Recently, a video clip from the Coram Deo Conference began circulating online, featuring John Piper making comments about falling away from the living God—and how that warning needs to be preached. The message that one can fall away must be clearly communicated, with no punches pulled. Theocast was brought into the online conversation surrounding this video, and we've received a number of questions about our thoughts on what Piper said. Today, we aim to charitably engage with John’s comments and express our concerns about his message. We hope this conversation brings clarity and answers some of your questions. Ultimately, as always, our desire is to point you to Jesus Christ and to help you see from the Scriptures that He truly is enough to save you—and that you don’t need to be afraid.
What Does It Mean to Confirm Our Election?
At Theocast, we get this question a lot: What about 2 Peter when it says that we should be confirming our calling and election by our obedience? Isn't that really a way for us to examine ourselves and find our assurance, saying, "Look, my obedience aligns with my confession?" Yes and no. That passage has probably hurt more people than it has helped. But Peter wrote it to help them—he actually wrote it to encourage them. So if you read 2 Peter 1:10 and feel discouraged, you should keep listening. That is not what was intended.
Gutting the Scripture of Its Power
Many Christians today feel absolutely drained and powerless. They have tried every solution under the sun to overcome their sin, grow in Christ, and mature in their faith, striving for sanctification. Yet, they feel defeated and often question, “Am I even God's? Do I truly belong to Him?” It seems as though the power of Christianity has disappeared. How did that happen? That’s exactly what Justin and Jon want to discuss today. How did the power of the gospel become gutted from the Bible?
How Do We Know God Is Pleased With Us?
Many Christians often struggle with a significant question: How does God truly feel about me? We are aware of the sins we try to hide and the personal struggles we face. God knows all our weaknesses and failures, and deep down, we question whether He is angry or disappointed with us. We may wonder if He will discipline us or pursue us in judgment because we continue to fail. How can God keep loving someone who repeatedly falls short? This is an essential question, and today, Justin and Jon want to address it. Understanding God's attitude toward you is transformative, as it shapes your experience in this world and your journey in the Christian faith. We want to reassure and remind you that God's disposition toward you is not dependent on your performance. Join us as we explore how the gospel frees you from the burden and shame that often weigh heavily on our hearts.
Assurance of Salvation? (w/ Room for Nuance)
Jon and Justin were recently invited onto the Room for Nuance podcast with Sean DeMars to discuss various topics surrounding assurance of salvation, law-gospel distinction, and the relationship between faith and works. We hope you find this conversation informative and encouraging!
Have We Missed the Point of 1 John? (Part 2)
In today's episode, the second of two episodes on 1 John, the guys consider some specific passages from the letter that are often used to unsettle Christians and cause them to question their standing in Christ. 1 John 2:3 and surrounding, as well as 1 John 3:4-10, are discussed. How should we understand John's words on keeping the commandments and making a practice of sinning? Should these verses produce fear and doubt?
Have We Missed the Point of 1 John? (Part 1)
At Theocast, we get as many questions about 1 John as we do any book in the Bible. It is often a book that has been used to cause Christians to question whether they are really legitimate. But is that the reason John wrote the letter? In today's episode, the first of two episodes on 1 John, Jon and Justin give an overview of the letter and discuss the purpose for which the apostle wrote it.
Mercy for Those Who Doubt
In today's episode, Jon and Justin consider two kinds of people: the people who are arrogant in their sin and do not think they need mercy; and the people who doubt and struggle wondering if there is in fact mercy for them. The guys talk about the law and the gospel, church discipline, and the posture of God toward the weak.
Is My Faith Legit?
Is your faith genuine? We all struggle. We all wrestle. We all doubt. That's part of what it means to be fallen, but this produces real questions: Is the message regarding faith in Christ legitimate? If so, what is saving faith? How should we define it? And what about that bit about the demons believing? Jon and Justin seek to answer these questions from the Scripture and from the confessions.
Depart from Me (Dazed and Confused: Matthew 7)
"I never knew you; depart from me," are words in Matthew 7 many of us fear we will hear from Jesus. Should we live in fear that we will finally be rejected by Christ for not doing enough? Was that his intention? Or did he mean something else?
The Birthplace of Bad Theology
Where does all bad theology come from? From our perspective, it comes from a loss of the church's one foundation--that is, Jesus Christ and his work counted to us by faith alone.
Self-Examination?
Should you regularly be questioning your salvation? What about self-examination? When and how should you do that? The guys answer these questions and consider several passages of Scripture that speak to these issues.