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John Piper

John Piper is founder and teacher of Desiring God and chancellor of Bethlehem College and Seminary. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is author of more than 50 books, including Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist and most recently Foundations for Lifelong Learning: Education in Serious Joy.

Don't Look a Gift Universe in the Mouth

A cosmos, one day being rebuked by a pessimist replied, "How can you who revile me consent to speak by my machinery? Permit me to reduce you to nothingness and then we will discuss the matter." Moral. You should not…

Why Require Unregenerate Children to Act Like They’re Good?

Does expecting unbelieving kids to obey outwardly create legalism?

How Does Unbelief Contribute to the Need I Feel for Pornography?

John Piper describes how faith in Christ enables us to fight temptation.

They Will All Be Taught of God

They Will All Be Taught of God

We come to God not because we merely made a decision, but because God has called us, drawn us, and taught us who Jesus really is.

What Are Your Thoughts on the Legalization of Marijuana?

John Piper explains why and how he'd like to see marijuana legalized.

Bless the Mother of Jesus, but Mainly Be the Mother of Jesus

Be inspired by Mary, but don't venerate her more than the New Testament does.

Should the Risk of Danger Keep Me From Doing Missions?

John Piper says danger doesn't automatically exempt a person from doing missions.

Next Best to Grace: Oxygen

Charles Haddon Spurgeon wrote one of the wisest things I have ever read on dealing with discouragement or depression in the ministry. It’s called "The Minister’s Fainting Fits" from his book Lectures to My Students Here he…

Skeptical Grumbling and Sovereign Grace

Skeptical Grumbling and Sovereign Grace

When we come to Jesus, we come voluntarily and freely. And behind that change in us is a decisive work of the Father.

Little Lamb, Who Made Thee?

William Blake was born yesterday, 1757. One of his most famous poems is one of my favorites. It’s a good launch into Advent Little Lamb, who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee? Gave thee life, and bid thee…

Why Should I Want to Be a Christian?

John Piper gives one negative and one positive reason for why you should want to follow Jesus.

Why Say That Marriage Is Like Christ and the Church?

When I asked Noël if there was anything she wanted me to say about marriage, she said, “You cannot say too often that marriage is a model of Christ and the church.” I think she is right and there are…

How Clear Differences Unite Humanity

I have often said that I can go much farther down the road together with a serious, biblically oriented, articulate, firmly-believing Arminian than with a jesting, systems-oriented, unclear, wish-washy, Reformed philosopher. G. K. Chesterton helps explain why. It’s not merely…

A Chapter Closes in Advent at Bethlehem

John Piper announces the end of Advent poems.

What Role Does Your Temperament Play In Determining Your View of God and the Christian Life?

Our temperaments influence the way we view God, says John Piper. But so does the Bible.

By How Many Doors Must You Enter Paradise?

Here’s an unusual wake up call about the wonders of marriage To complain that I could only be married once was like complaining that I had only been born once. It was incommensurate with the terrible excitement of which one…

C.S. Lewis on Why to Seek an Author's Intention

In answering the question why we should care about an author’s intention, C. S. Lewis gives two answers in his book An Experiment in Criticism "Why," they ask, "should I turn from a real present experience—what the poem means…

Behold, Believe, Be Raised

Behold, Believe, Be Raised

We should hunger and thirst for God and all he has done in Jesus more than anything else in this world.

Do You Have a Particular Burden or Love For Your Hometown?

John Piper shares some of his thoughts and prayers for Minneapolis.

As Nice As They Let Me, As Mean As They Make Me

One of the growing ministries of Desiring God is the outreach to prisoners. Those of you in the Philippian Fellowship hear about this more often than the rest of our website guests On Thursday a team of four of us…

Conference Message

Questions and Answers

We should accept our calling wherever God has placed us, including prison, and we should first and foremost be loyal to the Bible, not to a certain theological camp.

Conference Message

Jesus Came Not to Give Bread but to Be Bread

Jesus Came Not to Give Bread but to Be Bread

Our greatest need is not physical but spiritual. We crave the bread of life more than bread for our stomachs.

Art and the Precious Limits of Reality

Here is Chesterton on the essence of art Art is limitation; the essence of every picture is the frame. If you draw a giraffe you must draw him with a long neck. If in your bold creative way you hold…

Conference Message

Evangelicals and “A Common Word”

Part 1: Muslim Perspectives on the Writing of A Common Word Caner Dagli and Joseph Lumbard Part 2: Christian Defenses of the Yale Response to A Common Word C. Donald Smedley and Joseph Cumming Part 3: Christian Concerns About the…

Christian Concerns About the Yale Response to A Common Word

Evangelical Theological Society

[Stream or download the entire discussion from the 2009 Evangelical Theological Society.] I agree substantially with the second sentence of A Common Word Between Us and You: “Without peace and justice between these two religious communities [Muslims and Christians]…

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