John Piper (theologian)

John Stephen Piper (born 1946) is the senior pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church and a prolific author from the Calvinist perspective.

Biography

:The ministry of preaching is the central labor of my life. My prayer is that through that ministry and everything else I do the great glory of our God and Savior Jesus Christ would be magnified as more and more people come to live out the obedience of faith more and more deeply.

Related Topics:
Jesus - Christ

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Piper was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Bill and Ruth Piper January 11, 1946. When John and his older sister were still young, the Pipers moved to Greenville, South Carolina where John spent the rest of his youth years. His father was an itinerant evangelist who is still actively ministering through international radio and Bible courses. John has written a tribute to his mother, who died in 1974, in the booklet, What's the Difference? (Crossway Books, 1990) which is also chapter one of the book, Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (Crossway Books, 1991).

Related Topics:
Chattanooga, Tennessee - January 11 - Greenville, South Carolina - Evangelist - Bible - 1974

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At Wheaton College (1964–68), John majored in Literature and minored in Philosophy. Studying Romantic Literature with Clyde Kilby stimulated the poetic side of his nature and today he regularly writes poems to celebrate special family occasions as well as composing story-poems (based on the life of a Biblical character) for his congregation during the four weeks of Advent each year. At Wheaton, John also met Noël Henry whom he married 1968.

Related Topics:
Wheaton College - Literature - Philosophy - Romantic - Advent - 1968

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Following college he completed a Bachelor of Divinity degree at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California (1968-71). While at Fuller, John took as many courses as he could from Dr. Daniel Fuller, the most influential "living" teacher in his life. Through Dr. Fuller he discovered the writings of Jonathan Edwards, his most influential "dead" teacher.

Related Topics:
Fuller Theological Seminary - Pasadena, California - Daniel Fuller - Jonathan Edwards

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John did his doctoral work in New Testament Studies at the University of Munich, Munich, West Germany (1971-74). His dissertation, Love Your Enemies, was published by Cambridge University Press and Baker Book House. Upon completion of his doctorate he went on to teach Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota for six years (1974-80).

Related Topics:
University of Munich - Munich - Cambridge University Press - Baker Book House - Bethel College - St. Paul, Minnesota

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In 1980, after what he described as an irresistible call of the Lord to preach, John became the senior pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he has been ministering ever since. John is also a contributor to WORLD Magazine.

Related Topics:
1980 - Minneapolis, Minnesota - WORLD

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John and Noël have four sons, a daughter, and three grandchildren.

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