John Piper is an extremely well-trained theologian, retired pastor,
author, and conference speaker. Sam Allberry is a former Anglican priest in the
London area who identifies as “same-sex attracted.” Piper wrote Desiring God. Allberry wrote, Is God Anti-Gay? Why are these two
men central figures in the same book?
Displaying the young author’s astonishing depth and breadth of history,
theology, and the current state of affairs in Western Christianity, these two
men are recognized by him to be part of the same problem, the downward slide
into religious apostasy.
Within the last six months, the English-speaking world has become
familiar with the new term, describing the middle-aged, social distancing rules
enforcing, finger-wagging woman as a Karen. The term is popular in the UK,
Canada, the USA, and Australia, and New Zealand. Americans would recognize a
Karen as a grade school student hall monitor, quick to point the finger of
accusation of wrongdoing. The conservative Christian version of a Karen would
be very busy indeed with this book, although there is nothing in this book that
violates the pattern or the template found in the apostle Paul’s actions. John
Piper and Sam Allberry need to be called out.
This book addresses the subtle altering of
spiritual authority from the Word of God to emotion, from objectivity to
subjectivity, from Protestantism to a slide in the direction of Romanism, from
a biblical denunciation of certain sinful practices (homosexuality) to a wrongly
tolerant attitude toward that which God decries as rebellion toward Him and as
culture and family destroying sins. The book exposes and opposes the
introduction of mysticism into contemporary evangelical Christianity by Piper
while also opposing the slide away from sins being exceeding sinful to sins
being tolerated by Allberry.
Both men are famous for introducing new
terminology to issues the Word of God deals with most satisfactorily. New terms
are unnecessary. The only reason to introduce new vocabulary is to cast off the
biblical approach that is being abandoned. One man is abandoning theological
orthodoxy. The other man is abandoning a biblical stance against sin.
I learned a great deal in this short book. I
had never heard of the former Anglican priest before. I had previously felt an
undefined uneasiness with Piper that this book brought into sharp focus with
its well-researched overview of both men’s positions and practices.
Many Christian leaders are downplaying the
seriousness of homosexuality to advance a conservative political agenda. Such pragmatism
does not serve the cause of Christ well. Other Christian leaders are woefully
ignorant of the theological distortion that is being imposed upon the Christian
community because they are not widely read. This book shows the author’s
concern for doctrinal integrity, his appreciation of historical orthodoxy, and
his wisdom concerning the remedy for what ails us.
I heartily recommend this book to one and all.
I plead with you to gift your pastors with this book at the earliest
opportunity.
