John Piper

B. 1946 · CONTEMPORARY · REFORMED BAPTIST

Longtime pastor of Bethlehem Baptist, Minneapolis, and founder of Desiring God. Reformed soteriology combined with continuationism and historic premillennialism.

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Scripture & Authority1 POSITION

Authority of ScriptureAFFIRMS°STANDARD ACCOUNT

Scripture alone is the final

Sola scriptura and inerrancy.

STANDARD SCHOLARLY ACCOUNT

THEIR TEXTS2 Timothy 3:16-17

Salvation5 POSITIONS

Election & predestinationAFFIRMS°STANDARD ACCOUNT

Unconditional

Unconditional election; five-point Reformed soteriology.

STANDARD SCHOLARLY ACCOUNT

THEIR TEXTSRomans 9:11-16 Ephesians 1:4-5

Original sin & the human willAFFIRMS°STANDARD ACCOUNT

Will in bondage

Total depravity; heavily indebted to Edwards.

STANDARD SCHOLARLY ACCOUNT

THEIR TEXTSEphesians 2:1-3

Extent of the atonementAFFIRMS°STANDARD ACCOUNT

Definite

Definite atonement.

STANDARD SCHOLARLY ACCOUNT

THEIR TEXTSJohn 10:11 Ephesians 5:25

Perseverance & eternal securityAFFIRMS°STANDARD ACCOUNT

Perseverance, framed as living by future grace — the saved will persevere, and faith is the instrument through which they are kept.

STANDARD SCHOLARLY ACCOUNT

THEIR TEXTSPhilippians 1:6 1 Peter 1:5

JustificationAFFIRMS°STANDARD ACCOUNT

Forensic

Forensic imputation, defended at length against revisionist accounts.

STANDARD SCHOLARLY ACCOUNT

THEIR TEXTSRomans 4:5 2 Corinthians 5:21

Church & Sacraments2 POSITIONS

Continuation of spiritual giftsAFFIRMS°STANDARD ACCOUNT

Yes

Continuationist while Reformed — a combination that puts him alongside Howerton against MacArthur on this locus.

STANDARD SCHOLARLY ACCOUNT

THEIR TEXTS1 Corinthians 14:1 1 Corinthians 12:31

BaptismAFFIRMS°STANDARD ACCOUNT

Believers only

Believer's baptism by immersion.

STANDARD SCHOLARLY ACCOUNT

THEIR TEXTSRomans 6:3-4

Last Things2 POSITIONS

The millennium & Christ's returnAFFIRMS°STANDARD ACCOUNT

Premillennial

Historic premillennial, distinct from the dispensational form.

STANDARD SCHOLARLY ACCOUNT

THEIR TEXTSRevelation 20:1-6

The final state of the lostAFFIRMS°STANDARD ACCOUNT

Eternal conscious punishment

Eternal conscious punishment.

STANDARD SCHOLARLY ACCOUNT

THEIR TEXTSMatthew 25:46