J.I. Packer

I have come to appreciate J.I. Packer very deeply.  He thinks clearly and Biblically.  But he does more than quote a lot of Scripture; he consistently brings a thoughtful, loving consideration to relevant topics from a mature, Biblical perspective.  He offers real depth, not as one trying to be deep, but simply as one persistently applying God’s truth to our lives – individual and corporate, all that we might be built up to maturity in Christ.  He writes from a consciously God-centered foundation, and he encourages us to focus our own perspectives by the God-centered light of the Word (i.e. opening chapter of Keep in Step).  Supremely helpful, he speaks the truth in love.

Knowing God

Evangelism & the Sovereignty of God

Keep in Step with the Spirit (1984)

“becoming mature in Christ depends directly on learning to think in terms of biblical truths and values” (2005 Preface, pg. 10)

In his preface to the 2005 reprinting, Packer explains both the context from which the book originated and his belief in its continuing relevance by summarizing four aims: “(1) restate the Christ-centeredness of the Holy Spirit’s new covenant ministry, … (2) reaffirm the biblical call to holiness … (3) assess the charismatic movement and its claims even-handedly… and (4) show that in any case the charismatic vision falls short of the fullness of revival according to the Scriptures” (p. 11).

So, obviously, he was writing in response to circumstances which may or may not be familiar to us.  But experience is a natural and appropriate catalyst, since we are all called to deal with the real people and situations around us.  A desire to speak timeless truths into a temporary context has produced many great books (e.g. Religious Affections).  So, when reading (especially chapters 4-6) it helps to keep in mind that Packer was intentionally countering some views that might not be in our own background.  But the truth underneath his perspectives and the wisdom with which he handles the controversies assure the book of continuing relevance.

Some chapters may be more directly devotional than others: go deep there.  But I also encourage you to learn from the history and critique of other chapters, and observe how one serving leader can defend and teach the truth in a way that sincerely seeks the best interest of all (cf. 2 Timothy 2:24-25).  Consider the wisdom and maturity comes at the end of chapter four (p. 137), where he highly compliments Charles Wesley and quotes him to sum up the devotional aim of this chapter, which consists largely in critiquing views that the Wesleys either advanced themselves or inadvertently catalyzed.  Here is my breakdown of the chapters; it helps me to keep the whole book in focus:

1. “Getting the Spirit in Focus” – states aim and design of the book (that we would see by light of Scripture what the Holy Spirit’s ministry to believers really is about and how He usually effects it); identifies 4 incomplete views of the Spirit’s ministry and offers instead the basic principle that the Holy Spirit’s new covenant ministry essentially consists in mediating Christ’s presence to believers – “that is, to give them such knowledge of his presence with them as their Savior, Lord, and God – that three things keep happening” … (1) personal fellowship with Jesus, (2) personal transformation of character into Jesus’ likeness, and (3) certainty of being loved, redeemed and adopted by God. (taken from page 43).

2. “The Holy Spirit in the Bible” – exposition of Who the Spirit is and what His role is, taken from Scripture.  “[H]is role and his joy is to further our fellowship with them [that is, the Father and the Son] both by glorifying
the Son as the object for our faith and then witnessing to our adoption through the Son into the Father’s family” (p. 77).

3. “Mapping the Spirit’s Path:  the Way of Holiness” – Biblical basics on the profound importance of holiness – the distinguishing characteristic of those God transforms in order that His glory might be rightly shown through them.

I found these first three chapters very compelling and devotional.  Their subjects bring great weight directly to our personal relationship with God.  The next three chapters primarily offer a different kind of helpfulness, though not devoid of devotion.  In them Packer explains and evaluates divergent views of holiness, the Spirit’s role and His normal operations in believers.

4. “Mapping the Spirit’s Path:  Versions of Holiness” – evaluates several views of holiness, appreciates strengths, critiques weaknesses
5. “Mapping the Spirit’s Path:  the Charismatic Life” – sets the charismatic movement in historical context, identifies its distinctives and offers evaluation, positive and negative
6. “Mapping the Spirit’s Path:  Interpreting the Charismatic Life” -

7. “Come, Holy Spirit” -
8. “Heaven on Earth” -

Guard Us, Guide Us

At least two new books by J.I. Packer and Carolyn Nystrom are set for release in 2009.