Ask Pastor John

John Piper turned 80 in January 2026 and he's still answering questions about the Bible from his home office in Minneapolis. That's basically what Ask Pastor John has been since 2013 — listeners submit theological and pastoral questions, and Piper gives prepared, thoughtful responses grounded in Scripture. The format is simple. The execution, after nearly 2,000 episodes and over 400 million plays, is anything but. Piper served as pastor for preaching at Bethlehem Baptist Church for 33 years before retiring from the pulpit. He holds a doctorate from the University of Munich, founded the Desiring God ministry, and now serves as chancellor of Bethlehem College and Seminary. That Reformed Baptist theological framework shapes every answer he gives, and he's upfront about it. You always know where Piper stands. Episodes are short — most run 10 to 15 minutes — which makes this one of the most efficient theology podcasts available. The questions range wildly: hard Bible passages, marriage struggles, cultural controversies, the nature of suffering, how to pray when you don't feel like it. Piper doesn't do off-the-cuff responses. He prepares in advance, and the answers carry the weight of decades of pastoral experience and serious biblical study. The tone is earnest and direct. Piper isn't trying to be funny or culturally hip. He's trying to be faithful to the text, and that singular focus has built one of the most enduring Christian podcasts in existence. If you want quick, substantive answers to real questions about living the Christian life from a seasoned Reformed theologian, this is the gold standard.