John Piper to Take 8-Month Leave

Tuesday, 30 March 2010 11:24 AM EDT Ministry News

QUOTE: "I see several species of pride in my soul that, while they may not rise to the level of disqualifying me for ministry, grieve me, and have taken a toll on my relationship with Noël and others who are dear to me. … Since I don’t have just one deed to point to, I simply ask for a spirit of forgiveness; and I give you as much assurance as I can that I am not making peace, but war, with my own sins." —John Piper, longtime pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, on why he is taking his first leave of absence in 30-plus years of ministry. Piper will refrain from preaching, writing and all public engagements from May 1 through December 31 this year. He will primarily be working on his marriage, although he stated there is not a “whiff of infidelity on either side.” [desiringgod.org, 3/28/10]

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0 #11 Ronald Godwin 2010-03-30 15:25 Quoting Maybe so:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…I cannot honestly understand how this article could generate such hostile comments from Christians. And everything is on display for everyone to read.

My friend you miss the point. You cannot use that and justify them teaching LIES that are ungodly. They are NOT preaching the same Jesus Christ as is in the Bible. They are preaching a FALSE Gospel. Paul warned us, If ANYONE even angels preached another Gospel they would be ACCURSED. Now are you going to tell Paul he is UNLOVING, not full of peace, joy and all that?

The point is, if you go out and preach a false Gospel no matter if you use the name of Christ or not you ARE a false teacher and they ARE false teachers my friend.

You cannot see it because you have not studied their doctrine. SO go study what they truly preach. Quote

+4 #10 Pastor Charley Blom 2010-03-30 14:41 What a great move by Pastor Piper. I think it is sad to say he hasn't taken any time off from ministry for 30 years. that is not good. even Jesus took time away on a regular basis to be with His Father and renew. I know Pastor Piper has had times of prayer, but extended times for family and God's presence is enriching to our ministries. Quote

0 #9 Maybe so 2010-03-30 13:33 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…I cannot honestly understand how this article could generate such hostile comments from Christians. And everything is on display for everyone to read. Quote

+2 #8 Ronald Godwin 2010-03-30 13:04 Do you also believe a man should get on all fours, bark like a dog and have Copeland put his belt around the mans neck and "WALK HIM" or cluck like a chicken? How about "Vomiting your demons up in a bucket" every time you go to church (that is NOT Copelands thing but others in this kind of ministry).'

This is but a drop in the bucket for the heresies they teach and FEW even realize it because they believe every word these people say to be gospel.

The time has come to look at SOUND DOCTRINE and stop listening to these crazy people.

Read "Christianity in Crisis" by Hank Hangraaff 2007 edition www.amazon.com . It WILL explain more then I ever could and it will PROVE to you these men teach nothing but NEW AGE BELIEFS, just as I did when I was in the Occult.

To keep from arguing with you or anyone else. I will refrain from responding further, just be teachable and search the Word of God or you WILL be sucked into these lies and their demonic teachings as I once was. Quote

+1 #7 Ronald Godwin 2010-03-30 13:04 Quoting Doug Hawkinson:

To K Sheppard:

I thought it was Satan who is the accuser of the brethren. Are you telling us that is who you are? Just asking.

Let me ask you this. DO you truly believe Jesus was dragged to Hell and beaten for 3 days? Do you believe Jesus was "Reborn in Hell" and do you believe ALL people who "Accept Jesus into their hearts" become "Like Jesus when He was reborn in Hell, a god/man."

Now if you believe all that, than I can understand your upset-ness with my comment, but if you see this as HOGWASH as it is, than you had better start judging what "Preachers of GOD'S Word" says on their TV shows. Both Hinn and Copeland as well as Fred Price ALL claimed this to be true. Quote

0 #6 Doug Hawkinson 2010-03-30 12:44 To K Sheppard:

I thought it was Satan who is the accuser of the brethren. Are you telling us that is who you are? Just asking. Quote

+5 #5 Doug Hawkinson 2010-03-30 12:38 This is really putting shoe leather to what he has been preaching. Thank you John for your candor and courage. I am sure God will bless you as you continue to seek his glory in all you do. Quote

-15 #4 K Sheppard 2010-03-30 12:36 Really can't believe that there is not a whiff of infidelity!!!! Quote

+3 #3 Ronald Godwin 2010-03-30 12:24 Pastor John Piper, we love you brother and I am very pleased to see you taking this action. ALL of us in ministry CAN at any time fall, and flounder at times, NOT that you have done so sir. But lets face it, the devil is NOT out for those that already serve him but those that are fighting him tooth and nail, as John Piper does constantly.

Praise God my brother, I only wish other pastors, ministers and those in ministry that have come to gain FAT HEADS over who they think they are would do the same. MOST however need to take a leave and never return as they have hurt far more people than they have ever helped with their heresies, like TBN for instance.

God bless our prayers are with you my brother and I look forward to what God is GOING to do for you and your family. Might even get a tremendously helpful book out of all this. I'm in, send one my way for sure. ;)

Ron Godwin
www.rcmintv.us Quote

+8 #2 Cathy L. 2010-03-30 11:53 Good for him! Many wait until there is infidelity or a marriage has deteriorated past the point of one or both parties being interested in preserving their marriage vows. Well known mega church pastors need to look at this man of God's example and put their marriages before their church and ministry! Quote

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