Pondering the Implications of the 2020 Election. Timothy Keller is not an evangelical anomaly. 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. 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. 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 … John Piper on Christians in the 2020 Election. 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. I wish John Piper would have come out earlier with this post. But I wonder if future generations would understand if we explained the loss of our freedoms and the slaughter of millions of more babies by saying, “Yes, one party espoused these terrible policies. That, without question, demeans our witness. 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. 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.”. 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. 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. His refusal to vote for either major party candidate puts him in the minority among evangelicals. Over on John Piper’s Desiring God site, the famous pastor and author has put together a lengthy post on his thoughts on an upcoming election you may have heard about. 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. Theologian John Piper gives a sermon at Passion 2020 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Jan. 1, 2020. In an episode of the podcast “Ask Pastor John” posted before Independence Day, a listener named Matt asked Piper about how patriotism fit in the Christian life. While Piper studiously avoids mentioning either candidate by name, it doesn’t take … I have a massive problem with a self-identified pro-life, pro-Bible Christian voting for Biden and the Democrats. Theologian, author, and seminary professor Wayne Grudem has written a lengthy response to John Piper’s commentary on the 2020 election. John Piper (John Pieper Facebook page) John Piper … And does he get credit for keeping his promises and commitments in ways that few presidents in our lifetime have done? Before sharing my differences, though, I want to share my points of affirmation. Whipping out the ultimate tool in the pastor’s complexifying toolbox, he employs biblical Greek to add authority to his case against Trump and against voting at all. 6. Once again, I wholeheartedly agree with Piper’s emphasis on the gospel first (rather than “America first”). Like all afflictions, they are, if we can so take them, our share in the passion of Christ. “Now that is some theology. 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. Author and pastor John Piper published a blog on October 22 that has gained lots of attention, responses, and retorts. will know that I have expressed many similar views as well. He’s mentioned Trump just a few times in the past couple years, mostly to pray for him in accordance to Scripture. Dr. I would recommend that Pastor Piper do a little more biblical research and seek the true mind of God and His will. “This article is probably as close as you will get to an answer on how I will vote in the upcoming presidential election,” Piper writes in an article titled Policies, Persons, and Paths to Ruin: Pondering the implications of the 2020 election. Posted Oct 23, 2020 by Staff. No doubt both are under a great deal of pressure to declare decisively on this election. That being said, I differ with Pastor Piper’s assessment of the situation and with his comparison of the personal failings of Trump with the policies of the Democratic party. John Piper (John Pieper Facebook page) John Piper … John Piper, a popular author and speaker, made his disapproval of the president clear in a blog post on his website on Thursday. Looking For Joy Amid Chaos? We can cast a ballot in his name on November 3 while shouting from the rooftops that our hope is in the Lord, not in a man or a party. Piper said he is baffled and bewildered over the fact that some Christians think they are “saving human lives and freedoms” by downplaying the destructive effects of a “self-absorbed, self-exalting” leader. The essence of what he is saying, as I understand it, is that character matters more than anything else in leadership. Over on John Piper’s Desiring God site, the famous pastor and author has put together a lengthy post on his thoughts on an upcoming election you may have heard about. Politics is not the central responsibility of Christians, but it is one aspect of the central responsibility, which is seeking first the kingdom of God in all things. When it comes to Trump, we can vote for his policies while saying, “I don’t like many of the things he does and feel his example is often very destructive. Pastor John Piper and the 2020 elections: A respectful response. 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.”. “The sole purpose of our conversation was to challenge Liberty students to consider how God wanted to use their lives in the Great Commission,” he said. John Piper on Christians in the 2020 Election. In a recent blog post, popular pastor John Piper asserts Republicans aren’t morally rigid enough. If voting for a man who often lies and exaggerates can stop the rise of an anti-God socialism, can that vote be justified? 2. It aired Friday and is still available online. Full report from outside investigation to be released in January. 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. John Piper Invites Rick Warren to speak at 2010 Desiring God Conference | Passion/Garrett Lobaugh John Piper has issued a blistering condemnation of President Donald Trump, warning Christian voters that the president's “deadly behavior” will lead the U.S. to “destruction of more kinds than we can imagine.” Join over 250,000 others to get the top stories curated daily, plus special offers! John Piper on Final Justification by Works. “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,” Piper … While Piper studiously avoids mentioning either candidate by name, it doesn’t take a scholar to piece together what he’s talking about. According to LifeWay Research, only 2 percent of evangelicals are backing a third-party candidate in 2020, compared to 8 percent four years ago. Greear said in a statement to CT that he was “disappointed” in the decision to remove the video. Tweet. He stated then that he believed that Donald Trump was morally unqualified to … News and Current Events :: Pastor John Piper on Presidential Election Re: , on: 2020/10/24 18:19 BeginQuote: It is the sins of the preachers who failed to teach the people the way of life. 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. The surprising thing is that this in effect puts him at odds with his generation and his theological constituency. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Some people feel guilty about their anxieties and regard them as a defect of faith but they are afflictions, not sins. 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. John Piper is one of the most respected Christian leaders in America, and I personally hold him in high esteem. Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. Theologian John Piper gives a sermon at Passion 2020 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Jan. 1, 2020. Tim Keller and John Piper have had long, fruitful ministries. 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. Piper said he is baffled and bewildered over the fact that some Christians think they are “saving human lives and freedoms” by downplaying the destructive effects of a “self-absorbed, self-exalting” leader. Do you want award-winning journalism with a Christian worldview, delivered to your inbox? 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. Twitter. 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. Piper concludes with truisms that Christians will not dispute. 3. In a recent blog post, popular pastor John Piper asserts Republicans aren’t morally rigid enough. It is another thing to empower a party that will sanction the killing of the unborn. A Respectful Response to Pastor John Piper and the 2020 Election. 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. A Respectful Response to Pastor John Piper and the 2020 Election. Here’s a list of 7 times Pastor MacArthur and Phil Johnson of GTY.ORG has rebuked John Piper for his errors. Popular reformed theologian John Piper shared his thoughts on the upcoming election on his website Desiring God. 4. Timothy Keller is not an evangelical anomaly. But we couldn’t vote for the man whose party opposed them because he was too boastful and divisive.”. John Piper Weighs In on Trump. 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. I thank God for his remarkable worldwide ministry, his evident deep love for God, his faithfulness to every word of Scripture, and the way his life of self-sacrifice continues to provide a challenge to me personally. On the day of President Trump’s inauguration in 2017, John Piper wrote How to Live Under an Unqualified President. 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. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. And the article has fostered a needed conversation among Christians about voting in this election. Seventh, I agree with him that, whatever path we take, it must enhance, not detract, from our witness for Jesus. 2. Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test? Michael Brown holds a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages and Literatures from New York University and has served as a professor at a number of seminaries. The Pied Piper Plays Again. The pair recorded the session with pastor David Nasser, the senior vice president for spiritual development at Liberty, on October 12. Christian preacher and author John Piper is one of the few conservative Christian figures who doesn’t have glowing reviews of Donald Trump.. One Trump supporter called out “Calvinist heresy!” while several commenters decried “wokeness” and a “social justice agenda.”. And some political power.”. 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. 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. “Obviously, as Christians we […] An important and overlooked part of John Piper’s election post October 27, 2020 October 27, 2020 / johnfea In the midst of the all the political back and forth , Piper’s message to pastors may be the most important part of his anti-Trump post . 5. 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. His position was also misread by some “Never Trump” evangelicals who are campaigning for Biden this election. Popular Reformed theologian John Piper warned Christians about being too patriotic and placing their loyalty to the “fatherland” over their loyalty to Jesus Christ. Dr. Brown Responds to Pastor John Piper on the Elections. Popular reformed theologian John Piper shared his thoughts on the upcoming election on his website Desiring God. The two-part discussion aired October 21 and 23. CP VOICES do not necessarily reflect the views of The Christian Post. 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. Topic: Politics. Next, it is one thing to elect a boastful, divisive leader. I would recommend that Pastor Piper do a little more biblical research and seek the true mind of God and His will. John Piper is soothing the conscience of people who will vote for evil policies that are far deadlier than any character concerns of Donald Trump. “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,” Piper … (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. Brett McCracken applies food-pyramid principles to our habits of media consumption. Or give free reign to foreign, tyrannical regimes. I will therefore speak out when he acts wrongly and will model something different in my own life.”. Playlist: Line of Fire TV. 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. Piper states that only a naive person would think a man who displays character traits that lead to death could also be pro-life. 1. To begin with, the political system itself is earthly and flawed, with all candidates being far from perfect. Theologian John Piper gives a sermon at Passion 2020 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Jan. 1, 2020. What Do We Mean … Your daily news briefing from the editors of CT. Jerry Falwell Jr. Takes Leave of Absence from Liberty, After Binging on the Internet in 2020, We Need a Major Knowledge-Diet Overhaul. Moreover, Keller is battling pancreatic cancer and deserves our prayers and well wishes. 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. But it fails to realize that many of the younger generations were already turned off by our affirmation of biblical values, which includes our rejection of the “pro-choice” position and our opposition to LGBTQ activism. The only folks who don’t see it are most of the Evangelical world.”. He points his nation to destruction. John Stephen Piper (born January 11, 1946) is a theologian and pastor who is the founder and senior teacher of desiringGod.org, and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (SEE UPDATE BELOW).If I read him correctly, it sounds like he will not vote for Trump or Biden. Latest Videos. Among the other things he talked about, his assessment of Barack Obama is particularly helpful. 3. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s). Like all afflictions, they are, if we can so take them, our share in the passion of Christ. A week and a half before the election, theologian John Piper shared what quickly became one of American evangelicals’ most-talked-about political opinions of the campaign season. John Piper has been raising eyebrows this week. John Piper has been a friend – a good and faithful friend – for more than 40 years. 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. 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. 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. Contents Introduction Are All Sins Equal? by Michael L. Brown John Piper is one of the most respected Christian leaders in America, and I personally hold him in high esteem. He teamed up with Greear, whose new book asks What Are You Going to Do With Your Life?, to challenge a new generation with a message about living faithful and missional lives. We can proclaim that JESUS IS OUR SAVIOR and Trump is just our president (with giant fonts for the former and small fonts for the latter). Finally, when it comes to listing the sins of Trump, Pastor Piper may have gone a little too far. Sixth, I respect the humility with which Pastor Piper presents his viewpoint, making clear that he is not telling anyone else how to vote. John Piper has been a friend – a good and faithful friend – for more than 40 years. John Piper is one of the most respected Christian leaders in America, and I personally hold him in high esteem. 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