Love Your Enemies: Jesus’ Love Command in the Synoptic Gospels and the Early Christian Paraenesis
Digital Logos Edition
Love Your Enemies, originally published as John Piper’s doctoral dissertation at the University of Munich, examines the command to “love your enemies” as it occurs in various forms in the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, Romans, 1 Thessalonians, and 1 Peter. Piper examines the various critical interpretations offered by scholars, and also incorporates the pertinent extra-canonical literature into his study. Arguing that the early church practiced non-retaliatory love, Piper presents a comprehensive case about what Jesus meant when he commanded his followers to love their enemies.
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- Seeks to apply even the most difficult Scriptural command
- Early scholarship by John Piper shows his development of thought
- Addresses the critical and textual issues surrounding the command to forgive from the gospels
- In Search of the Paraenetic Tradition of a Command of Enemy Love
- The Origin of the Command of Enemy Love in the New Testament Paraenetic Tradition
- Jesus’ Command of Enemy Love in the Larger Context of His Message
- The Use and Meaning of Jesus’ Command of Enemy Love in the Early Christian Paraenesis
- The Gospel Tradition of Jesus’ Command of Enemy Love and its Use in Matthew and Luke
John Piper (1946– ) is a widely respected theologian and bestselling author who served as pastor for Preaching and Vision of Bethlehem Baptist Church for 33 years. He still serves as chancellor of Bethlehem College and Seminary.
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 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.