In college, Piper originally wanted to pursue a career in medicine, before deciding to go into ministry during a bout of mononucleosis, while listening to the sermons of Harold Ockenga over the radio from his hospital bed. Piper received his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. While at Fuller, Piper took several courses from Daniel Fuller, and through him discovered the writings of Jonathan Edwards. Along with C. S. Lewis, Edwards and Fuller are noted influences in Piper's life and ministry.