"Why do people choose the substitute over God himself? Probably the most important reason is that it obviates accountability to God. We can meet idols on our own terms because they are our own creations. They are safe, predictable, and controllable; they are, in Jeremiah's colorful language, the 'scarecrows in a cornfield' (10:5). They are portable and completely under the user's control. They offer nothing like the threat of a God who thunders from Sinai and whose providence in this world so often appears to us to be incomprehensible and dangerous . . . [People] need face only themselves. That is the appeal of idolatry."
- David F. Wells
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Who's the greatest living Christian preacher or teacher?
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Comments on "The Greatest?":
3. Doug
- 09/21/2010 10:27 pm CDT
Can't really argue with votes for Piper, but the guy I listen to the most is Matt Chandler. All the relevantiness you could want, but doggedly Jesus-centered. He continually makes my view of Jesus expand in really challenging and grace-drenched ways.
Joel Osteen's a close second, though.
4. Manders
- 09/21/2010 10:59 pm CDT
One more vote for Piper, but I also want to pitch in one for Tim Keller.
5. Alex Costa
- 09/21/2010 11:39 pm CDT
Yeah, probably some guy in China.
My second vote is for my pastor.
6. Dave
- 09/22/2010 12:05 am CDT
Until he passes away, it's Billy Graham. In my opinion, it's still way too early to assess Piper and a lot of these other guys because they're still young. They have a lot of time left to mess everything up. I hope they don't, but it happens.
9. Mike Leake
- 09/22/2010 7:46 am CDT
Dave,
Piper would certainly agree with you that he has time left to mess everything up...but he would also be flattered that you said "they're still young". I'm not sure it's too early to assess Piper--I mean he's been at this for around 30 years.
I'd like to throw Mark Dever's name out there. The teaching/preaching work he has done at Capitol Hill is having ripple effects all throughout the SBC.
But at the end of the day I think I would agree with Jared and say Piper. He is like the Whitefield, Edwards and Dever is like the John Newton.
10. Brandi
- 09/22/2010 7:56 am CDT
Jimmy Seibert of ACC Waco, (not just because he's my pastor), Nancy Leigh Demoss of Revive Our Hearts, (not of "all time" but for me personally), John Piper.
PS. One thing that strikes me about Jimmy Seibert...his family. He does not neglect them for ministry obligations. And his wife and children really are amazing...you can see the investment he has put in their lives.
Sorry I didn't just say one. :-)
11. Quaid
- 09/22/2010 8:39 am CDT
Not to toe the line or anything, but . . .
Chuck Swindoll and Tony Evans I like a lot.
I like Piper and Keller for their ability to take complex theology and make it palatable for the masses. Chandler and Driscoll I like for their forthrightness (not to say that Piper or Keller aren't forthright or that Chandler and Driscoll lack theology). Swindoll and Evans, however, I like for combining the best of the two of these worlds into one.
12. Raindream
- 09/22/2010 8:53 am CDT
The first shall be last and stuff.
I keep wondering if R.C. Sproul or John MacArthur or Howard Hendricks should make the cut. You know, a top five would help. Picking one above all others is hard. Piper, Keller--Frederick Buechner will up there too. J.I. Packard may be in the top ten.
13. Raindream
- 09/22/2010 8:54 am CDT
Oh, yes. Chuck Swindoll and Warren Wiersbe would be high of the list too.
15. Maunderings
- 09/22/2010 10:25 am CDT
Other than our Pastor , my suggestion is Alistair Begg. His fervor for preaching the Gospel is clear in every message.
16. nhe
- 09/22/2010 3:17 pm CDT
Osteen was a joke.........right????
If the question is "preacher" I have to go with Keller - simply the most Christo-centric (consistently) of all-time.
l. Keller (#1 for content and overall)
2. Piper (#1 for passion and walking the talk)
3. Andy Stanley (#1 for clarity - no one communicates more clearly)
4. Howard Hendricks (more of a professor than a preacher, but #1 for passion for teaching)
5. Jared Wilson (I've only heard snippets but I just want to be able to say I had him on my list first)
....# Gazillion - Osteen
17. Andrew
- 09/23/2010 9:20 am CDT
Piper has been a massive influence on so many, but of the recent crop of young evangelicals, I really think that Matt Chandler will end up being one of the most influential his generation.
Also, God bless him, Rich Mullins.
20. Riley
- 09/26/2010 12:16 am CDT
Although I am a bit of a Piperite (so I'm biased), I'd have to say Piper on this one... mainly for establishing clarity for what scripture says about the purpose of man and how that relates to the Christian life. Honestly his clarity (Christian Hedonism) has blessed my walk greatly, both my heart and my mind. In my mind it has assured and in my heart it has convicted.
Leave a Comment:
It's probably no surprise I throw this name out there, but: John Piper
I think in 100 years people will be reading (and listening to) him much the same we read Edwards or Spurgeon.
(Actually, the greatest living Christian preacher is likely someone we've never heard of. But of the names we all may recognize, I nominate Piper.)