Today's "Ask Pastor John"

Does Ecclesiastes Endorse Abortion?

Another Clip Of Piper On The Prosperity Gospel

The Paradox Of The Protestant Work Ethic--John Piper

John Piper--Aging

John Piper--Healed For Holiness

Something To Think About From John Piper

Desiring God Blog

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The Tornado, the Lutherans, and Homosexuality Posted: 19 Aug 2009 10:12 PM PDT (Author: John Piper) I saw the fast-moving, misshapen, unusually-wide funnel over downtown Minneapolis from Seven Corners. I said to Kevin Dau, "That looks serious." It was. Serious in more ways than one. A friend who drove down to see the damage wrote, On a day when no severe weather was predicted or expected...a tornado forms, baffling the weather experts—most saying they've never seen anything like it. It happens right in the city. The city: Minneapolis. The tornado happens on a Wednesday...during the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America's national convention in the Minneapolis Convention Center. The convention is using Central Lutheran across the street as its church. The church has set up tents around it's building for this purpose. According to the ELCA's printed convention schedule, at 2 PM on Wednesday, August 19, the 5th session of the convention was to begin. The main item of the session: "Consideration: Proposed Social Statement on Human Sexuality." The issue is whether practicing homosexuality is a behavior that should disqualify a person from the pastoral ministry. The eyewitness of the damage continues: This curious tornado touches down just south of downtown and follows 35W straight towards the city center. It crosses I94. It is now downtown. The time: 2PM. The first buildings on the downtown side of I94 are the Minneapolis Convention Center and Central Lutheran. The tornado severely damages the convention center roof, shreds the tents, breaks off the steeple of Central Lutheran, splits what's left of the steeple in two...and then lifts. Let me venture an interpretation of this Providence with some biblical warrant. 1. The unrepentant practice of homosexual behavior (like other sins) will exclude a person from the kingdom of God. The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-10) 2. The church has always embraced those who forsake sexual sin but who still struggle with homosexual desires, rejoicing with them that all our fallen, sinful, disordered lives (all of us, no exceptions) are forgiven if we turn to Christ in faith. Such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11) 3. Therefore, official church pronouncements that condone the very sins that keep people out of the kingdom of God, are evil. They dishonor God, contradict Scripture, and implicitly promote damnation where salvation is freely offered. 4. Jesus Christ controls the wind, including all tornados. Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? (Mark 4:41) 5. When asked about a seemingly random calamity near Jerusalem where 18 people were killed, Jesus answered in general terms—an answer that would cover calamities in Minneapolis, Taiwan, or Baghdad. God's message is repent, because none of us will otherwise escape God's judgment. Jesus: "Those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:4-5) 6. Conclusion: The tornado in Minneapolis was a gentle but firm warning to the ELCA and all of us: Turn from the approval of sin. Turn from the promotion of behaviors that lead to destruction. Reaffirm the great Lutheran heritage of allegiance to the truth and authority of Scripture. Turn back from distorting the grace of God into sensuality. Rejoice in the pardon of the cross of Christ and its power to transform left and right wing sinners.

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John Piper--What Would You Change About Calvin?

John Piper -- Get A Bible With All The Words

Desiring God Blogf: Conference and Documentary Preview

Desiring God Blog

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Watch the Movie Collision at the Desiring God Conference Posted: 12 Aug 2009 07:38 AM PDT (Author: David Mathis) Desiring God will provide a special screening of the forthcoming film Collision, featuring Doug Wilson and Christopher Hitchens, on Friday evening, September 25, at our national conference in Minneapolis. Christopher Hitchens is one of the most popular new atheists. He wrote God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything. Collision is an 80-minute, documentary that follows him and Wilson on a 4-stop tour as they debate whether Christianity is good for the world. Doug Wilson is a winsome defender of the faith and has proven immensely helpful to many in his engagements with Hitchens. Since Wilson is a speaker at our conference, we thought many attendees would be eager to view the film with us. The screening will happen in the main auditorium at 9pm, following the opening session of the conference. Immediately following, John Piper will ask Wilson several follow-up questions about the film and his collision with Hitchens. The aim of our conference is to look at the majesty of Jesus and his purposes for the world through the lens of Scripture, with John Calvin's life and theology adjusting the focus. We think John Calvin would like the way God is exalted in this film, and we trust it will strengthen your faith. Here's the trailer to whet your appetite. We look forward to seeing you in Minneapolis this September!

New Curriculum for Jr. High Posted: 11 Aug 2009 11:10 PM PDT (Author: Karen Hieb) The new 28-lesson curriculum from Children Desiring God called "Abiding in Jesus" challenges junior high students to know Jesus as the savior and satisfier of their souls. Inspired by John 15, these lessons teach youth that abiding in Jesus leads to trusting him in all of life's situations and bearing spiritual fruit in him. The study features interactive teaching with small group discussion, application, and prayer. There is also a special emphasis on students experiencing Christian fellowship. The inclusion of journaling along with the teaching enables students to note important biblical truth. This will help to guide the class fellowship time and provide helpful direction for at-home Bible study and life application. Samples from "Abiding in Jesus" and other curricula from CDG are available free online.

Desiring God Blog: Marriage Checklist

This list is pretty extensive, I guess some might feel it's excessive (that person is probably not married) but I have to tell you, I really wish I had had this in my hands before I got married. I think that just being really clear about all of this stuff would save a lot of couples a lot of heartache.

Matt

Desiring God Blog

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Questions to Ask When Preparing for Marriage Posted: 05 Aug 2009 11:36 PM PDT (Author: John Piper) In each of these sections one item could be added that I have not listed, namely, How do you handle and live with differences? How do you decide what can remain differences without jeopardizing the relationship? So as you deal with each subheading, include that in the discussion. Theology What do you believe about...everything? Perhaps read through the Desiring God Affirmation of Faith to see where each other is on various biblical doctrines. Discover how you form your views. What is the reasoning-believing process? How do you handle the Bible? Worship and Devotion How important is corporate worship? Other participation in church life? How important is it to be part of a small accountability/support group? What is the importance of music in life and worship? What are your daily personal devotional practices? Prayer, reading, meditation, memorization. What would our family devotions look like? Who leads out in this? Are we doing this now in an appropriate way: praying together about our lives and future, reading the Bible together? Husband and Wife What is the meaning of headship and submission in the Bible and in our marriage? What are expectations about situations where one of you might be alone with someone of the opposite sex? How are tasks shared in the home: cleaning, cooking, washing dishes, yard work, car upkeep, repairs, shopping for food, and household stuff? What are the expectations for togetherness? What is an ideal non-special evening? How do you understand who and how often sex is initiated? Who does the checkbook—or are there two? Children If and when, should we have children? Why? How many? How far apart? Would we consider adoption? What are the standards of behavior? What are the appropriate ways to discipline them? How many strikes before they're...whatever? What are the expectations of time spent with them and when they go to bed? What signs of affection will you show them? What about school? Home school? Christian school? Public school? Lifestyle Own a home or not? Why? What kind of neighborhood? Why? How many cars? New? Used? View of money in general. How much to the church? How do you make money decisions? Where will you buy clothes: Department store? Thrift store? In between? Why? Entertainment How much money should we spend on entertainment? How often should we eat out? Where? What kind of vacations are appropriate and helpful for us? How many toys? Snowmobile, boat, cabin? Should we have a television? Where? What is fitting to watch? How much? What are the criteria for movies and theater? What will our guidelines be for the kids? Conflict What makes you angry? How do you handle your frustration or anger? Who should bring up an issue that is bothersome? What if we disagree both about what should be done, and whether it is serious? Will we go to bed angry at each other? What is our view of getting help from friends or counselors? Work Who is the main breadwinner? Should the wife work outside the home? Before kids? With kids at home? After kids? What are your views of daycare for children? What determines where you will locate? Job? Whose job? Church? Family? Friends Is it good to do things with friends but without spouse? What will you do if one of you really likes to hang out with so and so and the other doesn't? Health and Sickness Do you have, or have you had any, sicknesses or physical problems that could affect our relationship? (Allergies, cancer, eating disorders, venereal disease, etc.) Do you believe in divine healing and how would prayer relate to medical attention? How do you think about exercise and healthy eating? Do you have any habits that adversely affect health? Previously posted as "Topics for Conversation When a Man and a Woman Are Considering Marriage."

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John Piper on the Prosperity Gospel

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Preaching