Reviewing John Piper's Does God Desire All To Be Saved?

Does God Desire All To Be Saved? That is an absolutely massive question that many have pondered over the years, but few have grappled with the question with others. We often simply want light-hearted conversations and have a fear of offending people. The question begs to be addressed though, and the answer is available to us.

Chancellor Piper helps us see it in the Scriptures through his short book, Does God Desire All To Be Saved?. Does our Heavenly Father desire for all of mankind to be saved from His holy wrath and a life of eternal torment in Hell despite choosing only some to be saved unconditionally? Yes. Isn't that a contradiction? No. How is that even possible? Many tough questions are addressed throughout the book, and regardless of your theological bent, you'll do plenty of thinking.

When you don't include the table of contents, acknowledgments, a note on resources, and the Scripture index, John Piper's Does God Desire All To Be Saved? is only 45 pages. The book is divided into an introduction and four chapters entitled:

1. My Aim
2. Illustrations of Two Wills in God
3. How Extensive is the Sovereign Will of God?
4. Does It Make Sense?

If you've read Piper's The Pleasures of God or Schreiner and Ware's books, The Grace of God and Still Sovereign, you might recognize portions of Does God Desire All To Be Saved?. This book is a revised and expanded version of material published in those books. Chancellor Piper handles the sensitive topics with grace and truth, and if you are up for grappling with the God of the universe, I recommend getting the book.

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4