Why I Like John Piper...and Keith Ferguson

Somewhere over a decade ago, someone whispered in my ear - "You should check out John Piper." OK, maybe they didn't whisper in my ear, but somehow it only sunk in subconsciously. It took awhile longer for me to follow this advice. My first hearing or two (this was by way of Podcasts), I wasn't all that taken. Piper's speaking style, emphatic emphasis, and cadence didn't sync with my preferences (think R.C. Sproul's almost pure didactic style and you'll get the gist of my personality type). Thankfully, I didn't dismiss him after such a short time.

It wasn't long before I not only began to tolerate this Reformed Baptist preacher from Minneapolis, but I began to like him. A whole lot*. I began hearing past the personality that was quite different than mine, as well as the stylistic conventions he used, and I began hearing something I realized I really needed to hear. What I needed to hear was the powerful combination of intellectual prowess and integrity, along with a heart-felt passion for God himself and His glory.

I learned that John was a very careful thinker - he didn't just give the standard Evangelical (or, indeed, even Reformed) answers just because he was socialized to do so. He was, and is, willing to go against the grain when he believed that he had scriptural or logical reasons to do so. At the same time, he approaches controversial topics with humility and grace. The only time I've seen him get his hackles up is when he believes the Gospel itself is being threatened. As far as public figures are concerned, I most closely and clearly identify with John Piper's theology and even (most of his) opinions, though not all of his behavioral convictions.

So - why am I tying all of this to my pastor Keith Ferguson? Keith is younger than me by more years than I am of Piper. I do have some life experience wisdom Keith simply cannot possess due to the reality of age. However, I have no problem listening to Keith's counsel as I believe he possesses some of the same qualities I admire in Piper. I believe Keith is a careful thinker, and is willing to re-examine positions if he believes scripture and reason drive him to do so. Keith is no slouch intellectually (he used the word ontology in the first sermon I heard him preach - I was hooked right then!), but he continues to grow in his passion for the Gospel of God's sovereign grace. With every new sermon series, I anticipate him stepping it up even more in his emphasis on God's over-powering Grace through the Gospel.

What I need from a preacher and pastor is both intellectual depth and integrity along with passion for the things of God - specifically, the Gospel. I have seen this "template" in John Piper, and I am seeing this develop more and more in Keith - in spite of their very different personalities. It will be God who ordains the breadth of Keith's ministry just like he has with John Piper. Regardless of what the future holds, my prayer is that Keith will continue to be faithful with the charge he has right now - which I have confidence in by God's grace. God is producing fruit from this small vineyard in Round Rock, Texas. Soli Deo Gloria!

*Yes, that's an intentional sentence fragment! It's used for conversational emphasis. Like. Totally!