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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.

Conference Message

Preaching Justification Undiminished

If we depart from the traditional doctrine of the imputation of Christ’s righteousness we will diminish one of Christ’s great achievements, harm people who need this doctrine, and undermine the fruit of love.

What Should I Do If My Wife Says She Doesn't Love Me?

John Piper says that an unloved spouse should stay compassionately committed.

Conference Message

We Are Workers with You for Your Joy

Affections are to be prized, stirred, and renewed. Pastors labor alongside you and on your behalf, striving for your joy.

Emotions and the Aim of Preaching

Here is one of the most insightful and influential quotes on preaching I ever read. It’s from Jonathan Edwards I don't think ministers are to be blamed for raising the affections of their hearers too high, if that which they…

The Weight of Generations: For Noël on Mother’s Day

You bear them yet, this progeny, These little ones you bore. And, oh, how changed your mothering Since you were twenty-four You once were carried on the wings Of hope and expectations, And now you carry in your soul The…

God So Loved the World

God So Loved the World

Part 2

John 3:16 represents a glorious love, but there is more to God’s love than the free offer of the gospel.

Is It Okay to Be a Christian and Be Transgendered?

John Piper says we should delight in the sex God gave us, just as God does.

What Is "Arcing" and Why Is It Important?

John Piper gives an overview of arcing and says why he likes it so much.

How Is It That Our Sins Are Forgiven In Christ and Yet We Must Give an Account to God on the Last Day for How We Lived?

John Piper says that our deeds in this life are evidence of, not grounds for our justification.

God So Loved the World

God So Loved the World

Part 1

We have eternal life because Christ died in our place and because in him is life. He removes God’s wrath, and he supplies the everlasting life we don’t have.

What Are Your Feelings About Hellfire and Brimstone Preaching?

John Piper argues that we must preach hell, but we must preach it broken-heartedly.

Conference Message

The God-Centeredness of God

Teaching children is not about indoctrination or contextualization, but about category-creation that is rooted in the God-centeredness of God.

Can I Still Be a Christian If I Don't Believe That God Loves Himself Above All?

John Piper says that if his theology in your head makes God damnable to you, then don't believe it...yet.

Sexual Intimacy and the Rights over a Spouse’s Body in Marriage

Thoughts on the Application of 1 Corinthians 7:3–5

How can married couples break the sexual stalemate that Paul puts them in?

Repentance and Christ-Exalting Civic Engagement

There is no clear dividing line between biblical repentance and Christ-exalting civic engagement By repentance I mean turning from unbelief and sin, and trusting in Jesus as Savior, Lord, and supreme Treasure of your life. By civic engagement I mean…

How Should Christian Friends Respond to a Friend Who Has Entered a Homosexual Relationship and Moved to a Church That Accepts It?

How Should Christian Friends Respond to a Friend Who Has Entered a Homosexual Relationship and Moved to a Church That Accepts It?

John Piper recommends “holy ostracism” as a way to restore compromising Christians.

It Was the Preached Word That Saved Me

It seems that God has indeed designed that the inspired Word of the Bible become uniquely powerful by passing through a Spirit-filled person on the way to make a dead heart live. Since, in the wisdom of God, the world…

The Free Will of the Wind

The Free Will of the Wind

The wind of God’s Spirit gives new birth to whomever he pleases.

Iain Murray: Is the Reformation Over?

In a recent email update Iain Murray gave an uncommon and fitting exhortation With much attention now being given to Calvin, I hope why the Reformation was necessary will be understood afresh. We need the martyr spirit back again, and…

What Is the Responsibility of Church Leaders to Committed Regular Attenders Who Are Not Members?

John Piper says that non-members miss out on the best pastoral care.

Reinventing Parenthood

In the Minneapolis StarTribune last month, we read of the new “baby boomlet.” It illustrates how the vessel of culture sails without a biblical rudder. Alesha, 36, had her first son at age 18. She had her second when…

Panel Discussion

Discussion with Piper and Carson

Scholarship, or the hard word of deep theological thought, is an important discipline for pastors to pursue, provided they are doing it with the right motives and in the right spirit.

Conference Message

The Pastor as Scholar: A Personal Journey

The Pastor as Scholar: A Personal Journey

Pastors should strive to be scholars and scholars should strive to be pastors.

John Stott on Self-Forgetfulness

The abundance of audio and video recordings of preaching today tempts pastors to listen to themselves and look at themselves. One might improve a few things that way. But in general it’s a bad idea. John Stott explains why …

What Passages In Scripture Say That Jesus Never Sinned?

John Piper, with a little help, names a few passages that testify to Christ's spotlessness.

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