Forever: Why You Can’t Live Without It

How often do you really think about eternity? While I hope that many of us would answer "quite regularly," the way we live would certainly suggest that whatever thought we do give to eternity doesn't really impact our lives. Why is this? Why have we forgotten this fundamental reality of the Christian faith? In his latest book, Forever: Why You Can't Live Without It, Paul David Tripp argues that we may have succumbed to what he describes as "eternity amnesia," and in this book's 14 chapters, he seeks to remind us why we can't ignore "forever."

While there's no strict division within the book, readers could roughly break Forever up into two (ish) parts. The first five chapters primarily lay the foundation for why a healthy view of eternity matters in the Christian life. Tripp's work here is exceptional here as he identifies the issue and the solution. The problem, he says, is that while God has made us for eternity (Eccl. 3:11 says that God "has put eternity into man's heart"), we have "functionally discarded the once widely held belief in an afterlife, a reality we cannot embrace without it influencing the way we live" (p. 22).

"Without forever in the center of our thinking, our picture of life is like a jigsaw puzzle missing a central piece. You will simply not have an accurate view of the picture without the piece of the puzzle entitled 'forever.'"

This is a powerful--and, I believe accurate--assessment of the problem. We might give assent to the idea that there is an afterlife, yet we act as though it doesn't make a difference. We live like now is all there is and it wrecks us as we struggle with unrealistic expectations, being too self-focused, asking too much of others, become controlling or fearful, question the goodness of God, live lives that are more disappointed than thankful, lack motivation and hope and often live as if life has no consequences (see pp. 24-26 for Tripp's summaries of each of these symptoms of eternity amnesia). The result, he argues, is that we have become schizophrenic. "We are forever people who have quit believing in forever. . . . The forever-ism that is hardwired inside you collides with the now-ism that is everywhere around you, resulting in a lot of carnage" (pp. 26-27).

Chapters two through five unpack these ideas in greater detail, confronting readers repeatedly with the reality that having a healthy view of eternity leads to a different kind of mentality. It's one that seeks not to pack everything into this life, but to prepare for the one that is to come (which, incidentally, does include enjoying the good gifts God has given us in creation). It helps us recognize the unnaturalness of death and recognize the consequences of sin and how the grace of God frees us from our "amnesia" to begin to live in light of eternity. Tripp's addressing the consequences of sin is perhaps one of the strongest areas of the book. He writes:

"We have the ability to look at sin and not see it as sinful at all. When we do this, we are in grave danger. The fact that we think eternal punishment is harsh and makes God less than fair demonstrates how far we have strayed from the biblical understanding of how evil evil is and how gloriously holy God is. . . . Perhaps the biblical description of the torment of hell is one of the only accurate mechanisms we have been given to weigh the magnitude of the sinfulness of sin." (p. 62)

This should force us to consider how we view the holiness of God. Do we think that God is unfair if hell exists? Do we act as though God is somehow a moral monster if He chooses to show mercy to some and justice to others? These are not questions that are easy for us to answer, but they are well worth our consideration. A right view of what Tripp calls the "dark side of eternity" forces us to take sin that much more seriously and to marvel at God's grace much more significantly than perhaps we do. "When you minimize sin, you devalue grace as well" (p. 64).

Chapters 6 through 14 start dealing heavily with the practical implications of a right view of eternity. A right view of eternity rescues us from a miserable faith. It gives us hope not in temporal things, but in Christ and His future return. It grounds our perseverance so that we can suffer well. It transforms our relationships, how we parent and how we work, preventing us from trying to find our hope in our spouses, kids and jobs. And a right view of eternity gives us lasting joy--joy that is based not in the fleeting pleasures of this world but in the God who created and sustains all things. This is a vision of which we all need to be reminded!

When it comes to issues with Forever, you won't find many quibbles from me when it comes to content. My frustrations are primarily structural. This book is sure to frustrate some readers as it succumbs to "conference-itis". This is a pattern I've noticed in recent releases from other authors that at best has mixed results. You get really good content, but it can be frustrating as you're not really reading a book so much as you're reading what appears to be a series of related, but ultimately standalone essays. Because of this, there is a great deal of overlap in content that borders on repetitive. Again, the content is terrific, but I'm not sure that the presentation matched the material's strength.

In Forever, Paul Tripp offers readers a practical, helpful, and (most importantly) biblical look at the importance of eternity. I trust that readers will be blessed and challenged by it and will embrace a healthy view of forever.

Paul David Tripp, author of many books on parenting and counseling, has written a timely book on the perspective of forever from both a biblical and practical perspective. The books is designed to give the readers a longing for eternity with God but also to put in proper perspective the way we should live here on earth. Too often, as Tripp points out the first chapter, we set ourselves up for failure by having unreal expectatios, focusing too much on our self and expecting or asking too much of people (24-25). If we live without eternity in mind, then we on a course for disaster not only personally but spiritually.

In chapter two, Tripp recognizes that we often try to pack eveything into our day, our lives in order that we don't leave any stone unturned (in our dreams, desires and hopes). Yet, we live as if this was the only destination for us. He writes, "He knows that this is a terribly broken world that, in its present state, does not function they way he intended" (34). The present world is marred but sin in such a way that it doesn't function in reflecting the glory of God in proper way. Because we live as if this life is all that matters, we place such lofty expectations upon people, experiences, and relationships that we are often disappointed. Tripp points us to see this present life as preparing for life in the presence of God, not as living like now is our final destination. This book is amazing because Tripp combines examples of people facing difficulties and their lack of an eternal perspective that reflects much of my own thinking. Secondly, he uses the Scriptures to point out the plan of God for his people (the story of God's redemption also).

Parenting is such a great task that I found his wisdom on parenting to invaluable. In one part, Tripp writes, "I have found a series of five questions to be very helpful in stimulating this kind of conversation. What was going on?...What were you thinking and feeling as it was happening?...What did you do in response?... Why did you do it; what were you trying to accomplish?...What was the result?" (150). Often we talk at our kids, telling them what to do, how to behave instead of talking with them (149). These questions I thought were important because using them helps in drawing the child's own understanding of what was going in their rebellion and leading them back to God. When disciplining my own child, I often find that if I bark at her, she only feels disappointed, hurt, and unresponsive. Yet, when I use parts of these questions with her, she sees her action and wants to do right.

The chapter on Forever and Work was the best. I often fall into the trap of seeing work as a necessary evil, but Tripp points us to a more robust biblical and theological picture. "Adam and Eve were designed for work, and they were commisioned by God to work before sin and death ever entered the world" (161). No, work is not inherently bad or evil. Work is actually part of the created order in which we live. Yet, as Tripp points out, since the fall work is painful and toilsome in many ways. Working for God's glory with eternity in mind is part of God's calling for our lives, seeing work not as just another paycheck, but as being made for work.

This book was a marvelous work at getting readers to seek God from an eternal perspective. Even more, Tripp calls his readers in every area of life to forego the destination mentality of life and look at God's fashioning us for a purpose as a preparation for the next life. This is definitely one of those books that I will go back time and time again to think about its wisdom.

Thanks to Zondervan for the the review copy of this book.

"Forever" by Paul David Tripp explores a largely-ignored but valuable and practical theme. Tripp contends that in order to live the right kind of life in the here and now, we need constantly to look ahead to eternity. He observes how many are separated from eternity in their minds. Some are distracted. Others are busy trying to pack everything into their short earthly lives, fearful of missing some experience. In so doing, they miss out on greater things: joy, relationships, contentment. He reminds us that physical death is waiting and, after that, judgment. Ignoring these realities is no way to prepare for them.

Furthermore, gaining and keeping an eternal perspective is part of God's sanctifying work. My relationships are enriched when I am reminded that God is in control of history. I need not control others. If I know that God will see me through to the end, I'm reminded that I must be in his hands presently. Realizing my needs will be ultimately and abundantly met by Him frees me from frantic self-preservation and opens the way to giving up my time and myself. It allows me to love others. As well, keeping a long view makes still-painful suffering bearable. I can enjoy peace of mind when I detach my hopes from the temporary things that offer no assurance and place them in my Creator and Redeemer who cannot fail. Because we were made for eternity, eternity is inside us. The present world, while good and valuable, points us to the next. The imperfect directs us with grateful attention to the perfect. These are all important biblical insights from which I benefited.

It is obvious Tripp has thought long, often, and deeply about his subject. His short stories of people and their situations made it evident that he understands humanity. I envy him for this. Though there's much wisdom in this book, it will take faith to accept it and even greater faith to apply it. Can you make giant adjustments to your beliefs, values, desires, and behavior according to something you've not yet seen or put your hands on?

I would have given the book 5 stars if I hadn't found it to be tediously redundant from beginning to end. What is written in 200 pages could be easily condensed to 150. I'm not implying Tripp is a bad writer, just wordy. I think he needs a more aggressive editor. That alone shouldn't stop you from reading this compelling book.

Hoping in eternity can majorly change your view of the now.

Awesome book!!! I'm very discerning when reading Christian books. Doing this with ladies for a Bible Study. We're really enjoying this one. I did his Age of Opportunity years ago and Highly Recommend!!!!

Bought as a gift, was told great and inspiring. Quick shipping

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Great seller. Am enjoying reading this book and gaining an eternity perspective.

Absolutely wonderful book, reminding us of where we should be focused each day as we live to glorify our Lord!

This book will change your life.