OpenTheo

John Piper Talks Books

January 6, 2021
Life and Books and Everything
Life and Books and EverythingClearly Reformed

John Piper sits down with Kevin DeYoung to discuss human purpose, pastoral leadership, the advantages of reading slowly. And of course they discuss books, too. So many books. Reading them; writing them; loving them; but most of all desiring God through them. (See the full list below.) And in this conversation you will get a picture of what will perhaps be John Piper’s magnum opus.  

Life and Books and Everything is sponsored by Crossway, publisher of New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional, by Paul David Tripp.

New Morning Mercies is great for people looking for a devotional in the new year—featuring 365 gospel-centered devotions. Each reading leads with a compelling, gospel-centered thought, followed by an extended meditation for the day. It equips you with the good news that you need to trust in God’s goodness, rely on his grace, and live for his glory—day in and day out. 

For 30% off this book and all other books and Bibles at Crossway, sign up for a free Crossway+ account at crossway.org/LBE

Timestamps: 

An Excellent Book for 2021 [1:11 – 2:37] 

What did John Piper do for Christmas during coronavirus? [2:37 – 4:58] 

Why Piper doesn’t like the word ‘retirement’ [4:58 – 12:45] 

Especially Formative Books for John Piper [12:45 – 19:57] 

On the Pros and Cons of Reading Slowly [19:57 – 34:48] 

Books to Kickstart Pastoral Ministry [34:48 – 43:54] 

Favorite Biographies [43:54 – 46:32] 

Books to Return To [46:32 – 51:59] 

The Hardest Book John Piper Had to Write and His Favorite [51:59 – 57:38] 

Providence: John Piper’s Latest Book [57:38 – 1:03:15] 

Enjoying the Process of Writing; Praise for Pastors Who Don’t Write Books[1:03:15 – 1:09:33] 

More Questions on Providence and Providence [1:09:33 – 1:20:40] 

The Most Important Verse in the Bible [1:20:40 – 1:25:08] 

Books and More Books: 

New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional, by Paul David Tripp (get 30% off) 

Thinking God’s Thoughts: The Hermeneutics of Humility, by Daniel P. Fuller 

The Unity of the Bible: Unfolding God's Plan for Humanity, by Daniel P.Fuller 

Freedom of the Will, by Jonathan Edwards 

The End for Which God Created the World, by Jonathan Edwards 

The Religious Affections, by Jonathan Edwards 

Share

FacebookTwitterRedditCopy Link

Transcript

More on OpenTheo

What About Those Who Never Heard the Name of Jesus?
What About Those Who Never Heard the Name of Jesus?
#STRask
December 22, 2025
Questions about what will happen to those who never heard of Jesus or were brought up in a different faith, whether there’s biblical warrant to think
How Does It Affect You If a Gay Couple Gets Married or a Woman Has an Abortion?
How Does It Affect You If a Gay Couple Gets Married or a Woman Has an Abortion?
#STRask
October 16, 2025
Questions about how to respond to someone who asks, ”How does it affect you if a gay couple gets married, or a woman makes a decision about her reprod
John Thomson and the Shaping of American Presbyterianism with Stephen A. Fix
John Thomson and the Shaping of American Presbyterianism with Stephen A. Fix
Life and Books and Everything
September 29, 2025
If you are looking for a deep dive into the history of early American Presbyterianism, you have come to the right place! Listen in as Kevin talks with
The Historical Perspective vs. The Theological Perspective on the Resurrection: Are Both Valid?
The Historical Perspective vs. The Theological Perspective on the Resurrection: Are Both Valid?
Risen Jesus
October 1, 2025
This episode is a discussion between Dr. Mike Licona and then PhD candidate Laura Robinson on the Capturing Christianity podcast. While both scholars
Corey Miller: The Progressive Miseducation of America
Corey Miller: The Progressive Miseducation of America
Knight & Rose Show
September 27, 2025
Wintery Knight and Desert Rose welcome Dr. Corey Miller to discuss The Progressive Miseducation of America. They examine how universities promote scie
Should I Pray for Protection for Persecuted Christians When God Might Want Them to Be Martyrs?
Should I Pray for Protection for Persecuted Christians When God Might Want Them to Be Martyrs?
#STRask
September 4, 2025
Questions about how to pray for persecuted Christians in light of the fact that God wills that some will be martyrs, and how persecuted Christians who
If We Don’t Need to Learn to Hear God’s Voice, How Do You Explain These Verses?
If We Don’t Need to Learn to Hear God’s Voice, How Do You Explain These Verses?
#STRask
September 11, 2025
Questions about why, if we don’t need to learn to hear God’s voice, there’s a command to earnestly desire the gift of prophecy, why we would need to l
The Heidelberg Catechism with R. Scott Clark
The Heidelberg Catechism with R. Scott Clark
Life and Books and Everything
November 3, 2025
You may not think you need 1,000 pages on the Heidelberg Catechism, but you do! R. Scott Clark, professor at Westminster Seminary California, has writ
Could the Writers of Scripture Have Been Influenced by Their Fallen Nature?
Could the Writers of Scripture Have Been Influenced by Their Fallen Nature?
#STRask
October 23, 2025
Questions about whether or not it’s reasonable to worry that some of our current doctrines were influenced by the fallen nature of the apostles, and h
Life and Ministry in Charlotte and in the SBC with Clint Pressley
Life and Ministry in Charlotte and in the SBC with Clint Pressley
Life and Books and Everything
December 15, 2025
In a rare cultural anomaly that may never be repeated in our lifetimes, the current SBC President and current PCA Moderator live in the same neighborh
Conservatism and Religious Freedom with John Wilsey
Conservatism and Religious Freedom with John Wilsey
Life and Books and Everything
October 27, 2025
What is conservatism? And why does it go hand in hand with religious freedom? How should we think about the American experiment of ordered liberty? Ha
The Historical Reliability of the Gospels: Licona vs. Ehrman - Part 2
The Historical Reliability of the Gospels: Licona vs. Ehrman - Part 2
Risen Jesus
September 10, 2025
In this episode, frequent debate opponents Dr. Michael Licona and Dr. Bart Ehrman face off on the historical reliability of the gospels. Held in 2018
How Would You Convince Someone That Evil Exists?
How Would You Convince Someone That Evil Exists?
#STRask
November 17, 2025
Questions about how to convince someone that evil exists, whether Charlie Kirk’s murder was part of God’s plan, whether that would mean the murderer d
Can You Provide Verifiable, Non-Religious Evidence That a Supernatural Jesus Existed?
Can You Provide Verifiable, Non-Religious Evidence That a Supernatural Jesus Existed?
#STRask
November 10, 2025
Question about providing verifiable, non-religious evidence that a supernatural Jesus existed.   * I am an atheist and militantly anti-god-belief. Ho
Why Do We Say Someone Was Saved on a Particular Date If It Was Part of an Eternal Plan?
Why Do We Say Someone Was Saved on a Particular Date If It Was Part of an Eternal Plan?
#STRask
November 24, 2025
Questions about why we say someone was saved on a particular date if it was part of an eternal plan, the Roman Catholic view of the gospel vs. the Bib