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.
John Piper on Holiness
In this episode, Jon and Justin discuss a message recently given by John Piper on Christ's death and the holiness of the believer. The guys interact with clips from the message and seek to consider it from a biblical, confessional, and Reformed perspective. At Theocast, we are in complete agreement that Christ's work has secured the holiness of the saints. Significant things to consider along these lines are: union with Christ; the active obedience of Christ; the relationship of justification and sanctification; and the proper way to preach the law and the gospel.
Do John Piper and Doug Wilson Obscure Faith Alone?
Every generation has to come to grips with the gospel. The imputation of the righteousness of Christ to sinners--as our whole and only righteousness--has often been under assault in the history of the church. It is in our day in the form of the Federal Vision and the teaching of final justification. Jon and Justin engage with both of these errors today in an effort to clarify and defend the heart of the gospel, which is the righteousness of Christ counted to sinners.
More Than a Feeling?
In this episode, the guys talk about feelings. Yes, that's right. At a prominent evangelical conference, John Piper said that it is futile to try to define saving faith apart from feelings (link). We consider whether that is correct and the fallout of that perspective as it relates to assurance.
Live Q&A on Final Justification & Mark Jones
In our second ever live event, Jon and Justin talk primarily about sola fide--some of the old and new confusion around it. How do good works factor into our final salvation? We begin to discuss an article written recently by Mark Jones in which he argues that we have the right to eternal life by faith alone but we will finally possess eternal life through good works.
Dazed and Confused: Hebrews 12:1-14 and Holiness
In this episode, Jon and Justin talk about a verse of Scripture that has produced much angst and confusion: Hebrews 12:14. In that verse, we read that there is a holiness without which no one will see the Lord. How should we understand this passage?