get a grasp of this important topic Let the Nations be Glad is an excellent place to start. ( )