Ask Pastor John

When we reject God, we suppress the truth. But we can never escape all that is true, good, and beautiful in our Father’s world.

God has known himself perfectly for all eternity, and now he knows every aspect of his world perfectly. So as we come to learn and discover, we are simply thinking God’s thoughts after him.

The Bible seems to say that God does not take pleasure in death, and yet that he takes delight in executing his wrath. Is this a contradiction, or can they both be true?

Nothing exists that does not relate directly to God. In other words, everything about God is also about everything in this world.

Do not underestimate the power of preaching to your soul and singing to God when you can’t shake spiritual darkness.

How does socialism borrow from the Bible? And how does socialism differ from biblical principles on compassion and justice?

As peoples spread and migrate across the globe, Christianity ebbs and flows. But there is no reason to believe that God won’t use the movement of peoples to advance the gospel.

Christ frees every believer from being overly concerned with what others think. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t care at all.

Good books have so much to offer for the Christian life. Pastor John describes seven ways books have shaped him personally.

We all need money and we all use money. But when we begin to seek happiness in money, we are taking steps toward destruction.

Jesus commands us to love others as we love ourselves. Does that mean he wants us to have high self-esteem?

How can a student face persecution from their peers at school? What promises can they hold on to when all seems to be shaking?

Spurgeon seemed to say that Arminians preach an insufficient gospel. But can our theological commitments really ruin our gospel presentation to the point that it’s completely defective?

God will receive glory from every part of his creation, even from those who rebel against him. But he receives most glory from the believer when our hearts find our fullest satisfaction in him.

Consistent spiritual discipline is Christian living and is not legalistic.

Some texts in the Bible, like 1 John 5:18, may seem difficult to understand at first. But with a little digging, nuggets of gold are sure to surface.

If Christ already bore the wrath of God on the cross, then is hell just redundant? Does hell take away from the glory of what Christ accomplished?

Before correcting a brother or sister in Christ, how certain must we be that our own outlook is free from sin and deceit?

How we talk about God’s absolute sovereignty, right down to our word choice, makes a big difference in how people receive this precious truth.

The accommodations of our modern world aren’t all inherently sinful. But unless they serve our faithfulness to Jesus, what good are they?

First Thessalonians 4:11 says that we should “live a quiet life.” Do Jesus’s and Paul’s lives measure up to that instruction?

Many Christians say, “God will never give us more than we can handle.” But the truth of that statement depends on two key words.

God desires that we have both peace and joy as we walk with him. How to joy and peace relate, and how do they differ?

When we learn that our time on this earth is short, what truths can help us live out our last days with joy?

The Bible speaks to our toughest moments.

Do what you have to do to be radically devoted to Jesus and his holiness.

The doctrines of grace invite us to discover the endless fountain of all joy. Let The Joy Project guide you on a journey to uncover those riches of happiness.

The prosperity gospel may be easy to critique from a distance, but what about when it comes home? How can you talk to close friends and loved ones who have accepted the so-called prosperity “gospel”?

What if zombie stories and movies weren’t just mindless horror but could actually teach us about the true nature of our world?

If my work can be corrupted by others for evil purposes, does that cancel out any good that I achieve?

We love to enjoy the benefits of the gospel, but the gospel is actually not an end in itself. So what is the ultimate goal of the gospel?

Our tax dollars inevitably end up at places like Planned Parenthood — an organization that takes innocent life. Is it wrong to continue contributing taxes to a government that underwrites sin?

Some argue, “If aborted babies go to heaven, why is abortion such a big deal?” Pastor John gives six reasons why Christians must never compromise.

In August 2015, Kim Davis, a county clerk in Kentucky, refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Was she right to do so?

As you swim in the culture, be a dolphin that cuts through the currents, not a jellyfish that goes with the flow.

When everything in life is going well, should we be worried because we are not experiencing the suffering Scripture promises?

The love of God in the Bible can sometimes be difficult to understand, like when Jesus lets Lazarus die because he loves him. What is love in a passage like that?

If you are in a discouraging marriage, don’t focus on whether your marriage is pleasing to the Lord. Focus on whether you are.

When thinking about energy drinks, we need to ask if the stimulant is masking a deeper problem, becoming a new master in our lives, or harming other people.

New passions, new affections, produce new conduct. I am a Christian Hedonist for theological reasons. I am after people’s affections because all of our behaviors come from this.

In a fallen world, we will never rid ourselves completely from the threat of and allure of idols. But the gospel has the power to free us to live from security and stability.

Social media allows us to connect with high numbers of people, but often those relationships remain thin. For security in our identity, we need depth, not just breadth.

How do I know if my smartphone plays too prominent a role in my life? Dr. Richard Lints offers pointed questions to help you diagnose your screen time habits.

We all desire control. But when we realize that we are far from having any real control over our lives, we look for something we can easily manipulate — like a smartphone.

In an individualistic era, we like to think that we can just be who we are. But in fact, we are only who we are in relation to others — and most especially in relationship to God himself.

When addressing contentious cultural issues like homosexuality, Christians should never merely voice our opinions. We are stewards of God’s very grace and truth.

Outcries over social ills say something about God, but so does silence. So when should we vent over social sins?

God’s words lead us to the path of life. They help us see that God is sovereign, a shelter for the needy, and a treasure to those who love him.

Our smartphone will not destroy us. But our love for it can. Ask the Lord to make it plain when the time has come to get rid of your smartphone.

The love and forgiveness every believer experiences from God came at the highest price of God’s own Son. How could we ever hold back that grace and mercy from others?