===David Platt===
David Joseph Platt is an American Christian minister, author, and teacher known for his work in evangelical Christianity. Platt was born on July 3, 1979. He grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, and later moved to Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from Oak Mountain High School in Birmingham and then attended the University of Georgia, where he earned a degree in journalism. Following this, he studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree. Platt served as the lead pastor at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, from 2006 to 2014. During his tenure, the church grew significantly, and he became known for his emphasis on missions and radical discipleship. In 2014, he was appointed as the president of the International Mission Board (IMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention, a position he held until 2017. His leadership at the IMB focused on mobilizing missionaries and rethinking missionary strategies.
He is the author of Don’t Hold Back, Radical, Follow Me, Counter Culture, Something Needs to Change, Before You Vote, as well as the multiple volumes of the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series. Platt speaks at conferences and churches around the world. His messages often focus on the cost of discipleship, global missions, and the call to live out the Gospel in practical, often challenging ways.After leaving the IMB, Platt returned to pastoral ministry. He co-founded and serves as the lead pastor at McLean Bible Church in Arlington, Virginia, alongside J.D. Greear. Platt is known for advocating for a lifestyle of radical obedience to Christ, often encouraging believers to move beyond comfort and into areas of need, both locally and globally. David Platt's work has been influential in encouraging a more mission-focused and sacrificial approach to Christian living among evangelicals in the United States and beyond. He lives in the Washington, D.C. metro area.
He is the author of Don’t Hold Back, Radical, Follow Me, Counter Culture, Something Needs to Change, Before You Vote, as well as the multiple volumes of the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series. Platt speaks at conferences and churches around the world. His messages often focus on the cost of discipleship, global missions, and the call to live out the Gospel in practical, often challenging ways.After leaving the IMB, Platt returned to pastoral ministry. He co-founded and serves as the lead pastor at McLean Bible Church in Arlington, Virginia, alongside J.D. Greear. Platt is known for advocating for a lifestyle of radical obedience to Christ, often encouraging believers to move beyond comfort and into areas of need, both locally and globally. David Platt's work has been influential in encouraging a more mission-focused and sacrificial approach to Christian living among evangelicals in the United States and beyond. He lives in the Washington, D.C. metro area.
David Platt
First, temptation waits. As this simple young man goes out for a stroll, “At every corner she lies in wait.” What a picture of temptation. It’s always there, waiting for you in all kinds of ways, all day long. You may think you’re just going along in your day, but temptation is not staying home. It’s lurking all around you. Then, at just the right moment, temptation appears. Verse 13 says, “She seizes him and kisses him.” She makes herself known to him. Now, keep in mind, temptation is not always this forward, this aggressive. Temptation is often more subtle or passive. Think about Genesis 3. The serpent makes himself known with the simple, seemingly innocent question, “Did God actually say not to eat from any tree in the garden? And does God really want your good?” This leads to the next step:
temptation appeals. “I have come out to meet you,” verse 15 says, “to seek you eagerly, and I have found you.” Temptation says, “I want you. I want your good.” It appeals to our desires. In the words of John Piper, “The power of all temptation is the prospect that it will make me happier. No one sins out of a sense of duty.” Temptation flatters you. You want this. You deserve this. You are justified in this. Then
temptation invites. Verse 18 says, “Come, let us take our fill of love till morning.” In Genesis 3, it’s, “Come, take this piece of fruit.” In our lives, it’s, “Dwell on this thought. Indulge this desire. Say these words. React this way. Take these steps.” Then notice how the invitation comes with a promise. Temptation promises at least two things here in Proverbs 7. It promises satisfaction, “You will be delighted with love.” And it promises secrecy. “No one will know. My husband is gone.” Temptation promises to be good for you and devastating to no one. After all of that, it still seems there’s some pause in this young man. The very next verse tells us, “With much seductive speech she persuades him.” Temptation allures. It continues to draw and persuade; eventually it compels him. That word captures the relentless allurement of temptation that we’re all familiar with. --David Platt; Conquering Temptation 7.31.24
temptation appeals. “I have come out to meet you,” verse 15 says, “to seek you eagerly, and I have found you.” Temptation says, “I want you. I want your good.” It appeals to our desires. In the words of John Piper, “The power of all temptation is the prospect that it will make me happier. No one sins out of a sense of duty.” Temptation flatters you. You want this. You deserve this. You are justified in this. Then
temptation invites. Verse 18 says, “Come, let us take our fill of love till morning.” In Genesis 3, it’s, “Come, take this piece of fruit.” In our lives, it’s, “Dwell on this thought. Indulge this desire. Say these words. React this way. Take these steps.” Then notice how the invitation comes with a promise. Temptation promises at least two things here in Proverbs 7. It promises satisfaction, “You will be delighted with love.” And it promises secrecy. “No one will know. My husband is gone.” Temptation promises to be good for you and devastating to no one. After all of that, it still seems there’s some pause in this young man. The very next verse tells us, “With much seductive speech she persuades him.” Temptation allures. It continues to draw and persuade; eventually it compels him. That word captures the relentless allurement of temptation that we’re all familiar with. --David Platt; Conquering Temptation 7.31.24
‘A High and Holy Honor’—David Platt Shares Backstory, Growth of Secret Church
I remember when I first heard about Secret Church. I remember making a joke that it did not seem very secret if I just heard about it. Then, I learned what it was. And, then, more importantly, I saw how it changed lives. This week, I reached out to my friend David Platt, pastor of McLean Bible Church in Washington, D.C., and the founder of Radical, and asked him to share his heart and his passion for Secret Church. He shared more than I expected—and I really wanted you to hear about it. So I’m publishing it here
(Church Leaders 1/26/24) READ MORE>>>>>
I remember when I first heard about Secret Church. I remember making a joke that it did not seem very secret if I just heard about it. Then, I learned what it was. And, then, more importantly, I saw how it changed lives. This week, I reached out to my friend David Platt, pastor of McLean Bible Church in Washington, D.C., and the founder of Radical, and asked him to share his heart and his passion for Secret Church. He shared more than I expected—and I really wanted you to hear about it. So I’m publishing it here
(Church Leaders 1/26/24) READ MORE>>>>>
The Top 10 Religion Stories of 2023
8. Renouncing the American Gospel: PW Talks to David PlattMegachurch pastor and bestselling author David Platt discussed his new book, Don’t Hold Back, including its critique of Americans for prioritizing “comfort, power, politics, and prosperity” over what he calls “the true Gospel of Jesus.”
(Emma Winner/Publishers Weekly 12/13/23) READ MORE>>>>>
8. Renouncing the American Gospel: PW Talks to David PlattMegachurch pastor and bestselling author David Platt discussed his new book, Don’t Hold Back, including its critique of Americans for prioritizing “comfort, power, politics, and prosperity” over what he calls “the true Gospel of Jesus.”
(Emma Winner/Publishers Weekly 12/13/23) READ MORE>>>>>
July 3, 2023: Christian Post: David Platt laments 'idolatry of personal and political convictions' in the Church, issues call to unity
Over the last five years, David Platt, pastor of McLean Bible Church near Washington, D.C., began noticing a disturbing trend in the Church: Instead of being eager to unite around Jesus, the Body of Christ was becoming increasingly quick to divide over what he refers to as the “idolatry of personal and political convictions.”
Over the last five years, David Platt, pastor of McLean Bible Church near Washington, D.C., began noticing a disturbing trend in the Church: Instead of being eager to unite around Jesus, the Body of Christ was becoming increasingly quick to divide over what he refers to as the “idolatry of personal and political convictions.”
July 7. 2023
David Platt Files
“If we’re not careful, we can conflate the Gospel with American ideals and values and power and politics, and in the process, lose the way of Jesus. What He's called us to is so much bigger than what we are tempted to get caught up with in this world, and particularly my country, with the pursuit of comfort and power and politics and prosperity here....We need to make sure we know which beliefs go in which bucket,” adding that particularly during the last election, many people “put how you voted in the same bucket that we put the atonement of Jesus and the Trinity......No, these are not the same. And so we need to be careful not to mix those buckets and then careful to remember how to love people who have convictions in different buckets.” --David Platt; Christian Post; David Platt laments 'idolatry of personal and political convictions' in the Church, issues call to unity 7.3.23
David Platt Files
“I'm not saying politics aren't important, and I’m not saying all comfort is all bad. But I'm saying we've been called to follow One who beckons us to die to ourselves in this world and to live for another world altogether, not to live for a country that one day, like all other countries, is going to fall and to live for a Kingdom that's going to last forever. And that changes the way we live here....How can we experience the multi-ethnic beauty of the Church? How can we make sure we're seeking God not as a means to an end, but as the end? How can we be intentional about showing counter-cultural compassion in the world and doing justice in a world of injustice?”
--David Platt; Christian Post; David Platt laments 'idolatry of personal and political convictions' in the Church, issues call to unity 7.3.23
--David Platt; Christian Post; David Platt laments 'idolatry of personal and political convictions' in the Church, issues call to unity 7.3.23
David Platt Files
“The key for me as a pastor is to make sure where the Bible speaks clearly and directly that I'm speaking clearly and directly. For years, I was silent about abortion. And I just kind of saw that as a political issue. And then I was reading Psalm 139 one day, and I'd read it before, but God just opened my eyes in a fresh way: This is a biblical issue far before it's a political issue. I think many times we as pastors, if we're not careful, can be selective about the issues we will address or won't address from the Word based on the political party that most people in our church may align with. And that's where we've got to be really, really careful that the world's not setting the agenda for what we're preaching and teaching, but it really is God's Word that’s setting that agenda.” --David Platt; Christian Post; David Platt laments 'idolatry of personal and political convictions' in the Church, issues call to unity 7.3.23
David Platt Files
“Our purpose on the planet is not to promote the greatness of our nation, it's to spread the Gospel to all nations. We have more opportunities than ever before in history, to spread the Gospel to the ends of the Earth today than any other people have ever had...In all this, I think one of my biggest concerns is to call the Church to see that Jesus is not a means to an end; He is the end. He is the One. God Himself is the goal of the Gospel. If we're not careful, we can subtly look to him as a means to a variety of other ends that will fall far short of what our hearts were created to find satisfaction in,”
--David Platt; Christian Post; David Platt laments 'idolatry of personal and political convictions' in the Church, issues call to unity 7.3.23
David Platt Files
“Radical obedience to Christ is not easy... It's not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in this world. Radical obedience to Christ risks losing all these things. But in the end, such risk finds its reward in Christ. And he is more than enough for us.”
― David Platt, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream
David Platt Files
“Should it concern us that the bible never calls us to ask Jesus into our hearts. Should it concern us that the bible never mentions such a superstitious sinners prayer and yet that is exactly what we have sold to so many as salvation.”
― David Platt
David Platt Files
“As American Christians, we celebrate the idea that "all men are created equal." This statement from our Declaration of Indepenence is grounded in the biblical teaching that every person in the world has been formed in the image of God and therefore has instrinsic worth. it's a beautiful idea.
Subtly, however, this equality of persons shifts into an equality of ideas. Just as every person is equally valued, so every idea is equally valid. Applied to faith, this means that in a world where different people have different religious views, all such views should be treated as fundamntally equal.
In this system of thinking, faith is a matter of taste, not of truth.......
Then I implore you to consider the urgent need before us to forsake the American dream now in favor of radical abandonment to the person and purpose of Christ.”
― David Platt, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream
Subtly, however, this equality of persons shifts into an equality of ideas. Just as every person is equally valued, so every idea is equally valid. Applied to faith, this means that in a world where different people have different religious views, all such views should be treated as fundamntally equal.
In this system of thinking, faith is a matter of taste, not of truth.......
Then I implore you to consider the urgent need before us to forsake the American dream now in favor of radical abandonment to the person and purpose of Christ.”
― David Platt, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream
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Apr 21, 2023: Church Leaders: David Platt: We Need To Get Back to the Biblical Gospel Instead of a False Gospel That ‘Prostitutes Jesus’
An “American gospel” has taken over our hearts, warns Pastor David Platt. Platt joined the Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast to share why he believes this false gospel “has led to all kinds of division and discouragement and disillusionment with the church.” |
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Apr 19, 2023: Christianity Today: David Platt Wasn’t Radical Enough
I am convinced that it’s not just an American Dream that has been consuming our lives. There’s actually an American gospel that’s hijacked our hearts.”
So says David Platt, pastor and author of three New York Times bestsellers, on today’s episode of The Russell Moore Show. Referencing his 2010 book Radical, Platt now believes that the core issues in American Christianity run even deeper than he thought they did. His new book, Don’t Hold Back, speaks to those issues
I am convinced that it’s not just an American Dream that has been consuming our lives. There’s actually an American gospel that’s hijacked our hearts.”
So says David Platt, pastor and author of three New York Times bestsellers, on today’s episode of The Russell Moore Show. Referencing his 2010 book Radical, Platt now believes that the core issues in American Christianity run even deeper than he thought they did. His new book, Don’t Hold Back, speaks to those issues
Feb 13, 2023: Christianity Today: David Platt: We Take the Gospel to the Nations, as the Nations
Over ten years ago, David Platt wrote his bestseller Radical, which encouraged American Christians to disentangle their faith from the American dream. In the years since, he and the church he pastors, McLean Bible Church in metro Washington, DC, have navigated their fair share of political and cultural tensions, including contentious elections, pandemic-era divisions, and debates on racial injustice. In Don’t Hold Back: Leaving Behind the American Gospel to Follow Jesus Fully, Platt reframes these events for discouraged leaders and disillusioned believers alike. Author Kaitlyn Schiess spoke with Platt about what he’s learned pastoring a church through treacherous political waters.
Over ten years ago, David Platt wrote his bestseller Radical, which encouraged American Christians to disentangle their faith from the American dream. In the years since, he and the church he pastors, McLean Bible Church in metro Washington, DC, have navigated their fair share of political and cultural tensions, including contentious elections, pandemic-era divisions, and debates on racial injustice. In Don’t Hold Back: Leaving Behind the American Gospel to Follow Jesus Fully, Platt reframes these events for discouraged leaders and disillusioned believers alike. Author Kaitlyn Schiess spoke with Platt about what he’s learned pastoring a church through treacherous political waters.
Feb 11, 2022: China Christian Daily: David Platt Says We’re Not Obeying the Great Commission If 3 Billion People Remain Unreached by the Gospel
Megachurch pastor David Platt urged Christians to participate in the fulfillment of the Great Commission as there are over three billion people still unreached by the gospel.
Megachurch pastor David Platt urged Christians to participate in the fulfillment of the Great Commission as there are over three billion people still unreached by the gospel.
Jan 13, 2022: Capstone Report: David Platt twists Scripture to attack conservative members of McLean Bible Church
David Platt used his Sunday sermon January 8, 2022, to attack critics of the Woke Theology being taught at McLean Bible Church. Platt twisted the Scripture reading to defend himself from Woke critics. Of course, this is false, but Platt never let the truth stop him from playing the victim.
David Platt used his Sunday sermon January 8, 2022, to attack critics of the Woke Theology being taught at McLean Bible Church. Platt twisted the Scripture reading to defend himself from Woke critics. Of course, this is false, but Platt never let the truth stop him from playing the victim.
Jan 7, 2022: Christian Headlines: Avoid 'Casual, Comfortable, Cultural Christianity,' Pastor David Platt Encourages
"Be finished and done with a form of Christianity that says, 'Pray a prayer, go to church, live it up in the world, go to some conferences and coast your way to Heaven.' That's not Christianity because it's not following Christ," said Platt, the pastor of McLean Bible Church in Virginia and head of Radical, an evangelistic outreach ministry.
"Be finished and done with a form of Christianity that says, 'Pray a prayer, go to church, live it up in the world, go to some conferences and coast your way to Heaven.' That's not Christianity because it's not following Christ," said Platt, the pastor of McLean Bible Church in Virginia and head of Radical, an evangelistic outreach ministry.
According to a former McLean Bible Church Elder, David Platt destroyed the church with his leftist political activism. The former elder, Mark Gottleib said David Platt turned McLean into a “political, stripped-down version” of the church, according to an email.
Mark Gottlieb said in a letter to McLean Bible Church members, “Over the last several years, we’ve watched David take the church—the church we built, the church we love, the church we’ve poured our hearts and souls and lives into—and turned it into a political, stripped-down version of what it used to be. Most ministries are gone. The leaders are doing things we disagree with.”
And David Platt’s leftist politics is driving the division.
According to Gottlieb, “The unifying concern among those who knew the church is that David Platt is the wrong pastor for MBC. We were historically a conservative church, and David is left of center—he’s taken our church down paths we never anticipated.”
[SOURCE: Capstone Report; 8.8.2021]
Mark Gottlieb said in a letter to McLean Bible Church members, “Over the last several years, we’ve watched David take the church—the church we built, the church we love, the church we’ve poured our hearts and souls and lives into—and turned it into a political, stripped-down version of what it used to be. Most ministries are gone. The leaders are doing things we disagree with.”
And David Platt’s leftist politics is driving the division.
According to Gottlieb, “The unifying concern among those who knew the church is that David Platt is the wrong pastor for MBC. We were historically a conservative church, and David is left of center—he’s taken our church down paths we never anticipated.”
[SOURCE: Capstone Report; 8.8.2021]
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Aug 8, 2021: Christian Post: California recall: Calling the Christian Left's bluff on racial equity
Or how about other progressive Christian figures, like Russell Moore, Ed Stetzer, Pastor David Platt, Beth Moore or author Gregory Thompson, who have all advocated for greater levels of diversity. |
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May 14, 2021: Lifesong for Orphans: A Prayer for Those Who Wait | David Platt
David and Heather Platt know what it means to wait for an adoption. They had planned to bring their son home in early 2020, but the COVID-19 virus meant they couldn’t travel. Burdened for his son and for all who are waiting, David shared the following…
David and Heather Platt know what it means to wait for an adoption. They had planned to bring their son home in early 2020, but the COVID-19 virus meant they couldn’t travel. Burdened for his son and for all who are waiting, David shared the following…
July 20, 2021: Religion News: David Platt’s dreams for McLean Bible Church sour as members file lawsuit over elder vote
Critics say the church’s leadership has become “woke” and has substituted critical race theory and social justice for biblical teaching. Platt and other leaders, they say, have abused their power by violating the church’s constitution.
In response, Platt has claimed that the church is trying to fight off a hostile takeover and that Satan is trying to divide the church.
Critics say the church’s leadership has become “woke” and has substituted critical race theory and social justice for biblical teaching. Platt and other leaders, they say, have abused their power by violating the church’s constitution.
In response, Platt has claimed that the church is trying to fight off a hostile takeover and that Satan is trying to divide the church.
May 24, 2021: Christian Post: Pentecost Sunday kicks off 33-day challenge to pray for Gospel-destitute areas of the word
Pastors David Platt and Francis Chan have joined a collective of more than 50 Christian ministries in launching a 33-day prayer challenge on Sunday, the Day of Pentecost, to raise awareness for the one-third of the world’s population that is still without access to the Bible, the church and other believers.
Pastors David Platt and Francis Chan have joined a collective of more than 50 Christian ministries in launching a 33-day prayer challenge on Sunday, the Day of Pentecost, to raise awareness for the one-third of the world’s population that is still without access to the Bible, the church and other believers.
Sept 30, 2020: ChurchLeaders: David Platt on the Problems With Saying ‘You Can’t Be a Christian and Vote For…’
In an interview with Collin Hansen of Gospelbound, Pastor David Platt shared his thoughts on how believers and church leaders can navigate an acrimonious political election with wisdom and love. Platt emphasized the need for Jesus to take preeminence in all of our conversations and explained why he believes Christians should almost never say, “You can’t be a Christian and vote for” a particular candidate.
In an interview with Collin Hansen of Gospelbound, Pastor David Platt shared his thoughts on how believers and church leaders can navigate an acrimonious political election with wisdom and love. Platt emphasized the need for Jesus to take preeminence in all of our conversations and explained why he believes Christians should almost never say, “You can’t be a Christian and vote for” a particular candidate.
June 12, 2019: Al.com: David Platt: What he learned praying for Trump
The Rev. David Platt learned a lot in the aftermath of his heavily criticized decision to pray for President Donald Trump from the stage of his church.
He knew some people would be happy he prayed with Trump, who stopped by McLean Bible Church in Virginia after a golf outing.
The Rev. David Platt learned a lot in the aftermath of his heavily criticized decision to pray for President Donald Trump from the stage of his church.
He knew some people would be happy he prayed with Trump, who stopped by McLean Bible Church in Virginia after a golf outing.
June 22, 2018: Desiring God: What 40-Year-Old David Platt Would Say to His 20-Year-Old Self
Then in February of 2017, he returned to preaching, this time at McLean Bible Church, a DC-area megachurch, officially becoming the church’s teaching pastor in September of last year. Initially he aimed to do both: preach and lead the IMB. But early this year he said it wasn’t going to work, and he intended to resign from the IMB once the SBC could find his replacement.
I asked him for an update. And he shared his heart for local churches as the home base in the advance of global missions — a pattern he sees in the mission of Paul.
Then in February of 2017, he returned to preaching, this time at McLean Bible Church, a DC-area megachurch, officially becoming the church’s teaching pastor in September of last year. Initially he aimed to do both: preach and lead the IMB. But early this year he said it wasn’t going to work, and he intended to resign from the IMB once the SBC could find his replacement.
I asked him for an update. And he shared his heart for local churches as the home base in the advance of global missions — a pattern he sees in the mission of Paul.
Mar 14, 2015: Christian Post: David Platt's Call to Counter Culture
So when a pastor takes a public stand to say, "I have a deep pastoral concern that Christians and churches are flinching all across our culture" it makes us ooh and aah a bit in wonder and admiration. This was the reaction to Dr. David' Platt's keynote address at the annual National Religious Broadcaster's Convention held in Nashville, Tennessee last week. What should be the norm for Christian leadership is increasingly becoming the exception.
So when a pastor takes a public stand to say, "I have a deep pastoral concern that Christians and churches are flinching all across our culture" it makes us ooh and aah a bit in wonder and admiration. This was the reaction to Dr. David' Platt's keynote address at the annual National Religious Broadcaster's Convention held in Nashville, Tennessee last week. What should be the norm for Christian leadership is increasingly becoming the exception.
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Nov 5, 2014: Even in his new role as the International Mission Board President for the Southern Baptist Convention, David Platt vowed to continue his preaching ministry by means of a new podcast he launched Monday.
Although his new role will take a lot of his time and attention, Platt said, "I don't have any desire to stop preaching." The Alabama pastor told listeners that he loves studying and teaching the Bible and wants to continue to encourage others through God's word. (Source: Christian Post) |
"I want to be a part of a church that together sees the concept of unreached people as totally intolerable to us," expressed Platt. 11.4.14 |