Does God Desire All to Be Saved? (New Book from John Piper)


Let’s restate this to expose the error: God doesn’t desire everybody to be saved. He actually likes the thought of some going to hell. It makes His sovereignty appear more acceptable. You have to twist and contort Scripture beyond all reason and recognition to arrive at that conclusion. I Tim. 2:3-6 “God our Savior, who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself for all to be testified in due time.” What will follow this post will be some strained attempts on the part of some people to explain away this plain truth.

I believe Piper answers the question with “Yes.”

From http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/books/does-god-desire-all-to-be-saved.

About the Book

In this short, theological essay, John Piper builds a scriptural case that God’s unconditional election unto salvation is compatible with God’s genuine desire and offer for all to be saved. Helping us to make sense of this seemingly paradoxical relationship, Piper wisely holds both truths in tension as he explores the Bible’s teaching on this challenging topic, graciously responds to those who disagree, and motivates us to passionately proclaim the free offer of the gospel to all people.

Perhaps you weren’t aware that he answers the question with “Yes”?

Michael Osborne
Philadelphia, PA

[jimcarwest]


What will follow this post will be some strained attempts on the part of some people to explain away this plain truth.

Or it may be some strained attempts to understand how you butchered what is being discussed in this book with your comment.

[jimcarwest]


Let’s restate this to expose the error: God doesn’t desire everybody to be saved. He actually likes the thought of some going to hell. It makes His sovereignty appear more acceptable. You have to twist and contort Scripture beyond all reason and recognition to arrive at that conclusion. I Tim. 2:3-6 “God our Savior, who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself for all to be testified in due time.” What will follow this post will be some strained attempts on the part of some people to explain away this plain truth.

Jim, I would quote the whole 9th chapter of Romans in reply, but it is probable best to focus on verses 22-24.

22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?

You cannot have the riches of His glory prepared by God without accepting the vessels prepared for destruction.

Why is it that my voice always seems to be loudest when I am saying the dumbest things?

II Peter 3:9 Just accept the fact that God actually does work all things according to His own will. Since we are all born spiritually dead, we came into this world prepared for destruction.

Holy God, in His Infinite Wisdom and love, chose before the foundation of the world to save all who believe.

“For whosoever” actually means, “whosoever”. Deep huh?

The elect are all who believe. The non-elect are unbelievers. We complicate this tooooooo much!

Ex. 15:2 Just a favorite verse, God bless.

I believe God does desire all to be saved. I also believe he has chosen some to be saved and passed over others. The condition of that choice rests with God and all of his attributes, not with our self-perceived goodness. Though these ideas are in tension, both are taught in Scripture. Only a perfect, holy, and infinitely good God could ever harmonize these ideas. The secret things belong to the Lord. We will never be able to fully comprehend this matter. If a person truly wants to be saved, he can be saved. If so, he or she should recognize that God is working and initiating the conviction, drawing, and illumination that is calling him or her to salvation. We must give God the full glory for salvation.

Pastor Mike Harding

It is amazing to me how my Lord gave me a soft heart for Him. Born into a family that did not know or love my God, yet made to go to Sunday School by my unsaved dad. Led to Christ

by my nine year old girl cousin, I was ten. Just failed fifth grade. My parents separated and ended in divorce. Influenced by the story of George Mennsiks daughter. Got off my knees reading

the Holy Scriptures which live and abide forever. Witnessing about my Lord, going to church and praying without ever being told. I was truly born again.

The message told to me by my cousin was familiar to me because I learned about my Redeemer in Sunday School.

I have been blessed to lead my Dad to Christ just before he died. When I was young he told my he hated to see the day I would be a preacher. He ended up happy I was. Led my Mother

and both sisters to Christ as well.

I am so blessed, one son and five daughters, four full time Christian workers. The other two families, members of First Baptist in Mishawaka In. and Bethel Baptist, Schaumburg Il.. Nos. 22 and 23 grandchildren

on the way. How God has blessed this poor soul. Married for almost 41 years. Praise God He reached down for me.

Ex. 15:2