Ask Pastor John

Christians can disagree over many doctrines and stay friends. But what should we do when a friend rejects a doctrine central to the gospel?

How might Christians process feelings of guilt over the death of a loved one? Pastor John offers counsel to a new widow struggling not to blame herself.

In Christ, God makes more of us than we could ever imagine. And he will go on doing so forever.

Does faith bring about the new birth, or does the new birth bring about faith? Pastor John offers three reasons why getting the order right matters.

Does God delight in his people based on Christ’s work alone, or does his delight also depend on our own holiness?

When God makes much of us, he does it for his sake, not ours. And that makes his love far greater than we could have imagined.

Some shame condemns and destroys, and some shame heals and restores. So how can we tell the difference between misplaced and well-placed shame?

In his letters, Paul speaks not only of teachings he delivered to the churches, but also of traditions he passed on. What kind of traditions does he have in mind?

Many nominal Christians go to church, believe God loves them, and yet are on their way to hell. So what marks the born again from those who only think they are?

In America, there are hundreds of thousands of frozen embryos, left over from in vitro fertilization. How might Christians weigh the decision to adopt one of them?

What kind of person does Romans 7:14–25 describe? Pastor John offers nine reasons to read Paul’s description as part of the Christian experience.

The church of Acts often gathered together to praise God and intercede for his people. So what might we lose if we pray only by ourselves?

God gave us a book about Jesus, not a video. So how might Christians think about dramatic portrayals of Jesus’s life in television or movies?

If God’s wrath comes against evil desires, and not only evil behaviors, why will his wrath not come against Christians, who still battle evil desires?

A lack of love for other people doesn’t show that we’re trying too hard to please ourselves — it shows that we’re far too easily pleased.

How can we turn our attention away from regrets, dreams, and other consuming thoughts so that we can set our minds on things that are above?

If two spouses agree that they do not want to have more children, would it be sinful to pursue permanent forms of birth control?

How do I follow God’s lead in my daily decisions? I know he’s my shepherd, and that he’s leading me, but how do I know if I am following him?

To be a Christian is not only to trust Christ and treasure Christ, but to be indwelt by Christ. And that new identity transforms all our relationships.

God still answers prayers for physical healing today. But how should Christians evaluate the claims of so-called healing ministries?

We know that Jesus has purchased both our forgiveness and our physical healing at the cross. But what kind of healing can we expect in this life?

If all our sins are forgiven — past, present, and future — does ongoing confession show that we doubt Christ’s finished work?

If our sinful flesh was crucified with Christ when we first believed, why do we keep sinning like we do?

How do we make sure the good we do is not done in vain? Listen to Pastor John’s answer more than thirty years ago, just weeks after becoming a pastor.

When we look around at our world of horrific suffering, how can we keep believing in an all-good, all-wise, totally sovereign God?