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Rating:  - Inspiration for New Christian Leaders
As you can see by the book's subtitle, this little book has three biographical pieces on well known historical Christians. Though most Christians know the names of these men, few know any more than that. So this book serves as a useful introduction to their lives and work.
But this book offers more that just a general introduction. These essays were originally conference talks given by the author to an audience of pastors. So there is a specific theme and purpose to them beyond summary historical information. Lessons from the lives of these men are drawn out to inspire and equip a new generation of Christian leaders.
I was personally most inspired by the chapter on Martin Luther. I was greatly convicted to be more diligent in the study of God's word. But all three essays were interesting and provoked personal reflection.
Rating: - A Sovereign Joy in God that Transforms Lives
Though this book does not provide a very deep detailed personal bio on Augustine, Luther and Calvin (since it's only a mere 150 pages), it's inspiring to see how God's triumphant grace and supremacy reigns in the lives of these spiritual giants.
I see a common thread that runs across the lives of these three great saints and that is, a "sovereign joy" in God. It is this joy that fueled their passion to live for God and preach His Word with audacity amidst suffering and persecution.
First, we learn how God changed the life of Aurelius Augustine, who was in bondage to sexual immorality for so many years. But the duration of his bondage only magnifies the power of God's saving grace in his life. The chapter on Augustine helps me see the role of "sovereign joy" in battling sin. As John Piper explains, when God gives us His saving grace (or converting grace), He gives us a sovereign joy in Him that triumphs over all other joys in sin, and therefore sways our will. Hence, the quest for holiness (for Augustine and us) is the quest for satisfaction in God: to delight and be satisfied in God more than we delight in the "fruitless joys" of sin.
Second, we learn of Martin Luther's devotion to the sacred study of God's Word (even amidst suffering and persecution) and the outpouring of joy that flows from the Scripture. Third, we learn of John Calvin's remarkable commitment to sequential expositional preaching and how God used his teaching to open many eyes to the joy of proclaiming and receiving the Word.
This book is inspiring in that we could see despite of (or perhaps, in spite of) these saints' flaws and sins in the past (i.e. Augustine's sexual immorality, Luther's ill-temper, etc.) God not only transformed their lives but can also use His flawed people (as He can with us) to influence and impact others' lives for Him.
Rating:  - Avoid the cycle of imitation, intimidation, and resignation.
Most reviewers have hit upon the highlights of this book. I do not feel the need to repeat it.
This book is a set of mini-biographies of the lives of three flawed saints. I emphasize the word "flawed" because one of the things I appreciated most about this book was how it emphasized each man's weaknesses and sin. These were flawed saints. There is no saint who is not flawed. When it comes to heroes, there is an easy downward slip from the desire for imitation to the discouragement of intimidation to the deadness of resignation. Seeing their weaknesses and how God's grace triumphed in them is to see Christ's strength perfected in weakness.
And seeing how they sang of their sovereign joy of God in the midst of incredible opposition both from the world and their sin gives me hope; for I am flawed, I am imperfect, and I struggle with sin. But oh, I sing for my Sovereign Joy! There is hope in these pages that even men of God sin, but God pulls them out of the mirey clay as an example of His grace, not their greatness.
While I wish Piper could have gone a little bit deeper, I found in his book enough to meditate upon, and a spark has ignited a desire to learn more about these men in order to see their God, their Sovereign Joy.
Rating: - The Cricket Chirps, The Swan is Silent
John Piper's series of biographies, The Swans Are Not Silent, of which this is the first book, is so named for multiple reasons that come out in the preface. When Augustine was handing over his administrative duties to an assistant named Eraclius, Eraclius was asked to give a message. As Augustine sat silently on the bishops throne behind, Eraclius said, "The cricket chirps, the swan is silent." This is how I feel looking at the way that God has impacted men like Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Edwards, Owen, and even Piper. Being motivated by the grace that God has shown them in their lives and learning from their lessons, as I go out to the world with the motive of Paul that is seen in so many of these great men in history, "Him we declare, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom so that we may present everyone mature in Christ (Colossians 1:28 ESV)," my words feel like the chirps of crickets next to the songs of these gifted swans. Sometimes, one of the best ways to let their songs be sung is to let them sing them for themselves through the words that they wrote and the testimony that they left. That is what John Piper has done in this book, and it has definitely had its desired effect.
Rating:  - Not what I was expecting, but quite good.
I have only good things to say about the man John Piper, both as a theologian and pastor. I was however, a little disapointed with this book. I love all three of these Christian heros and was very excited to read about their lives and ministries especially agaist the backdrop of their blatent failures. Piper however, spends more time molding their lives into three preset themes he wishes to discuss then their lives themselves. His chosen themes are Sovereign Joy, Sacred Study, and The Divine Majesty of the Word.
This book is certainly not a biography (something that is tipped off by its 150 pages of large type) but is interesting if you wish to read about all of the aformentioned ideas. It certainly is a quick read and worth the edification. I would reccommend though that after this book you read some of the men themselves to get a fuller picture of their lives and more importantly, how they display God's glory.
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