Ask Pastor John

Ask Pastor John

John Piper answering tough theological and pastoral questions.

Episodes

How Did Jesus Freely Live a Scripted Life?

March 17, 2025 • 11 mins
As Jesus headed toward the cross, he knew he was fulfilling the script that was written for him. So, how did he authentically choose a death already decided?
Mark as Played

How Much of Christianity Remains a Secret?

March 13, 2025 • 14 mins
How much of the Christian faith has already been revealed to us now, and how much of it remains a secret that we won’t understand until we get to heaven?
Mark as Played

If No One Seeks God, How Is Anyone Saved?

March 10, 2025 • 13 mins
If sinners cannot seek God, how does anyone receive salvation? Pastor John shows that God must give his power and grace precisely because we cannot seek him on our own.
Mark as Played

Are Christians Happier Than Non-Christians in This Life?

March 6, 2025 • 11 mins
Why are Christians most to be pitied if there’s no resurrection? Don’t we still experience more joy than non-Christians? Pastor John gives four responses.
Mark as Played

I Never Felt Like God’s Enemy — Was I?

March 3, 2025 • 14 mins
If we have no memory of hating or opposing God before he saved us, then how should we understand the Bible’s claim that we were his enemy?
Mark as Played

Advice for Reading Romans After Decades of Experience

February 27, 2025 • 12 mins
Why does Pastor John believe Romans is the greatest letter ever written? And how would he encourage Christians to benefit from this monumental book?
Mark as Played

Should I Use AI to Help Me Write Sermons?

February 24, 2025 • 14 mins
Should pastors and ministry leaders use artificial intelligence as a tool to write their sermons and newsletters? If so, how? If not, why not?
Mark as Played

Every Good Sermon Has Application

February 20, 2025 • 14 mins
How much life application should pastors offer in their sermons? Pastor John commends interweaving exposition and application throughout each sermon.
Mark as Played

What Makes Someone Spiritually Dirty?

February 17, 2025 • 11 mins
When Jesus taught that impurity comes from within, was he departing from the Old Testament? Pastor John considers purity across the covenants.
Mark as Played

Why Does the Bible Say Baptism Saves Us?

February 13, 2025 • 15 mins
If God justifies by faith apart from works, then why do some passages seem to suggest that forgiveness comes through the act of baptism?
Mark as Played

Living with Gospel-Sized Ambition

February 10, 2025 • 11 mins
Acts 20:24 has encouraged and challenged Christians throughout the centuries. How, in particular, has it shaped the life and ministry of John Piper?
Mark as Played

Why Is Witchcraft Handled So Differently Across Scripture?

February 6, 2025 • 12 mins
In the Old Testament, witchcraft is met with capital punishment — but not in the New. Why does God handle this sin differently across redemptive history?
Mark as Played

Is There Good Magic and Edifying Sorcery?

February 3, 2025 • 14 mins
Do the signs and wonders in Scripture justify using righteous magic in fiction? Pastor John helps us discern the kinds of stories that serve our sight of Reality.
Mark as Played

How Do I Become Happy in God?

January 30, 2025 • 13 mins
Sometimes, the story of another Christian’s joy in God serves to kindle our own. Pastor John takes us to a remarkable moment in the life of Hudson Taylor.
Mark as Played

If God Pastors Me, Why Do I Need Pastors?

January 27, 2025 • 12 mins
God could have designed the world so that all the help we need comes from him directly. Instead, he often ministers to us indirectly through other people. Why?
Mark as Played

How Do I Apply Bible Stories to My Life?

January 23, 2025 • 17 mins
How can we begin to grasp the meaning of biblical narratives and their application to life? Pastor John offers an example from the story of Joseph.
Mark as Played

One Believer Dies, Another Lives: On Reading Providence

January 20, 2025 • 10 mins
In Acts 12, God allows Herod to kill James, but he thwarts the king’s plan to kill Peter. What might this chapter teach us about God’s providence?
Mark as Played

The Pleasure That Defeats Pornography

January 16, 2025 • 12 mins
How does a promise about the future help us fight for purity today? Pastor John unpacks the power of the greatest pleasure purchased at the greatest price.
Mark as Played

Does God Believe in Atheists?

January 13, 2025 • 12 mins
People for millennia have said, in one way or another, “There is no God.” Pastor John describes five ways we suppress the knowledge of God’s existence.
Mark as Played

Is Heaven a Real Place Right Now?

January 9, 2025 • 16 mins
Is heaven a physical place that exists right now? As Pastor John answers, he encourages us to focus mainly on the relational, not the spatial, aspect of heaven.
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Stuff You Should Know

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

    Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

    Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.

    Dateline NBC

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    24/7 News: The Latest

    24/7 News: The Latest

    Today’s Latest News In 4 Minutes. Updated Hourly.

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

Explore

iHeart

Live Radio

Podcasts

Artist Radio

Exclusives

News

Features

Events

Contests

Photos

Information

About

Advertise

Blog

Brand Guidelines

Contest Guidelines

Subscription Offers

Jobs

Get the App

Automotive

Home

Mobile

Wearables

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.