Christian rapper Lecrae recently opened up about one of the most influential relationships in his spiritual life, admitting that he once made pastor and theologian John Piper an idol in his life.
During an episode of his “The Deep End” podcast last week, Lecrae reflected on his decades-long relationship with Piper, saying his admiration for the longtime pastor eventually became unhealthy.
“Also, do I want to be this honest? Yeah, I’ll be this honest. I made an idol out of John Piper. His words became truth,” Lecrae said. “I’m not realizing I see him as like a father figure. I think that’s healthy in some senses, but it’s also unhealthy.”
RELATED: The Crisis That Broke Lecrae Open and the Belief He Rebuilt From Scratch
The Grammy Award-winning rapper explained that his comments are not meant to criticize Piper, but to examine how unresolved personal wounds shaped the way he viewed influential Christian leaders.
Lecrae said he grew up in a fatherless home and longed for affirmation from older men. As a young believer searching for theological depth, he discovered Piper’s teaching through the book “Desiring God” and quickly immersed himself in the Reformed pastor’s sermons, books, and ministry.
“You would have thought that I had met the second coming of Christ the way my eyes popped out of my head reading this book,” Lecrae said of his first encounter with Piper’s writing. “It was revelatory.”
That admiration eventually led him to partner with Piper’s “Don’t Waste Your Life” ministry, write songs inspired by Piper’s teaching and develop a personal relationship with the pastor.
Recalling their first meeting, Lecrae said he was more overwhelmed than when he had met celebrities or presidents.
“Y’all, I’ve met Michael Jordan. I’ve met Jay-Z. I’ve met Beyoncé. I have met Kendrick [Lamar]. I have met them all. None of them created the sense of like awe that was created when I met John Piper,” he said. “I’ve met the last three presidents. The only other person that shook me up [like that] was Tim Keller.”
Describing the first time he met Piper, Lecrae said he was “literally shaking. I’m shaking. I’m in awe because man has changed my life so tremendously through his words.”