Book Review: What's the Difference - John Piper

Monday, 22 December 2008

Genre: Men/Women

Target: Everyone - leaning toward well-read and older readers.

At 96 well-spaced and small pages, this is more an essay than a book, and Piper refers to it as such. It looks at some of the major differences between men and women from a biblical perspective in a concise and clear way, giving a helpful definition for each and finally ending on a summary of some of the questions that the author has been asked over the years, and how he has best answered these. 

Whilst this is a

 technically accurate, well thought-through and researched thesis, it does use language that is somewhat heavy-going and unless one reads widely, one may find this a bit of a challenge to wade through. This being written in 1990, there have been some excellent works produced since then in a more accessable style - the works of John and Stasi Eldridge, for instance are excellent. Also, I've discovered that Wayne Grudem (Systematic Theology, Bible Doctrine and 20 Basics Every Christian Should Know) has also written a book on the subject, which I will be reading soon. 

In summary, I'd say that if you're on a 'what does it mean to be a man/woman' kick and have been through the current standard books, then you may find this affirming. If you're looking to start on that journey, I'd start elsewhere.