For the two of you who don't know who John Piper is, allow me to introduce him. John Piper is first and foremost a Calvinist. That is his primary identity. After that he's a white, male, evangelical, US American, Christian—in that order. He's written a ton of books, some of which are best sellers. And he pastors a Baptist mega-church in Minneapolis, MN. But he's best known for hunting down "heretics" like Greg Boyd and N. T. Wright and setting them straight in his books. You know, the way the Calvinist Bible prescribes.

"If your brother or sister disagrees with you on a matter of doctrine, write a book about him or her exposing their error though caricatures and poor arguments. And make a lot of money doing it."

- The Gospel of Piper chapter 1, verse 1

Piper is a highly influential figure. Millions of Christians in the US look to his leadership and believe his interpretations of natural disasters. If he says that a tornado knocking over a steeple is an sign that God is angry about homosexuality, millions of US American Christians take that straight to the bank. He leads large international organizations like the Gospel Coalition (I refuse to link), which show us just how wrong we've been on what the Gospel is. Didn't you know Calvinism is the Gospel? Now you know.

Piper on Race

Recently, John Piper has decided he need a new boogieman. In his estimation, he's already defeated Open theism, he's defeated N. T. Wright, and he's defeated Arminianism. What's next for old Pipe dogg you ask? Racial diversity. Apparently the last enemy to the Gospel which must be destroyed by Piper's heresy-seeking Calvinist missiles is the desire to see more than just white people in your church. This, Piper contends, seeks to destroy the church. So, of course, the only right thing to do is write a book about it. (That's what Jesus would do, right?)

That is why Christianity Today feature this 6-Page article by Piper promoting his new book.

But before you mistakenly think these are rantings of a senile, racist old man, Piper wants to assure us all that he's no longer a racist. Sure, he used to be a racist. (Weren't we all?) But since those days, he's moved into the inner-city and adopted a black child. Racist people don't do those things, right?!

Now, he doesn't want you to think he's one of those types of pastors. You know, the type that move into the city so that they can get to know their neighbors. Please do not mistake him for the kind of pastor who lives close to his church so that the church will reflect the community in which it is found. No, he puts our minds at ease by assuring us God has called him to more important things like traveling and writing books. He makes sure we know his church is not racially diverse. Thank God!!

"Because of the way I believe God calls me to use my time, I don't have significant relationships with most of my neighbors. Nor does our church reflect the diversity of this neighborhood." - John Piper

Ultimately, what Piper wants to convey to his readers is this: You have to make a decision. Which are you going to choose:

A) The Gospel of Jesus Christ, theological orthodoxy, Biblical truth, and the Kingdom of God

or

B) Racial diversity

"For what does it profit a man if he gains complete diversity and loses his own soul?" - John Piper

Certainly you are no fool. You would never throw Jesus under the bus for racial diversity. In fact, you wouldn't even sit next to Jesus on the bus—he is a Jew after all. No, you're not going to fall into the trap Piper warns us about. You won't love your neighbor who is of a different race than you, or worship with her. Because that would require you to sacrifice the Gospel.

[scratches head]

…or does it?

The Bible on Race

John Piper loves Paul. If John Piper were a homosexual person, and Paul were still alive, he would ask Paul out on a date (even though he's already married). That's how much he loves Paul. It's really a bad bromance!

So what does Paul think about race?? Let's ask him!

"Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."

- Ephesians 2.11-22

Hmmmm

So Paul says both Gentiles (all non-Hebrew peoples) and Jews were reconciled by the atonement of Jesus. Paul says that the dividing barrier between the these two racial groups has been destroyed by Christ's work on the cross. Paul says that they have become one body reconciled to God, at peace with God and one another. And Paul says that God is joining them together so they can be built up into the spiritual dwelling of God.

Ya, Piper is right. Racial diversity has nothing to do with the Gospel.

In fact, we know heaven won't be racially diverse! So why would the church reflect that diversity now?

"After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands."

- Revelation 7.9