Packer on the Christian Life: Knowing God in Christ, Walking by the Spirit (Theologians on the Christian Life)
Every once in a great while a book comes along that changes things for me…because it changes me.
Anybody that’s ever read anything I’ve written or known me personally for more than five minutes knows that I revere Dr. J.I. Packer.
He provided me with my theological foundations, taught me how to think theologically, and more so, taught me that all my learning was to lead to knowing God and loving Him more.
All theology must lead to doxology…any other outcome is trifling in comparison.
He is my father in the faith.
Fathers, however, must compete with other voices and influences in the lives of their children.
In the last few years I’ve listened to many of those voices, sometimes drinking in their words deeply.
Sometimes this has been to my profit.
In too many other ways, it’s led to a drift from the foundations Packer laid with precision in my life.
In this volume Sam Storms, (a notable theologian in his own right) reintroduced me to the rock solid, Biblical, foundation that is in the works of J.I. Packer.
Storms is wise…instead of trying to explain Packer’s theology, he simply lets Packer speak for himself…because no one has ever been as clear and concise as Dr. Packer.
I am deeply grateful that he chose this way because in reading Packer again I can see my drift and find my anchor.
Storms chooses the best of Packer on the atonement, the authority of scripture, holiness, sanctification, and other cardinal doctrines.
The chapter on scripture is worth the price of the book alone.
If you’re new to the Christian faith, this is an excellent and understandable primer on doctrine and theology.
If you’re a veteran of the faith, Packer will cut through all the current doctrinal smoke and confusion to the heart of biblical truth for you.
I can’t recommend this book highly enough…and I’m going to post some classic Packer over the next few days to celebrate it.
It’s available here on Kindle and in paperback.
know what? i just ordered the book – paperback
The Weekend Word thread wore me out, drove me to look for some good, clear, sound thinking, i guess :smile” looking forward to the read – wish it were here right now
Em,
I think you’ll appreciate it…I wish I could send everyone a copy, then retire. 🙂
Sorry Em. 🙂
Michael, I just got a 98 on my reaction paper to Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God. Thought you’d be proud 🙂
Josh,
Well done!
I hope you read “Fundamentalism and the Sovereignty of God” as well…great little book.
Never heard of that one. Googling shows me that you meant Fundamentalism and Word of God. Hadn’t heard of that either.
What’s it about?
I wrote it wrong…it’s as you said, “Fundamentalism and the Word of God”.
It’s a defense of the authority of Scripture.
Oh, ok. I’m in. Got a $100 gift this Sunday with the condition that I spend it on books.
Congratulations!
Thank God someone in your life understands the importance of books to a young (or old) theologian.
I know, right? Such a blessing.
#3-Josh, please don’t be sorry… it’s just some of these threads make my head spin at times
and congratulations on the “98”
Knowing God is one of those books I’ll never be done with, or I probably will always want to read again. It also is a Heavenly, gentle slap to those who think they’ve mastered their walk.
Now, if Packer had just adopted the Moses model.
: )
i see that this is a series and Packer is in with Newton, Luther and Edwards… are there more of these? it would make a good collection and, probably a good study for a term paper or some such
Em,
I’m getting the Luther volume next, as it’s by the wondrous and caustic Carl Trueman. There are more to come.
okay, i see that it is a series called “Theologians on the Christian Life” hmmm since i’m finishing my Christian life , i’ll have to see if we agree (book gets here Saturday and if there’s no company coming, i’ll finish it by Monday)
yipes, the book, i’ll finish the book! not my life! – Lord, don’t make me a prophet 🙂
Em,
I’m confident we’ll get a review from you on Tuesday… 🙂
only if i can confine myself to one sentence, Michael… i won’t presume to qualify for that task – you do it 🙂
Em,
Packers goal and mine by inheritance is that all of us become theologians.
I need to know which tools serve that purpose for pastors and lay people alike.
My theory is that an educated laity will end abusive or abhorrent preachers before they get a foothold…
the laity does need educating – the danger is in the education that we’re being exposed to now – so many discouraged pilgrims – makes me wonder how to renew minds in the joy that should keep us going…