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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.

Newly Published Edwards' Essay

Oshea Davis just published in a self-standing volume (for the first time that I am aware of ) Jonathan Edwards’ Dissertation Concerning the Divine Decrees in General and Election in Particular. I am thankful for this service to the…

What's the Difference Between Living for the Kingdom and Living for the American Dream?

Listen to John Piper explain why Christians can't just "go with the flow" of American prosperity.

How the Lord of Life Gives Life

A Meditation on Acts 16:14

Why do some who are “dead in trespasses and sins” come to believe and some do not?

Ryle on Increasing Unbelief

Very, very few Christian writers are being read widely 100 years after their death. J. C. Ryle, the first Bishop of Liverpool, died in 1900. He wrote the foreword to his book, Are You Ready for the End of Time?…

Why Do You Emphasize Bible Reading and Prayer So Much?

John Piper talks about the utter essentialness of personal communion with God.

Nicodemus

Part 2

His wife was worried that his mind Would sink beneath the waves behind The battered boat of work and wealth That used to float with pride and health Upon the sea of human praise Where Nicodemus spent his days Before…

Why Do We Need to Be Born Again?

Why Do We Need to Be Born Again?

If God did not make us alive to his grace and glory, we would remain dead — completely enslaved to our sins.

How Can We Help Others Love God More Than His Gifts?

John Piper talks about ways to help stimulate affections for Christ in ourselves and others.

Conquered by Christ

The only statement Timothy McVeigh left behind when he was executed in Indiana, June 11, 2001, was a handwritten copy of the 19th century poem “Invictus” by William Henley Out of the night that covers me, Black as the Pit…

What Does Christianity Say About the Eternal State of Our Bodies?

John Piper describes God's plans for our bodies after this life is over.

When Satan Hurts Christ’s People

Reflections on Why Christians Suffer Losses

Reflections on why Christians suffer losses.

Where Is It Most Difficult to Be a Christian?

John Piper talks about how the fight for faith can be just as hard—if not harder—in America as it is anywhere else.

Nicodemus

Part 1

The wine was flowing freely at The finest wedding banquet that The folks had seen in Cana since The only daughter of the prince Of Galilee had woven what The locals called “the perfect knot.” This time the ranking Pharisee…

What Happens in the New Birth? Part 2

What Happens in the New Birth?

Part 2

Being born again is not the improvement of your old nature, but the creation of a new one.

Poem for Theologian Fathers

On August 2, 2007, Charles Simic was selected to be the 15th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress. His poem, “Full of Pictures” may have a word to fathers who study theology—or anything else for that…

Pray Global Prayers

To help you stay encouraged to pray for huge Christ-exalting movements of God, here’s what we read this morning. Each day, as part of our family devotions, Noël and Talitha and I read the daily reading from the Global Prayer…

Where Is the Balance Between Being Bold and Being Gentle?

John Piper talks about knowing when to be tough and when to be tender.

You Are Greatly Loved

Would you not love to hear the angel Gabriel say to you, “You are greatly loved”? Three times this happened to Daniel “At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell…

How Can I Have Faith in Times of Crisis?

Listen to John Piper talk about how we can keep our shield of faith up at all times.

How Bold Should Christians Be?

John Piper considers the form, fuel, and focus of Christian boldness.

Damned for the Beloved?

Sometimes Romans 9:3 is put forward as the Achilles heel of Christian Hedonism. Is a Christian Hedonist willing to be damned for those he loves Christian Hedonism says that you ought to aim at maximizing your eternal joy in…

What Happens in the New Birth? Part 1

What Happens in the New Birth?

Part 1

In the new birth, God takes dead souls and resuscitates them to new life in Christ. This is not a work of our own, but the grace of God.

How Has God Made Much of Us?

(This article is excerpted from God Is the Gospel, pages 155-162) The way God has made much of us is by creating us in his image and calling this creation “very good.” Then, after the fall, he pursues the…

How Is God’s Passion for His Own Glory Not Selfishness?

How Is God’s Passion for His Own Glory Not Selfishness?

God’s love for us keeps God at the center. It is not mainly his making much of us, but his giving us the ability to enjoy making much of him forever.

Biblical Texts to Show God’s Zeal for His Own Glory

Thirty-two evidences from Scripture that God loves his own glory most.

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