What's the Difference?: Manhood and Womanhood Defined According to the Bible

I decided to read What's the Difference? primarily because I want a better understanding about what God says about myself and my wife. Like most married men, I want a stronger marriage. This short book is actually one of the chapters from a much larger book called Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. Pastor Piper believes in complementarianism which is the theological view that because men and women are different genders, we are designed for different (complementary) roles and responsibilities. We are of the same worth before God, but we do not share the same authority and responsibilities in church and family. The Bible teaches that I am to lovingly lead, protect and provide for my wife and girls, and that my beautiful and intelligent wife is to help me in my role. If you find that archaic, you need to read this short book to complement your reading of the Book. What's the Difference? is the seventh Piper book I have completed, and I hope to complete books #8 (This Momentary Marriage) and #9 (The Future of Justification) next month.

I was given exactly what was expected. It was a quick overview and gave me a good idea of what to expect in the bigger edition. Enjoyed it and it was a fairly easy read. At least in comparison to some of his other books. Would reccamend this book to others with out a doubt.

I bought this book to read on a nine hour none stop flight to Hawaii. After being seated I started reading it and could not put it down. My wife seated next to me joined in and we had a good time reading parts of it together. Upon my finishing the book on the flight, we later came to the same conclusion. There was good stuff in there for the both of us. Many in parts of the U.S.A. have attempted to make a truth of the great myth of super moms, girls and women. Also buffoon like characters are being betrayed by many of our boys/men/dads and husbands in the media to aid this myth of the super women. This book comes to our rescue. Also with all the confusion made in parts of the world today due to an effort to take away the differences between men and women, we need a lesson on those differences and why. In comes this book. The book walks us through the created intent of the roles of the man and the woman. It helps the man to see his role and the women to see hers. All in all recognizing that both have the "same essence, therefore same value", just different roles for both to see and to live out. Within the bonds of marriage it's an aid to the male and the female on how to restore those roles and check invasive thinking patterns that come from the popular culture to work against that intent. Within this intent singles also learn how to conduct themselves as men and women, therefore diminishing unwise competition between the two sexes. He tells the man how he can be strong, yet inclusive, and loving towards his wife (girlfriend). He tells the wife how be assertive within the bounds of being lady-like, yet not undermining the role of her husband (boyfriend) in he assertion. A good work for all to read, I highly recommend it, so much so that I have bought this book and given it to others. This book is a great prelude into the greater works that deal with "the roles of men and women", and that to help us to counter today's "popular culture". HDS

I was very impressed by this small booklet. Piper goes through this controversial issue and lays down a solid framework for understanding Biblical manhood and womenhood.He avoids some of the extremes that we find in our society (ie. outright feminism or outright male domination and abuse) and gives some great practical advise on the fundamental differences between the two sexes.

John Piper delivers a carefully studied Biblical portrait of what it means to be a man or a woman. The principles are based on sound Biblical exegesis, but without a lot of technicality and detail. The chapters dealing with "The Meaning of Masculinity" and "The Meaning of Femininity" are dealt with by the use of carefully constructed definitions that are unfolded word-by-word. Extensive space is given to describing the masculine role of leadership. Piper's approach is Scriptural, and therefore relevant; and he labors hard to bridge any apparant gaps between the Biblical model and its contemporary relevance. He avoids hard and fast rules for specific circumstances, and sticks to sold principles which should govern male-female relationships of differing levels. This would be an excellent book for pastoral premarital counselling.