In 1986, John Piper penned Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist. The thesis of the book is also a reflection of the author’s life, namely, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.” When I picked up Desiring God over thirty years ago, I never dreamed of the impact it would have on my life.

Fast-forward to 2022. John Piper’s book What is Saving Faith?  is really an extension of the arguments that were originally set forth in Desiring God. Piper writes, “God is glorified when he is trusted as true and reliable. He is more glorified when this trust is a treasuring trust - a being satisfied in God as our great reward.”

Dr. Piper is also extending the argument that John MacArthur set forth in his monumental book, The Gospel According to Jesus. Piper argues that saving faith has affectional elements that are absolutely necessary. Faith without these affectional elements is not saving faith.

The central argument that props up Piper’s thesis is receiving Christ as our supreme treasure. The author excavates dozens of Bible passages that help support this claim. In the end, he successfully defends his argument.

What is Saving Faith? is a challenging book. The arguments are tight and the logic is compelling. Sometimes the arguments seem repetitive, which may be intentional or a reflection of this reader’s poor comprehension. In any case, Dr. Piper’s newest work is deeply encouraging and educating. The God-centered themes will surely spark a new generation of faithful evangelism and a host of followers who find their satisfaction in God and the beauty of his Son in the gospel.