Podcast appearances and mentions of John Piper

Jesus came to orient all our attention on himself, ministering for us first on Calvary as our final Sacrifice and then in heaven as our final Priest.

Does creation make God happy? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Psalm 104:31 to show that God rejoices in his works with the delight of a wise and loving Creator.

Text us your questions!What kind of God is worth trusting when life falls apart? We pull up a chair with Thomas Jay Oord and guest Chris Lilley for a spirited, vulnerable conversation about omnipotence, evil, and why love may be the only measure of divine power that doesn't betray our moral core. The stakes are high: beliefs about God's power shape how we face suffering, talk to our kids about hope, and decide whether prayer is protest, surrender, or both. If you haven't heard our first conversation with Tom about God's power, we recommend checking that out first here.Tom lays out open and relational theism: God moves through time with us, gives and receives, and has a nature of uncontrolling love. From there he challenges three classic readings of omnipotence—doing anything, exerting all power, and unilaterally determining outcomes—arguing they either collapse logically or become morally intolerable in the face of real-world evil. Chris, a former Thomist and Reformed teacher now in the Episcopal ordination process, offers a thoughtful pushback: if omnipotence can be carefully qualified, should we abandon it, or teach it better? His turning point is painfully human: holding his newborn while teaching election and realizing he couldn't preach a God who ordains every outcome and still call that good.We wrestle with creation, “almighty” in the liturgy, liberation theology's demand for a God who not only intends justice but accomplishes it, and a hard question about the afterlife: could you rest eternally with a God who could have stopped your suffering? Tom reframes power as maximal influence—everlasting, universal, persuasive—rather than control. Kyle names the unresolved middle: if God could fix it later, why not now? The conversation doesn't hand out easy answers; it invites you to weigh goodness against power and decide which vision of God you can actually pray to.If this episode challenges or helps you, share it with a friend, hit follow, and leave a review so others can find the show.=====Want to support us?The best way is to subscribe to our Patreon. Annual memberships are available for a 10% discount.If you'd rather make a one-time donation, you can contribute through our PayPal. Other important info: Rate & review us on Apple & Spotify Follow us on social media at @PPWBPodcast Watch & comment on YouTube Email us at pastorandphilosopher@gmail.com Cheers!

How can we love our aging parents through the many challenges of caregiving? Pastor John shares counsel from Scripture and personal experience.

In dying, Christ de-fanged the devil. How? By covering all our sin. This means that Satan has no legitimate grounds to accuse us before God.

Is your body just temporary packaging? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Luke 24:36–43 to show how Jesus's eating fish reveals God's eternal “yes” to embodied life.

Giving gifts to Christ is like fasting — going without something to show that Christ is more valuable than what you are going without.

What keeps wonder alive in a weary world? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Job 37 to help us see creation as the daily joy of a God who says, “Do it again.”

Let this Christmas be the time when you ponder what it means — what it costs — to worship and follow Jesus, the Messiah.

Can a sovereign God take risks? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens 1 Timothy 6:15–16 to show how God's power and certainty anchor our courage.

With boldness and delight, the New Testament talks about God's people as elect from before the foundation of the world. Why don't we talk that way more?

Why would a gospel-driven ministry define itself as Reformed? Because Reformed theology guards and glorifies the grace at the heart of the gospel.

God influenced the stars in the sky to get a little handful of foreign magi to Bethlehem so that they would worship his Son.

Why did God create you? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Psalm 123:1–2 to show that we exist not to meet God's need but to showcase his mercy.

Christmas proves how Jesus is Messiah — a King, and Promise-Fulfiller — for all the nations, not just Israel.

The key that unlocks the treasure chest of God's peace is faith in the promises of God.

When we believe in Jesus, we receive him as living water, bread of life, and all-satisfying treasure. Saving faith is the awakening of joy in Christ.

When Jesus changed Paul from a persecutor to a preacher, he gave Paul authority as an apostle. But what does that apostleship mean for the church today?

God could have seen to it that Jesus have a room at his birth. But that would have been a detour off the Calvary road.

What if even your simplest obedience revealed God's power at work? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens 1 Peter 4:11 to show who empowers the good we do.

How can trust regrow in the aftermath of adultery? Pastor John identifies two needed miracles for a marriage to survive and thrive again.

Do not think, because you experience adversity, that the hand of the Lord is shortened.

What makes God's joy unshakable? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens 2 Corinthians 8:1–2 to show that God's delight rests in his own infinite sufficiency.

For the mind of faith, a promised act of God is as good as done.

Why does suffering drive us closer to God? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Hebrews 10:32–34 to show how pain deepens our joy in God.

The only people whose soul can truly magnify the Lord are people like Elizabeth and Mary. So, this Advent, imitate their lowliness and cheerful humility.

What makes Christian joy stronger than fleeting pleasure? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Hebrews 10:32–34 to show how Christ holds us when the world lets go.

If Christians are sons of God, why does Paul call himself a slave of God? John Piper describes what it means to be a slave (and yet a friend) of God.

Can a Christian lose patience and not be in sin? Pastor John explains why patience and impatience may be more complicated than we think.

This Advent, bend the efforts of your imagination to make the wonder of Jesus's arrival visible for your children.

Why does God delight in cheerful givers? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens 2 Corinthians 9:7 to show that real love flows from joy, not guilt or gritted teeth.

Scripture: John 1:1–3; John 1:14, 18 "Without exaggeration it can be said that every church and every Christian ought to know the Nicene Creed." – Kevin DeYoung, The Nicene Creed.   + Nicene Creed We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.   And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made.   Who, for us and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried; and the third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.   And we believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.   And we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. + Jude 3 + John 1:1-3 + John 1:14 + John 1:18 + Hebrews 1:1-3 "Though it is normal for humans to beget in time, due to the imperfection of their nature, God's offspring is eternal, because His nature is perfect." – Athanasius + Homoousia vs Homoiousia   "Jesus Christ is the Creator of the universe. Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. Jesus Christ, the Person, never had a beginning. He is absolute Reality. He has the unparalleled honor and unique glory of being there first and always. He never came into being." – John Piper, Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ. + It is necessary to believe to be saved. + 1 Corinthians 12:3 + John 17:5 + John 17:24–26 + It is how we grow to love Jesus + It is how we overcome temptation "On Christ's glory I would fix all my thoughts and desires, and the more I see of the glory of Christ, the more the painted beauties of this world will wither in my eyes, and I will be more and more crucified to this world. It will become to me like something dead and putrid, impossible for me to enjoy." – John Owen, The Glory of Christ 

No matter how dirty with sin you are, through Christ you can see the light of God's glory and believe.

Our greatest problem is alienation from God. The only solution is the blood of Christ.

David walked with God through disasters, diseases, attacks, and his own sins. What pattern of life did he follow to depend on God through it all?

What is the message of Paul's letter to Titus? John Piper points out three mountain peaks to guide those who study this powerful text.

At the root of all ingratitude is the love of one's own greatness. But genuine gratitude glorifies God because it admits that we need him.

What kind of love gives freely when life is hard and resources are few? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens 2 Corinthians 8:1–8 to reveal the joy-driven heart of true generosity.

As we steward the body, our appearance might change for the better. How do we keep our focus on being a whole person, not just an attractive shape?

The whole duty of the Christian can be summed up in this: feel, think, and act in a way that will make God look as great as he really is.

In the Christian life, is joy in God just icing, or is it the cake? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Psalm 100:2 to show that gladness in God is not extra. It's essential.

Our salvation is as secure as Christ's priesthood is indestructible. His deity and resurrection from the dead secure his indestructible priesthood for us.

Can death really be gain? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper shows from Philippians 1:20–21 that Christ is honored in death when we see being with him as far better than all we lose.

A life that gives glory to God for his grace and a life of deepest gladness are the same life. And what makes them one is thankfulness.

Why do we seek beauty and greatness? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper shows from 2 Thessalonians 1:9–10 that we were made to marvel at Christ's infinite glory.

After all that Paul says in his final letter, what parting desire did he have for Timothy? He wanted him to experience the Lord Jesus's presence with his spirit.

Satan wouldn't exist if God didn't keep him around — so why is he here? Pastor John explains four ways in which God is using Satan for his glory.

When Christ died for us, he did not buy the freedom from having to hold fast, but the enabling power to hold fast.

What if God's love for you begins with his love for himself? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Psalm 19:1 to reveal why God's glory stands at the center of the cross.

It is as unlikely that God will break his word of promise to bless us as it is that he will despise himself.