I live right down the street from this amazing used books store that is  a treasure chest of books for any theologian. Upon checking out, the owner also included a freebee titled How Do We Glorify God?, by John D. Hannah. This little book is a part of a Series about the Basics of the Reformed Faith.

With Romans 11:36 as its central focus. I found that this book was very helpful in narrowing a basic understanding of what any reformed theologian finds to be dear. With a clear cutting tone. The author holds nothing back about the current status of the church and the need for a “radical perspective”

Many churches have fallen prey to cultural assimilation. They have degenerated into self-serving enterprises whose primary celebration is to exalt God as giver and to validate a message of cultural narcissism and personal advantages. Such churches have accommodated themselves to things that are not eternal. Genuine worship is not like that. It realizes the worth of God and our dependence on him. It is not a celebration of a favored socioeconomic status within a decadent capitalistic state.

Offering several key thoughts about why the church has lost it’s God-Centeredness. Hannah offers the stark contrast of what it means to be God-Centered, placing a spot light on the five solas: Scripture alone, Christ alone, Grace alone, Faith alone and Glory to God alone. This again is an affirmation of Romans 11:36 “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” After laying this foundation Hannah offers a few answers to the radical reformed questions such as: What is the chief end of man? What is the chief end of God?

The very nature of God’s being, that is, he alone, is the cause of his creative activities. it might be explained this way: God values himself above all else, and because he does, he is himself the end of creation. When the world is consumed in the final judgment and time no longer exists, the ultimate end of God’s handiwork will be known. It will be evident then that God is the final end of all his activities.

One of the most amazing things he points out is how the chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. (Does John Piper ring a bell?) To live out life in such a way that indicates our love for the father. “True virtue is rooted in an inward perception of the holiness and beauty of God… Only a Christian can have true virtue because only a Christian can delight in God for who he is alone.” This means that all the “good” done in society apart from God is not rooted in him it is grounded in “self-love and the desire to enjoy pleasant circumstances.”

Moreover Hannah forms His thoughts around one question each day. “Will you (God) grant me the privilege of glorifying you today?” His focus isn’t; What are my duties today? His desire and focus is glorifying God through the vehicle of his tasks at hand. Rather than focusing on the tasks themselves. God desires “that he would see himself in me each day.” Hannah points out. To have a radical, God-centered perspective in a self-centered, self-loving culture is to live forth and shine forth Him for who He is and not as a mere giver of pleasing circumstances.

How marvelous a transformation this requires in the lives of believers and how marvelous is the creator who will see to its end. To God alone be all the glory!