hey man... caught your comment on dave's xanga... just wanna inform about the context to this piper statement. trust me... just listen to the mp3 when its available. there was nothing insulting about his comment nor was there intention to do so. in fact, for most of us who heard it, it was MAD convicting. Piper was making reference to what he foresees as a possible asian missions movement to Asia. From his observation to the number of asians in attendance, he caught a glimpse of God sovereignly doing a work within the Asian American Christian community in fulfilling this task.     

his comment about the "satanic face" was actually in reference to how muslims in muslim populated countries perceive foreigners, particularly whites for a number of reasons... hence, piper's reference to his face as satanic. he's implying that theres a stigma thats unfortunately attached to americans... a stigma that isnt as prevalent among Asians. As such, theres a great opportunity that is open for asian believers to go overseas to nations that would generally be closed to Americans.

challies left a lot out on his blog, which dave quoted, so i understand that it mite appear to be taken as offensive, but i cant imagine that it would be if ud hear it within its context. praying u can extend some grace in this matter brother. blessings.   

I could see how the comments of John Piper sound ridiculous and borderline racist. It sounds like the voice of a bygone era of western Christian influence due to its departure from its Christian albeit tattered testimony attempting to give its last great speech "old Western Christians never die, they just fade away..."  Pathetic at best.

However, the upside to this challenge is that it is true. Christians of Asian origin, like the economies of those governments, are growing in influence and power. I have learned, read, and studied this truth in Seminary. For the first time in Christianity's 2,000 year old history, a non-Western culture leads in the missionary efforts around the world, Korea.  The US and Britain have been bumped down to second and third place. This is a historical paradigm shift of a magnitude that cannot be overstated!  This is truly a mark of the dedication and peserverance of Asian Christians seeking God and these efforts have become a fact through statistics that cannot be disputed.

Asian Christian leaders should learn not to repeat the mistakes of the North America's & Christian Europes past (Spain, Britain, Portugal, Germany, etc) and evangelize a new generation, a new era, a new world to Christ.

Drewsmusic,

I have listened to the sermon, and thus was able to listen to Piper's comments in its proper context.  While admitting that isolated printed quotes almost always seem more egregious than when listened to in context, my position does not substantially change.  The fact that Piper stereotyped Asian-Americans in a complimentary light (that came with the trumpet blast of a spiritual challenge!) does not take away from the fact that he made a generalization based on race.  That is the beginning of racism.  The first baby steps of rancid stereotypes often come with the conception of complimentary generalizations based on race. 

And think of the corollary.  In saying that the Asian face was so perfect for missions, he was also saying, by implication, that the latino or black face was not so suited to missions.  What is a latino- or black- American supposed to do with that?

Another problem I had with his message was that when he initially started talking about Asian-Americans as missionaries, he only mentioned Asian countries as the mission fields they should go to.  (Only after he talked about the demon-face, did he mention the Middle East).  Clearly, it seems to Piper that Asian-Americans should only go to Asia for missions.  While Asian Americans may have significant linguistic and cultural advantages in being sent as missionaries to Asia, this portion of Piper's exhortation came across as a "Go back to your own country!" kind of call.