Keith Devens .com

Attrocious article, but the author means well. Lots of statements like, "Cancer is not wasted when it is healed by God. He gets the glory and that is why cancer exists."

I feel bad for anyone that has cancer and I applaud any attempt to make meaning out of it. Hopefully the article provides some cancer patients with hope, or a different way at looking at their situation.

Apart from that, unsettling stuff. Its a bad example of injecting god/religion directly into a life-threatening illness.

What is wrong with injecting God into a life-threatening illness?

Sorry, you're right, I should probably clarify.

I was trying to say that I think it's it's a bad way of injecting god into a life-threatening illness. If you're sick, I think it's perfectely fine to pray to god and develop a closer relationship with god if you're religious.

Piper treats cancer as something to savor, as though it is a special present to you from god. The pain and suffering is to be cherished! Anyway, you can read the article for yourself. I think it's a bit kookoo.

If you think Piper's advice is a healthy way to think about cancer (or any serious illness), good on ya. As for me, thanks for thinking of me, god, but I plan to let my cancer go to waste asap.

Piper is not telling people to "savor" cancer, but to cherish what can be gained through such an experience, to cherish CHRIST.

It's not easy to sugar-coat this article. Let's pick a few choice quotes:

1. You will waste your cancer if you do not believe it is designed for you by God. "It will not do to say that God only uses our cancer but does not design it. What God permits, he permits for a reason. And that reason is his design."

2. You will waste your cancer if you believe it is a curse and not a gift.

God designs your cancer for you, and it should be viewed as a gift.

Maybe your deep faith in god permits you to interpret this as sound reasoning, but I find it unsettling and disturbing. Sorry if my opinion offends you.

your opinion isnt offensive at all. I dont think anyone really cares what you think about God, or cancer, or john piper. But what you said IS unintelligent.

When you read an author, you have to understand where he is coming from. You aparantally dont, and havent taken the time to reasearch the issue so that you could comment on the article in a capable manner. please dont do that again

But what you said IS unintelligent.

It sounds like you're approaching this from the god angle, and maybe he/she is reading the article from the cancer perspective. So before you call Edoc's post unintelligent (without pointing out why), maybe you should consider where Edoc is coming from, and research the issue from his/her view, etc. Who knows, maybe Edoc has cancer or has lost family members to cancer.

The approximate message I got from the article is:
Cancer does not exist by accident-- it exists by god's will and design.
If you have cancer, it's because part of god's plan for you to have it.
You should embrace cancer as an invitation to get closer to christ. To do otherwise would be a wasted opportunity.

A generic version of the above might be:
Nothing exists or happens by accident-- everything exists by god's will and design.
Everything you have and everything that happens to you is part of god's plan.
You should embrace events in your life-- good or bad-- as an opportunity to get closer to god.

In other words, Piper hopes to remind those struggling or in doubt that they should interpret bad news as a test of faith which can strengthen your relationship with god. I think everyone understands this message, but some folks might bristle at the way Piper words it (particularly the awkward part about cancer existing because god designed it for you so that we can praise him, etc.).

You wrote:
"but some folks might bristle at the way Piper words it"

I would agree that some may bristle at how Piper words his statements. However, Piper chooses his words carefully and speaks them deliberately. Piper is passionate about what he believes here and is able to reason why he is. He isn't one of those persons who believes in God for foolish reasons. His belief in God is grounded and therefore the cause of his bold statement that can cause others who don't know God personally like Piper does. I've come to know God in this way and can appreciate the force and truthfulness of his message.
Piper is very good and worth a listen for any thinking person. If you want to get a taste of the passion behind man, take a listen. http://www.desiringgodradio.org/content/index.php

I think John Piper is a great preacher, but unfortunatly is misslead in his interpretations re: the cause of human suffering! John Piper stresses a doctrine of Divine Providence in all things and asserts that all human suffering is the result of God's will! However this view is inconsistent with Biblical understanding, as the Bible plainly reveals in our cosmos, God's will is not the only one at play. At times we see God's will, mans will and the devils will all at play at the same time! Knowing which is which, is certainly a question to grapple with, however, our dear Mr Piper plainly asserts God is directly responsible for all the misery and suffering in this world, which unfortunatly is inconsistent with plain scripture. Peace out!!