Light + Truth The God Who Never Takes Risks
Dec 9, 2025
John Piper, a prominent Reformed pastor and theologian, delves into the intriguing question of whether a sovereign God can take risks. He argues that true risk implies uncertainty, something God, in His omniscience, cannot embody. Piper discusses how God's immutable happiness is foundational for the gospel and critiques the notion that the incarnation represented a risk. He illustrates that the Great Commission is rooted in God's guarantees, encouraging a balanced approach to missions that harmonizes divine sovereignty with human zeal.
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God's Unique Sovereignty Guarantees His Blessedness
- Paul frames God as uniquely sovereign, immortal, and dwelling in unapproachable light to guarantee God's blessedness.
- John Piper argues that if God's happiness could be threatened, the gospel itself would collapse.
Singapore Talk That Sparked The Question
- John Piper recounts hearing an African theologian in Singapore who claimed God is a risk-taker to motivate human risk-taking.
- Piper found that portrayal alarming because it undermined the theological foundation for his own willingness to take risks.
Clear Definition Of Risk
- Piper defines risk as action taken amid uncertainty and without power to ensure a favorable outcome.
- He concludes that certainty of outcome or power to prevent harm disqualifies an act from being a risk.
