Ask Pastor John

There is a mean streak in Christianity, and it is not against anybody else but ourselves and our sinfulness.

Men like John and Charles Wesley, G.K. Chesterton, George MacDonald, and, in a sense, C.S. Lewis have been the most influential Arminians in Pastor John's life.

Christian fellowship does not distract from the supreme glory of God in the believer’s life, it testifies to it.

An addiction to video games says something about a man’s subjection to Christ, state of mind, self-control, and fitness to lead a family.

For fathers of new sons, Pastor John summarizes his encouragement: Be a weeping, happy, loving father full of God, full of truth, full of joy.

If you want your kids, spouse, parents, coworkers, and friends to know God — if you want to know God — rehearse Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3.

When we enjoy what God has created, we know and enjoy God more. And when what has been created fails us, our Creator never will.

We are satisfied in God rather than by God if God is the object of our satisfaction, not simply the provider of it.

The prosperity gospel falls short on two counts: It presents a weak God, and it neglects to reckon with the Bible’s teaching on suffering.

For the Christian, knowing God’s word and world increases our sorrow — and our joy.

Sorrow and suffering make up daily life across the world. So what does it look like for Christians to be both happy and sorrowful?

How should believers behave toward family members who walk in unrepentant sin but continue to call themselves Christians?

Even if deliverance does not come right away, our prayers are not in vain. If you are stuck in sin, this prayer is for you.

Memorizing Scripture offers Christians at least eight benefits, including fostering fellowship with Jesus and combating Satan’s lies.

Sexual attraction is not essential for marriage, but God does call for marital intimacy — both physical and emotional.

The Bible doesn’t detail the cultural symbols for a marriage ceremony. Does this mean a wedding doesn’t need to happen in a church?

Viewing horrific images may prepare Christians distant from horrors in the world to embrace the sovereignty of God over what is to come.

What should our response be to Mark Driscoll’s failures? Pastor John unpacks some lessons from his partnership with the former Seattle pastor.

Know the glories and beauties of Christ who reigns supreme over kings and tyrants, over mountains and hurricanes, over time and death.

Family worship often includes prayer and reading scripture. But it can also include singing and memorization as you leave a legacy of worship.

If no one can say that Jesus is Lord except in the Holy Spirit, then why are there people who say, “Lord, Lord,” whom Christ denies ever knowing?

When the Israelites entered the Promised Land, they slaughtered at God’s command. How can Christians claim the moral high ground over modern genocides?

It’s a weighty thing to be a pastor. Shepherds bear greater responsibility. How do we discern when they are abusing their position?

When the fresh water from Jesus’s well quenches your thirsty soul, the tepid drink of praise from other people loses its allure.

What does Paul mean when he commands us to be “rooted and built up” in Christ? How does he tell us to get there?

If you are new to the Bible, the life and ministry of Jesus recorded in the gospels will illuminate the rest of the Bible. Let the adventure begin!

If Jesus says, “Whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you,” how can James say that sometimes God withholds our requests?

When we pray to God as our Father, we remember he is more than a boss. He is the lover of our still sinful souls, working in us to seek after him.

Our requests, our laments, and even our complaints in prayer have worth in the hands of the God who works sovereignly through them.

Tim Keller offers help for distracted believers who struggle to focus their minds and warm their hearts when they pray.

The Psalms can give us spiritual breath that we didn’t even know we needed. Tim Keller offers practical help to pray the Psalms.

For some, reading feels like a chore instead of a joy. Audio Bibles open the door to God’s word, even for those who don’t read.

World missions is the great work of the church, and David Platt exudes a passion to reach the unreached peoples with a massive God behind him.

Fight lust with a stronger weapon than guilt, shame, and fear. Fight lust by feeding faith with the knowledge of an irresistibly glorious God.

God doesn’t need anything from anyone, so when we obey God, do we obey him for his sake or for our own happiness?

Paul said that it is better to marry than to burn with passion. What does that mean for the person struggling with homosexual desire?

The message of Ecclesiastes: Life — and money and possessions — is empty and futile without God.

More than any other kind of person, Christians are able to delight in creation because they are not bound to worship it.

Pastor John points to the purpose of prayer — that God would look great in the world and in the lives of his people.

Predestination to hell is a heavy reality. But what is mysterious to us now will be revealed in the end. And we will see that it is right.

Even those who claim Christ can show themselves not to share in him if they refuse to repent of their sin.

The joys of pastoring may ebb and flow, but Pastor John offers ten hope-filled counsels to help pastors press on when ministry proves difficult.

Jesus is coming back. Pastor John shares what Christians should do while they wait for his return.

Pray because God tells us to. Pray because it increases our joy. Pray because the sovereign ruler of the universe makes things happen through prayer.

Sex is kept within a covenant between a man and a woman because it points to a greater covenant between humans and God.

Paul gives believers great freedom to eat the food offered to them. But do we have the freedom to eat halal meat?

Does spanking amount to abuse, or does it have a place in parenting? Ted Tripp counsels parents on when physical discipline is appropriate.

Ted Tripp offers his perspective on why parents should spank their kids and points out some of the advantages over other forms of discipline.

How can parents teach their kids to recognize idolatry in their own hearts? Ted Tripp offers some practical advice.

Pornography saps spiritual life and compromises spiritual leadership — Ted Tripp warns against one of the greatest dangers facing families today.