piper_hands.jpgIn no particular order

1. Puts most of his content online for free (http://www.desiringgod.org)

2. Focuses on the all of God’s attributes, not just wrath and not just love

3. Judges people not by where they are but where he sees them going

Unlike so many older men who are threatened by, competitive with, or critical of young men, I have repeatedly seen Dr. Piper have a father’s heart to encourage, exhort, and empower young men. The few times we’ve been able to sit down together have been incredibly transforming. On a few occasions he has been gracious enough to sit down with the young church planters in our Acts 29 Network with no microphones and very honestly answer the painful questions about life, ministry, and family. (Driscoll – source)

4. Not afraid to admit his own struggles and shortcomings (see interview with Mark Driscoll)

5. Not afraid to admit he doesn’t know it all

6. Doesn’t attempt to solve every mystery

You don’t have to understand the fullness of this mystery, you just need to say Biblical truths about it and therefore guard the mystery.  That’s one of the things doctrine does; it protects mysteries.  If you don’t hold doctrine in right biblical proportion, mysteries become stripped to pieces by sectarian explanations, which are almost always wrong.
sermon:We Beheld His Glory, Full of Grace and Truth (11/02/2008)

7. Has at least one son with a sharp wit and a sense of humor

8. Can be dead serious but also has a sense of humor

9. Not afraid to quote Catholic theologians or recommend their books

10. Unlike many (most?) prominent American pastors,  he avoids “culture war” rhetoric

11. Doesn’t own a TV but uses the internet a lot

Do you have any to add?

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Michael Krahn (michael.krahn@gmail.com) is a husband, father, Pastor, writer, and recording artist who enjoys books, theology, technology and the Ottawa Senators.
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