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The Swans Are Not Silent #3
The Roots of Endurance: Invincible Perseverance in the Lives of John Newton, Charles Simeon, and William Wilberforce
John Newton, Charles Simeon, and William Wilberforce suffered lifelong opposition and endured for the causes of gospel truth, missionary zeal, and political justice. They found, in solid doctrine and humble joy, the tough roots for habitual tenderness in response to their adversaries-without doctrinal or moral flinching. They are examples of remarkable grace. In Book 3 in The Swans Are Not Silent series, best-selling author John Piper looks at the lives of these three great men and focuses on how they not only endured great opposition, but that they did so with joy and without bitterness. Their lives exemplify how to set a pace and finish the race before us, encouraging every heart that it is possible to jump the hurdles in our paths.
176 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2002
About the author
John Piper
532 books4,303 followersJohn Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as senior pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.), and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years, he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem.
John is the author of more than 50 books and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noel, have four sons, one daughter, and twelve grandchildren.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.), and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years, he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem.
John is the author of more than 50 books and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noel, have four sons, one daughter, and twelve grandchildren.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
September 2, 2017
The story of habitual and determined endurance over 3 people's lifetimes that produced fruit that lasts for an eternity. John Newton's "habitual tenderness" towards those in need. Charles Simeon's determination over years of persecution within the church. William Wilberforce's lifetime quest for the abolishment of slavery. A book that puts feet to faith.
June 7, 2023
4.5. The chapters on Newton and Wilberforce are especially terrific.
July 25, 2011
I continue to love these Piper biographies. Though after reading nine I'm beginning to want a broader perspective and a deeper treatment (which would probably please John Piper) -- but these short biographies are so accessible! Anyway, the theme of this collection is a favourite for me -- endurance. I was especially encouraged by John Newton, I need to read more about him.
May 21, 2018
So inspiring! I especially liked reading about Charles Simeon, because I didn't know much of his life before reading, and I used to attend the church where he pastored for 54 years.
June 19, 2019
Piper is nothing if not detailed. His ability to cram facts and insight into every word leads to a density that is occasionally impenetrable and always demands a rereading. We have here a recounting of the extraordinary lives of 3 staunch characters, from whom there is a great deal to learn. What there is, is fantastic, though it occasionally feels more of a bullet-point list in its density than a clear guide. Worthy of a read, and insightful, there are rich veins, but they are not handed over as readily as they might, requiring a determined miner to slave over his quarry. A more generous length and a slower pace may have reaped quicker reward, but perhaps that is more a failing of the reader than the author?
April 5, 2021
Short, readable, inspiring biographies of Newton, Simeon, and Wilberforce.
Things that stood out to me:
- The need for tough and tender Christians (42-43).
- The balanced and gracious Calvinism of Newton (64) and Simeon 86-90)
- Being patient with others with rough edges (91)
- Charles Simeon was "growing downward in humility and growing upwards in adoring communion with God" (107).
- Wilberforce loved people and showed an interest in whatever topic of conversation they brought up (148).
Things that stood out to me:
- The need for tough and tender Christians (42-43).
- The balanced and gracious Calvinism of Newton (64) and Simeon 86-90)
- Being patient with others with rough edges (91)
- Charles Simeon was "growing downward in humility and growing upwards in adoring communion with God" (107).
- Wilberforce loved people and showed an interest in whatever topic of conversation they brought up (148).
May 20, 2024
Great to hear about Wilberforce, John Newton and Charles Simeon
June 29, 2009
Key Quotes:
Referring to John Newton -- "Oh, how rare are the Christians who speak with a tender heart and have a theological backbone of steel...whose might in the truth is matched by their meekness...whose relational warmth is matched by their rigor of study" p. 42,43
Quoting John Newton -- "I had no apprehension of the hidden life of a Christian, as it consists in communion with God by Jesus Christ: a continual dependence on Him...I acknowledged the Lord's mercy in pardoning what was past, but depended chiefly upon my own resolution to do better for the time to come" p. 50 ----- (this is an interesting quote to come back to when I finish reading Dallas Willard's The Divine Conspiracy which seems to be touching on related issues) -----
Habitual tenderness -- John Newton describing the believer's life: "He believes and feels his own weakness and unworthiness, and lives upon the grace and pardoning love of his Lord. This gives him an habitual tenderness and gentleness of spirit" p. 53
Ah, if I could grasp the importance of following Newton's advice --"before you set pen to paper against [an opponent:], and during the whole time you are preparing your answer, you may commend him by earnest prayer to the Lord's teaching and blessing. This practice will have a direct tendency to conciliate your heart to love...and will have a good influence upon every page you write" p. 63
Speaking of Newton's ability to communicate with concreteness -- "We will never be tender toward our people if we merely communicate the heaviness of general concepts and theories rather than the specific stuff of the world in which they live" p. 69
Piper on the need to look at the lives of these from the past -- "I need this inspiration from another century, because I know that I am, in great measure, a child of my times. And one of the pervasive marks of our times is emotional fragility. It hangs in the air we breathe. We are easily hurt. We pout and mope easily. We blame easily. We break easily...Our faith breaks easily. Our happiness breaks easily. And our commitment to the church breaks easily. We are easily disheartened, and it seems we have little capacity for surviving and thriving in the face of criticism and opposition" p. 79
Wisdom from Charles Simeon -- "My rule is never to hear, or see, or know, what if heard, or seen, or known, would call for animadversion from me. Hence it is that I dwell in peace in the midst of lions" p. 100 ---- (living out Romans 12) ----
Quoting Handley Moule re Simeon's life -- "he had been 'growing downwards' year by year under the stern discipline of difficulty met in the right way, the way of close and adoring communion with God" p 107 ---- ('growing downwards' = growing in humility which for Simeon was inseparable from adoring communion with God) ---
Describing William Wilberforce mental and spiritual health -- "...self-forgetting joy...a joyful ability to see all the good in the world instead of being consumed by one's own problems" p. 148
James Stephen's description of Wilberforce -- "Being himself amused and interested by everything, whatever he said became amusing or interesting...His presence was as fatal to dullness as to immorality. His mirth was as irresistable as the first laughter of childhood" p. 149
Piper comments -- "So for Wilberforce, joy was both a means of survival and perseverance on the one hand, and a deep act of submission, obedience, and worship on the other hand. Joy in Christ was commanded. And joy in Christ was the only way to flourish fruitfully through decades of temporary defeat" p. 151
Roots of endurance = knowing that I am sinner saved by grace, living joyfully in that grace, seeking peace as I live out that grace, holding fast to Jesus Christ my Lord.
This book if available free online at John Piper's site -- http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLi...
Referring to John Newton -- "Oh, how rare are the Christians who speak with a tender heart and have a theological backbone of steel...whose might in the truth is matched by their meekness...whose relational warmth is matched by their rigor of study" p. 42,43
Quoting John Newton -- "I had no apprehension of the hidden life of a Christian, as it consists in communion with God by Jesus Christ: a continual dependence on Him...I acknowledged the Lord's mercy in pardoning what was past, but depended chiefly upon my own resolution to do better for the time to come" p. 50 ----- (this is an interesting quote to come back to when I finish reading Dallas Willard's The Divine Conspiracy which seems to be touching on related issues) -----
Habitual tenderness -- John Newton describing the believer's life: "He believes and feels his own weakness and unworthiness, and lives upon the grace and pardoning love of his Lord. This gives him an habitual tenderness and gentleness of spirit" p. 53
Ah, if I could grasp the importance of following Newton's advice --"before you set pen to paper against [an opponent:], and during the whole time you are preparing your answer, you may commend him by earnest prayer to the Lord's teaching and blessing. This practice will have a direct tendency to conciliate your heart to love...and will have a good influence upon every page you write" p. 63
Speaking of Newton's ability to communicate with concreteness -- "We will never be tender toward our people if we merely communicate the heaviness of general concepts and theories rather than the specific stuff of the world in which they live" p. 69
Piper on the need to look at the lives of these from the past -- "I need this inspiration from another century, because I know that I am, in great measure, a child of my times. And one of the pervasive marks of our times is emotional fragility. It hangs in the air we breathe. We are easily hurt. We pout and mope easily. We blame easily. We break easily...Our faith breaks easily. Our happiness breaks easily. And our commitment to the church breaks easily. We are easily disheartened, and it seems we have little capacity for surviving and thriving in the face of criticism and opposition" p. 79
Wisdom from Charles Simeon -- "My rule is never to hear, or see, or know, what if heard, or seen, or known, would call for animadversion from me. Hence it is that I dwell in peace in the midst of lions" p. 100 ---- (living out Romans 12) ----
Quoting Handley Moule re Simeon's life -- "he had been 'growing downwards' year by year under the stern discipline of difficulty met in the right way, the way of close and adoring communion with God" p 107 ---- ('growing downwards' = growing in humility which for Simeon was inseparable from adoring communion with God) ---
Describing William Wilberforce mental and spiritual health -- "...self-forgetting joy...a joyful ability to see all the good in the world instead of being consumed by one's own problems" p. 148
James Stephen's description of Wilberforce -- "Being himself amused and interested by everything, whatever he said became amusing or interesting...His presence was as fatal to dullness as to immorality. His mirth was as irresistable as the first laughter of childhood" p. 149
Piper comments -- "So for Wilberforce, joy was both a means of survival and perseverance on the one hand, and a deep act of submission, obedience, and worship on the other hand. Joy in Christ was commanded. And joy in Christ was the only way to flourish fruitfully through decades of temporary defeat" p. 151
Roots of endurance = knowing that I am sinner saved by grace, living joyfully in that grace, seeking peace as I live out that grace, holding fast to Jesus Christ my Lord.
This book if available free online at John Piper's site -- http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLi...
October 5, 2012
Endurance is essentail in sports. The ability to hold to what you know and finish to the end is important yet hard to do. The body will begin to protest sending messages of pain and exhaustion. Rivals get in the way attempting to end our advancement. At times old habits and desires get in the way of training, especially at hard times. The same is true with the Christian walk. It is hard to endure and hold to the truths of Christ when so much seems easier, more entertaining, or less threatening.
John Piper gives us a chance to learn from the lives and examples of others in this book in the Swans are Not Silent series. It is a glimpse into the lives of John Newton, Charles Simeon, and William Wilberforce. The small light into their worlds shows struggles that are similar to many we face and greater then others we do.
It was amazing to see how these men not only succeeded in enduring but how they also struggled and failed helping them grow to greater strength. I found myself encouraged and looking up to these men.
Piper does a great job of giving a short biography on each while exploring the unique qualities that helped each endure. I was very challenged by each story, finding that I related with each man in unique ways.
I believe it is important to learn from the lives of others. We all have similar struggles wether we realize it or not. Learning about the struggles of these three giants in the faith was a great encouragement. I leaned a great deal from their lives and am thankful that God used them and Piper to create these examples.
John Piper gives us a chance to learn from the lives and examples of others in this book in the Swans are Not Silent series. It is a glimpse into the lives of John Newton, Charles Simeon, and William Wilberforce. The small light into their worlds shows struggles that are similar to many we face and greater then others we do.
It was amazing to see how these men not only succeeded in enduring but how they also struggled and failed helping them grow to greater strength. I found myself encouraged and looking up to these men.
Piper does a great job of giving a short biography on each while exploring the unique qualities that helped each endure. I was very challenged by each story, finding that I related with each man in unique ways.
I believe it is important to learn from the lives of others. We all have similar struggles wether we realize it or not. Learning about the struggles of these three giants in the faith was a great encouragement. I leaned a great deal from their lives and am thankful that God used them and Piper to create these examples.
August 19, 2018
I have found so much encouragement and inspiration in the "The Swans Are Not Silent" Series by John Piper. Through the lives of pastors, teachers, missionaries, etc., I find the strength to continue fighting for justice in the midst of challenges, despair, discouragement, and more. Each book covers the lives of 3 individuals...while I wish he would cover women and not just men, I still enjoy reading of how faith and trust in God allowed them to face down any adversity or challenge in their path. If you are looking for encouragement, check these books out.
April 15, 2015
Short snapshot of the lives of John Newton, Charles Simeon and William Wilberforce, and what caused them to endure in the midst of the trials they faced. Each person faced trials of various kinds, whether physical, political, spiritual, or emotional. The question Piper is answering for each person is what caused them to endure? What was the root of their endurance (hence the book title). Love biographies and history, so this was a fun introduction to the lives of each of these men.
January 2, 2015
The Swans Are Not Silent series have been some of the most enjoyable biographies I've read. Simple, to the point, and yet packed with meat. This book is no different. My favorite chapter was on John Newton. Ordinary pastor with many difficulties in his church, yet he remained there his whole pastoral life. That's endurance.
June 24, 2016
Encouraging, as this whole series has been. This one focuses on endurance and explores the lives of three men who fought for joy to the very end. Offers some helpful--if not particularly surprising--thoughts on how and why a Christian "makes it." Spoiler: it is by leaning on the cross of Christ, not by human efforts.
December 5, 2008
Newton and Wilberforce are two of my spiritual heroes, and I'm stingy with that appellation--as I am with the five-star rating. All of Piper's biographical sketches are pearl. The conference version is available for streaming or download as MP3 for free at the Desiring God website.
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November 26, 2011Book 3 in Piper's outstanding biography series: perseverance in the lives of John Newton, Charles Simeon, and William Wilberforce
June 25, 2021
"Coronary Christians are like the heart and the causes they serve. Adrenal Christians are like adrenaline - a spurt of energy and then fatigue. What we need in the cause of social justice (for example, against racism and abortion), and the cause of world missions (to plant churches among unreached peoples of the world), and the cause of personal holiness and evangelism (to lead people to Christ and love them no matter what) is not spurts of energy, but people who endure for the long haul. Marathoners, not sprinters." - John Piper
This book is a glimpse into the lives of three "Coronary Christians." They were giants in the faith and reading this book encouraged and challenged me much more than I thought it would. It's a good introduction to Newton, Simeon, and Wilberforce. It's also an encouraging word to joyfully persevere in the midst of hardship and trouble.
A few quotes -
"I have been 30 years forming my own views and in the course of this time some of my hills have sunk and some of my valleys have risen. But how unreasonable within me to expect all this should take place in another person and that in the course of a year or two." - John Newton
"There are but two lessons for Christians to learn: the one is, to enjoy God in everything: the other is, to enjoy everything in God." -Charles Simeon
"If a man can rob you of your joy, he can rob you of your usefulness."- William Wilberforce
This book is a glimpse into the lives of three "Coronary Christians." They were giants in the faith and reading this book encouraged and challenged me much more than I thought it would. It's a good introduction to Newton, Simeon, and Wilberforce. It's also an encouraging word to joyfully persevere in the midst of hardship and trouble.
A few quotes -
"I have been 30 years forming my own views and in the course of this time some of my hills have sunk and some of my valleys have risen. But how unreasonable within me to expect all this should take place in another person and that in the course of a year or two." - John Newton
"There are but two lessons for Christians to learn: the one is, to enjoy God in everything: the other is, to enjoy everything in God." -Charles Simeon
"If a man can rob you of your joy, he can rob you of your usefulness."- William Wilberforce
April 21, 2022
This book is about three men who savored Christ as their root of endurance. One being a politician, one a pastor and hymn writer, and the final a college pastor of Cambridge. Each of whom we can learn from. Piper does an excellent job of showing the center of their endurance: the doctrine of justification by faith alone by the righteousness of Christ alone.
September 11, 2020
I started this book because it was free on Audible and found it thoroughly enjoyable. The narration was a bit dry but I loved learning about these three incredible men. I think in this time of so much hatred and uncertainty William Wilberforce is an excellent example of endurance and fighting for social justice while maintaining a sincere focus on the gospel.
October 10, 2019
Very helpful book and written in an interesting way. The author tells about these 3 lives, but finds the root of what caused each of them to endure the hardships they endured. Very instructional and encouraging.
January 1, 2020
La biographie de Charles Simeon est particulièrement encourageante.
November 8, 2023
Three short biographies on men who did big incredible things requiring perseverance and unwavering faith to accomplish them. As always, Pipers words are purposeful, motivating, Jesus exalting, and easy to read.
May 28, 2016
I first heard the sermons that were the basis for these books and I thoroughly enjoyed them. I purchased the books a long time ago but never read them bc I thought the book would just be the transcripts of the sermons, but they offered a different perspective and a more in-depth analysis in some ways.
If I had to pick one thing only, I would still select the messages because I enjoy listening to the passion in John Piper's stories but the books were very enriching and encouraging as well.
I especially enjoyed seeing how the lives of these men intersected even if briefly and how God used them to encourage each other on their journeys.
I gained a deeper appreciation for these men and their perseverance in the midst of personal and public struggles that last not days, not years, but decades.
The root of their endurance came from their trust in the Sovereignty of God. I was especially convicted when Piper shared how thin-skinned we were. Half of Simeon's congregation did not accept him as their pastor for the first twelve years and yet he persevered. Most would quit and move on after a few days or weeks.
Wilberforce spent his entire life fighting for the abolition of slavery in the British Parliament.
I love biographies for this very reason-I need to see the lives of these courageous me- I need to be reminded to persevere in the midst of difficulties and opposition.
And that's exactly what Pastor John Piper delivers in this series and indeed, "the swans are not silent."
If I had to pick one thing only, I would still select the messages because I enjoy listening to the passion in John Piper's stories but the books were very enriching and encouraging as well.
I especially enjoyed seeing how the lives of these men intersected even if briefly and how God used them to encourage each other on their journeys.
I gained a deeper appreciation for these men and their perseverance in the midst of personal and public struggles that last not days, not years, but decades.
The root of their endurance came from their trust in the Sovereignty of God. I was especially convicted when Piper shared how thin-skinned we were. Half of Simeon's congregation did not accept him as their pastor for the first twelve years and yet he persevered. Most would quit and move on after a few days or weeks.
Wilberforce spent his entire life fighting for the abolition of slavery in the British Parliament.
I love biographies for this very reason-I need to see the lives of these courageous me- I need to be reminded to persevere in the midst of difficulties and opposition.
And that's exactly what Pastor John Piper delivers in this series and indeed, "the swans are not silent."
July 28, 2010
The primary emphasis of this book is simply to introduce Christians today to a few heroes of the faith from yesteryear. This book is the third in The Swans are not Silent series and after reading this one, I'm looking forward to diving into the others.
But the book is not just biographical in nature – Piper does a wonderful job applying the lessons learned from the lives and struggles of these men to our own spiritual journeys. In this book, specifically, each man had to God-sized challenges to their faith and the common root of endurance they shared was their deep devotion to God's Word and their unwillingness to compromise their Biblical values for expediency or approval of men.
The Roots of Endurance is an encouraging, hope-filled that will benefit most anyone - a friend struggling with life, someone wondering how God could use them, or a pastor leading and ministering their flock. And of course, in classic Piper style, this wonderful read can be found free of charge at http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLi....
But the book is not just biographical in nature – Piper does a wonderful job applying the lessons learned from the lives and struggles of these men to our own spiritual journeys. In this book, specifically, each man had to God-sized challenges to their faith and the common root of endurance they shared was their deep devotion to God's Word and their unwillingness to compromise their Biblical values for expediency or approval of men.
The Roots of Endurance is an encouraging, hope-filled that will benefit most anyone - a friend struggling with life, someone wondering how God could use them, or a pastor leading and ministering their flock. And of course, in classic Piper style, this wonderful read can be found free of charge at http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLi....
September 21, 2024
Focusing on three extraordinary lives, Piper combines biblical truth with biographical detail to demonstrate the manner in which faith builds resiliency. While the lives of these three spiritual giants figure prominently in the text, this is not uniquely a historical project. The theme of endurance is the unquestionable motif that draws the reader to contemplate what surrender to the all-sufficient God means in a world full of challenges.
Piper's unmistakable voice is evident - challenging and pastoral. The contents were originally three presentations delivered at the Desiring God conference and have that evangelistic fervor that pushes you to step out and be another human link in God's redeeming project of an inherently broken world.
Piper's unmistakable voice is evident - challenging and pastoral. The contents were originally three presentations delivered at the Desiring God conference and have that evangelistic fervor that pushes you to step out and be another human link in God's redeeming project of an inherently broken world.
November 24, 2014
John Newton, who wrote "Amazing Grace," had an amazing life. He began his career in the Royal Navy before later becoming the Captain of a slave ship.
Through an unlikely series of events he ended up a slave himself an African Princess. Finally he became a Christian and a Pastor. He was also a mentor to William Cowper, William Wilberforce and Henry Martyn.
Charles Simeon was the Pastor of Trinity Church in Cambridge for 49 years despite great opposition to his ministry for the first 12 years.
William Wilberforce fought for 26 years in Parliament before finally getting England to end their slave trade. He did this despite poor health most of his life.
Through an unlikely series of events he ended up a slave himself an African Princess. Finally he became a Christian and a Pastor. He was also a mentor to William Cowper, William Wilberforce and Henry Martyn.
Charles Simeon was the Pastor of Trinity Church in Cambridge for 49 years despite great opposition to his ministry for the first 12 years.
William Wilberforce fought for 26 years in Parliament before finally getting England to end their slave trade. He did this despite poor health most of his life.
June 1, 2017
This biography of Newton, Simeon and Wilberforce is not as good as the other in Piper's biographical series The Legacy of Sovereign Joy or The Hidden Smile of God, but I am still glad I read it.
May 16, 2010
The part of this book on John Newton is worth double the price. Included in a short overview on Charles Simeon who and trained a generation of Pastors, suffered for the gospel, worked hard for the poor, and was resisted by his church but kept at it. Wilberforce who is the third man discussed here was a force against the slave trade, ultimately getting it outlawed in Europe. This book definetly shows what men can do when they believe the words of Christ. Highly recommended.
April 15, 2015
"Where is it that in such a world as this, [that] health, and leisure, and affluence may not find some ignorance to instruct, some wrong to redress, some want to supply, some misery to alleviate?" ~ William Wilberforce
"He lived to do good--or as Jesus said, to let his light shine before men that they might see his good deeds and give glory to his Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16)." ~ John Piper on Wilberforce
"He lived to do good--or as Jesus said, to let his light shine before men that they might see his good deeds and give glory to his Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16)." ~ John Piper on Wilberforce
August 29, 2017
John Newton is probably one of my favorite characters in Christian history. That God redeemed him from being an "infidel and libertine", shows God's gracious mercy. Wilberforce has fast become a runner up and reading this book gave me so much more insight into his life and passions. I had not heard of Charles Simeon before reading this book, but now I am well acquainted with him also. I believe you can be challenged and convicted in many ways by reading this.
May 27, 2017
Having really enjoyed and having been greatly challenged by another biographical book, Filling up the Afflictions of Christ, I chose this book to be the next book I read. Piper has done an amazing job in this series, The Swans are not Silent, of summarizing the stories of godly saints that have faithfully gone before us and of making the themes of their lives so applicable to our own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews