Strange Fire: John Piper Gets a Free Pass but Not From Me

                          

While the exposing of the Charismatic Movement (and Charismatic Calvinists) was correct and pretty powerful, I must admit after yesterday's Q&A and the last session at the Strange Fire Conference, I'm left with the same concerns.

John MacArthur and Phil Johnson  have been blinded by affection for Charismatic Calvinist John Piper to the the point that they are unwilling to give him up (unless he repents). Sadly, MacArthur has tunnel vision when it comes to his friend Piper, saying that  Piper's embrace of the Charismatic movement is merely an "anomaly" and therefore he doesn't deserve to be rejected. However, in my view, Piper's issues are far greater than just his charismaticism. Far greater. I know both Johnson and MacArthur are very aware of Piper's promotion of heretic Rick Warren. Certainly that in itself should be enough to sever ties with Piper based on one of the clearest declarations in the New Testament: 2 John 9-11. Its only complicated or confusing if you don't believe and obey this passage.

Both MacArthur and Johnson painted a picture of Piper that is not consistent with Piper's fruit; they love him and called him a faithful man of God and teacher who has benefited many people including themselves.

Scripture states how important it is to test the fruit and walk of such teachers:

Mat 7:15  "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16  You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 

1Jn 1:6  If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 

Scripture says Piper is not only unfaithful, but is committing spiritual adultery because he promotes false teachers like Rick Warren, Mark Driscoll, and Doug Wilson, along with worldly systems like Roman Catholicism and mysticism, for example.

2Jn 1:9  Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. 10  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; 11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.

Jas 4:4  You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5  Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: "He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us"? 6  But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." 

Here is the fruit and walk of John Piper: does it line up with fruit of those who are walking in the light; of those who are faithful teachers of Scripture?

Piper married "hedonism" with Christ in his first book "Desiring God".

Piper says you can be saved while denying the doctrine Imputation; that a partial or defective gospel still saves.

Piper quotes liberals like Bonhoeffer, Dallas Willard, Chesterton, Foster, and St. John of the Cross, in favorable ways.

Piper promotes Contemplative spirituality.

Piper affirms the position/office of the pope.

Piper promotes Doug Wilson and Federal Vision

Piper claims "Allah" (the Islam god) AND "Adonai" are "ONLY known and loved through Christ.

Piper promotes and mentors X-rated, Sexually obsessed, Foul-mouthed Mark Driscoll

Piper promotes Rick Warren.

Piper promotes Tim Keller.

Piper promotes Beth Moore.

Piper rejects the Genesis account of a literal 6 day Creation week
Piper promotes women teachers who teach men (and he also learns from those women teachers).

(For the documentation of this list along with Scripture to show the error go here.)

How is any of this even remotely faithful to Christ Jesus, His Word, and His sheep? Where is the discernment of an elderly, "mature", pastor of thirty-plus years and author of dozens of books, who got degrees from various seminaries? 

How can MacArthur call this "good" fruit and something that has "greatly benefited" anyone?

The only way people like John MacArthur and Phil Johnson won't see the need to reject Piper is if they don't believe this:

2Jn 1:10  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; 11  for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds. 

My question is this:

How else do false teachers creep in unnoticed bringing with them their heresies to deceive the sheep, if not through the "shepherds" holding the door open for them and allowing them in?

2Pe 2:1  But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2  And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3  And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. 

Jud 1:4  For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. 

Mat 7:21  "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22  On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' 23  And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' 

So for now Piper's got a LOT of cover and a LOT more time to do more damage.

Many folks at the conference were amazed at how anti-biblical and pagan the Charismatic/WOF is and how Grudem and Piper are affirming that mess. Sadly though, MacArthur and Johnson say the movement is wrong, but yet  embrace those who affirm it like Piper and Grudem. 

But that's just what Piper's doing himself. 

Calling out Piper and Grudem and Storms regarding their continationism wasn't dividing from the Charismatic movement at all, really, because they are still embracing those who in fact DO affirm the Charismatic movement.

Indeed, they are doing the very thing they are calling Piper out on.

Such a disappointment.

And they are in sin for doing so.