The Influences of Sin The Cool Shame Election Introduction: I will begin by saying that I owe a great deal to John Piper, and one of the central things I owe to him is respect. But be pragmatic when it comes to casting your vote. So it was, in the words of Liberty University spokesman Scott Lamb, “an unfortunate coincidence in timing” that Piper’s contentious reflection on the 2020 election came out a day after he spoke at the Christian college’s weekly convocation. John Piper answers, Greg Laurie: Let’s let go of anger in 2021, Churches, you become what you celebrate. Close. John Piper has published a piece entitled “Policies, Persons And Paths to Ruin: Pondering the Implications of the 2020 Election.” 1 It is an attempt at a thoughtful summary of some of the things a Christian should keep in mind as election day approaches. One Trump supporter called out “Calvinist heresy!” while several commenters decried “wokeness” and a “social justice agenda.”. He is the author of 25 books and hosts the nationally syndicated, daily talk radio show, the Line of Fire. Comments on Facebook posts promoting the Piper-Greear convocation appeared to be directed at both speakers. John Piper has been a friend – a good and faithful friend – for more than 40 years. Liberty’s former president Jerry Falwell Jr. was famously friends with Trump, who visited the school as a candidate in 2016 and returned to offer its commencement address as president the following year. Two videos of a discussion with Piper and Southern Baptist Convention president J. D. Greear were removed from Liberty’s social media and its convocation page at the direction of interim president Jerry Prevo. Author and theologian John Piper has waded into the debate over who Christians should be casting their vote for on 3 November. I would recommend that Pastor Piper do a little more biblical research and seek the true mind of God and His will. John Piper (John Pieper Facebook page)John Piper is one of the most respected Christian leaders in America, and I personally hold him in high esteem. (SEE UPDATE BELOW).If I read him correctly, it sounds like he will not vote for Trump or Biden. Piper tweeted the release of the article with the commentary, “This article is probably as close as you will get to an answer on how I will vote in the upcoming presidential election.” After reading the article, one cannot walk away with any other conclusion than John Piper will … 3. Before sharing my differences, though, I want to share my points of affirmation. In a recent blog post, popular pastor John Piper asserts Republicans aren’t morally rigid enough. My response, again, is simple: Trump is one man, and as destructive as his words and conduct can be – just look at the warnings in Proverbs about foolish kings – we can vote for him by the millions while at the same time modeling godlier conduct. Pastor John Piper and the 2020 elections: A respectful response. Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test? Here is a taste: In fact, I think it is a drastic mistake to think that the deadly influences of a leader come only through his policies and not also through his person. John Piper has been raising eyebrows this week. Looking For Joy Amid Chaos? John Piper on Justification. John Piper on Justification. John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. Well-known pastor John Piper made waves by declaring neither presidential candidate is someone he can vote for – Trump because of his character, Biden because of his party’s policies. I have a massive problem with a self-identified pro-life, pro-Bible Christian voting for Biden and the Democrats. John Piper is one of the most respected Christian leaders in America, and I personally hold him in high esteem. Fourth, I concur that the character flaws of our president have been very damaging. What Do We Mean … I respect and admire author and pastor John Piper, but his recent column “pondering the implications of the 2020 election” has not persuaded me against voting for Donald Trump next week. Shortly after John Piper’s election post went viral, Liberty University removed the pastor’s convocation, citing “a controversy we did not seek out or desire.” Piper’s post implored Christians to consider the candidate’s character in addition to the issues. Theologian John Piper gives a sermon at Passion 2020 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Jan. 1, 2020. Yet I differ with his suggestion that Christians might do best by sitting out the presidential election, since a vote for either Trump or Biden cannot be justified. At times like this, my counsel is simple: Be idealistic in terms of living out your own faith as a witness for the Lord. Piper states that only a naive person would think a man who displays character traits that lead to death could also be pro-life. “Now that is some theology. “Abortion is an evil the scope of which and depths of which very few people in our culture feel. John Piper. Seventh, I agree with him that, whatever path we take, it must enhance, not detract, from our witness for Jesus. Under Falwell, the university became home to the Falkirk Center, a think tank formed in partnership with conservative political activist Charlie Kirk. Yet I differ with his suggestion that Christians might do best by sitting out the presidential election, since a vote for either Trump or Biden cannot be justified.. Before sharing my differences, though, I want to share my points of affirmation. A Respectful Response to Pastor John Piper and the 2020 Election. get one year free. The only folks who don’t see it are most of the Evangelical world.”. How, then, can Christians vote for someone who embodies the former sins (such as “unrepentant boastfulness”) in the name of fighting against the latter sins (such as abortion)? That said, I believe both are egregiously wrong in this instance. Third, I agree with Pastor Piper that our obsession with the elections and the wellbeing of America undermines the reality that we are citizens of a higher kingdom and that we are only passing through this world. A daily newsletter featuring the most important and significant events on each day in Christian History. A number of years ago, he invited me to speak in Minneapolis for one … Continue Reading "John Piper, Me, and the Cool Shame Election" While abortion ranks among the top political priorities for evangelical voters, evangelicals are less than half as likely as Americans on average to say the president’s personal character is a deciding factor. In light of Dr. Piper’s tweet after publishing his article, the upshot of his article appears to be that he will not vote for Trump or Biden in the 2020 election. In an article, he argued that pride in a presidential candidate is as dangerous and likely to cause death as having a president with a liberal attitude to abortion laws. Or strip away religious freedoms. Playlist: Line of Fire TV. The surprising thing is that this in effect puts him at odds with his generation and his theological constituency. He’s mentioned Trump just a few times in the past couple years, mostly to pray for him in accordance to Scripture. I respect and admire author and pastor John Piper, but his recent column “pondering the implications of the 2020 election” has not persuaded me against voting for Donald Trump next week. On the day of President Trump’s inauguration in 2017, John Piper wrote How to Live Under an Unqualified President. Pondering the Implications of the 2020 Election. Pied Piper. 1. But we couldn’t vote for the man whose party opposed them because he was too boastful and divisive.”. Lamb said the feedback over Piper was “a controversy we did not seek out or desire” and came from “both those who would praise us for having him [and] those who would critique us from having him.” He said that it is possible the clips will be restored once the heat of the election season has died down. Theologian, author, and seminary professor Wayne Grudem has written a lengthy response to John Piper’s commentary on the 2020 election. A group called Christians Against Trumpism ran an ad in the Washington Post thanking Piper among other Christian voices who stood up against the president. If voting for a man with a sexually immoral past can give support to persecuted minorities in China, can that vote be justified? In his post, Piper twice wrote his stance was not prescriptive for all Christians (“my way need not be yours”), though it was the perspective that swayed him the most this election. 1:00PM EST 11/1/2020 Michael Brown. If we are concerned for the decay of our culture, why would we hand the country over to the crowd outside of Lot’s house? If John Piper was present in King David’s time and King David’s rule was dependent upon an election, Pastor Piper would be caught sleeping and refusing to vote. Before sharing my differences, though, I want to share my points of affirmation. According to LifeWay Research, only 2 percent of evangelicals are backing a third-party candidate in 2020, compared to 8 percent four years ago. Here’s how, America's mental health, COVID-19 and the Book of Job. CP VOICES do not necessarily reflect the views of The Christian Post. The pair recorded the session with pastor David Nasser, the senior vice president for spiritual development at Liberty, on October 12. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. As I read it, his argument is that the ungodly traits in a president’s character are more deadly for a nation than any ungodly policies because they breed ungodly traits in the citizenry. While it would be ideal for our presidents to be shining examples of morality and character, very few in our history would live up to that ideal. While the Baptist pastor doesn't mention either candidate by name, it's clear in his latest blog piece on DesiringGod.org that he … Second, I deeply share his concern that many American pastors have failed to develop “real, radical Christians,” Christians who will be willing to die for Jesus. And some political power.”. John Piper suggested in a new piece for his site, Desiring God, that he may not be voting for Donald Trump or Joe Biden in the presidential election. He points his nation to destruction. “As followers of Jesus, mobilizing ourselves for the Great Commission is the most important thing for us to do, and our commitment to Jesus and his mission is something we can all be unified around.”. In a recent blog post, popular pastor John Piper asserts Republicans aren’t morally rigid enough. Like all afflictions, they are, if we can so take them, our share in the passion of Christ. John Piper is one of the most respected Christian leaders in America, and I personally hold him in high esteem. Full report from outside investigation to be released in January. by Michael L. Brown John Piper is one of the most respected Christian leaders in America, and I personally hold him in high esteem. First 2 were part of the Strange Fire Conference, the third one was an interview with Phil Johnson and the last 4 were blog posts written by MacArthur himself in response to claims made by John Piper. Well-known pastor John Piper made waves by declaring neither presidential candidate is someone he can vote for – Trump because of his character, Biden because of his party’s policies. On the other hand, if those with a different agenda are empowered, their policies will affect us by the millions. It is another thing to empower a party that will sanction the killing of the unborn. As I read it, his argument is that the ungodly traits in a president’s character are more deadly for a nation than any ungodly policies because they breed ungodly traits in the citizenry. The school’s most recent convocation was an election-themed discussion with Republican Senator Ted Cruz and evangelist Tim Lee, a Liberty trustee and an outspoken advocate for Trump. John Piper, a popular author and speaker, made his disapproval of the president clear in a blog post on his website on Thursday. University said Piper's appearance with J. D. Greear was “unfortunate timing,” falling the same week as his viral article decrying both presidential candidates. The Reformed Christian leader wrote about the “sins that destroy people” through the “deadly influences of a leader,” arguing faithful Christian voters shouldn’t only be concerned about abortion, but should also stand against “the culture-infecting spread of the gangrene of sinful self-exaltation, and boasting, and strife-stirring.”. One of my evangelical colleagues wrote to me last week, saying, “The gospel witness has been destroyed, especially among the younger generations. Popular Reformed theologian John Piper warned Christians about being too patriotic and placing their loyalty to the “fatherland” over their loyalty to Jesus Christ. First, I wholeheartedly agree with Pastor Piper that the foremost calling of a minister of the gospel “is to lead people to see Jesus Christ, trust his forgiveness for sins, treasure him above everything in this world, live in a way that shows his all-satisfying value, and help them make it to heaven with love and holiness.”. Sign Up For Our Newsletter Timothy Keller is not an evangelical anomaly. 6. He is author of more than 50 books, including Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist and most recently Providence. Subscribers receive full access to the archives. That, without question, demeans our witness. The Pied Piper Plays Again. Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. Posted on Fri Oct 12, 2012 by dee October 13, 2012. will know that I have expressed many similar views as well. Moreover, Keller is battling pancreatic cancer and deserves our prayers and well wishes. (Photo: Passion/Kendra Harrell) There's an "eternally significant" question Donald Trump and Joe Biden should ask themselves as votes continue to be counted, says John Piper, but it's not whether they've won this election. John Piper on Christians in the 2020 Election. His Twitter feed in recent months is almost entirely Bible quotes and Bible commentary. Once again, I wholeheartedly agree with Piper’s emphasis on the gospel first (rather than “America first”). Piper states that he will vote for neither candidate, and lays out a solid argument for his stance. I wish John Piper would have come out earlier with this post. Author and pastor John Piper published a blog on October 22 that has gained lots of attention, responses, and retorts. I will therefore speak out when he acts wrongly and will model something different in my own life.”. Has Trump promoted or practiced sexual immorality since announcing his candidacy? Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. The essence of what he is saying, as I understand it, is that character matters more than anything else in leadership. I would recommend that Pastor Piper do a little more biblical research and seek the true mind of God and His will. In an article, he argued that pride in a presidential candidate is as dangerous and likely to cause death as having a president with a liberal attitude to abortion laws. John Piper is one of the most respected Christian leaders in America, and I personally hold him in high esteem. CTWeekly delivers the best content from ChristianityToday.com to your inbox each week. Posted Oct 23, 2020 by Staff. Bible translation is about more than just technical accuracy. Here’s a list of 7 times Pastor MacArthur and Phil Johnson of GTY.ORG has rebuked John Piper for his errors. Contents Introduction Are All Sins Equal? The final straw was the support of Donald Trump by these groups. (Photo: Passion/Kendra Harrell) There's an "eternally significant" question Donald Trump and Joe Biden should ask themselves as votes continue to be counted, says John Piper, but it's not whether they've won this election. @JohnPiper. John Piper suggested in a new piece for his site, Desiring God, that he may not be voting for Donald Trump or Joe Biden in the presidential election. While Piper studiously avoids mentioning either candidate by name, it doesn’t take a scholar to piece together what he’s talking about. Pied Piper. By Linda Moldovan [Photo cred, Andrew Neel] John Piper recently penned a piece on the upcoming presidential election that has incited a strong reaction from Christians of every stripe. Piper did not name specific presidential candidates or parties, but then he clarified online: He would not be voting for either Joe Biden or Donald Trump. John Piper Endorses Doug Wilson. 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