I'm sort of glad I don't know John Piper intimately, or even personally. That would put such pressure on my frail-because-schizophrenic self that its duality would too easily be seen. Why? I love John Piper & I hate John Piper.
The reasons I love John Piper are too numerous to mention, but the most outstanding two are: 1) his profound insights into Scripture; and 2) his passion. He never fails to stir me or challenge me, whether I read him or listen to him!
But then why do I hate him? I hate him because he always exposes me! I am a prideful, selfish, worldly man who fears close inspection. I can't jump the high bar he sets. I don't like what I see in me when he writes or speaks. Everything ungodly in me joins in outcry against him. The picture he paints of the Christian embarrasses me, and makes me feel so small and failing. I suspect that these same feelings keep some away from him, some jealous of him, and many downright critical of him.
My struggles with Piper are natural extensions of two things: 1) I am a renewed creature in Christ, whose flesh deceives me too often; and 2) I live in the natural tension brought on by this time of the overlap of the ages, when we must walk by faith and not sight.
He also reminds me how blest I will be to be glorified by the Beatific Vision that will destroy my flesh, perfect my life, and render me capable of completely enjoying the Inapproachable Light for all eternity.
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