James innell packer12/28/2023 There are many Christians who say that believers who emphasize the sovereignty of grace and unconditional election do so to the neglect of human responsibility and divine accountability. Packer delivers a comprehensive, but still brief, explanation of the seemingly incompatible relationship between human responsibility in evangelism and God’s sovereignty in salvation. I think that every professing Christian should read this book, or (at the very least) those who go on mission trips/evangelistic outings. Perfect for new believers or those wanting encouragement in their evangelism-pick a copy up and read! The tempo is conversational and respectful of the reader, neither condescending nor scolding. I think the way in which Packer subconsciously addresses his readers is something to imitate. This makes for a book that is deeply pastoral and concerned about that the reader not come to tribal understandings about doctrine, but instead learn to place one's feet in a rich tapestry of biblical insight.įinally, Packer's deep and abiding confidence and resolve to educate and engage readers was felt throughout. Packer's is a gentle and generous spirit and this truly came through in the book. It seemed to push against the rhetoric today that can too often appear edgy, abrupt and lack generosity. What really stood out for me was Packer's prose which was both measured and winsome. Throughout the rest of the book, Packer unpacks God's sovereignty in evangelism, what evangelism is, and how we should go about it. Meanwhile, in practice, and on our knees, every man and women prays for God's sovereign hand in turning sinners to himself-the two ideas of human responsibility and God's sovereignty are not enemies to be reconciled, but true friends existing in antinomy. Packer is of the opinion that unending rationalistic speculation and an unease with the mystery of God's operations often clouds this so-called debate. Whilst readers might wish for a longer argument regarding man's responsibility and God's sovereignty, Packer provides a deft manoeuvre that highlights what's important in this heated discussion. Packer's brief but classic treatment on evangelism and the sovereignty of God. Packer’s clear and lucid teaching, and our faculty, staff and students celebrate the international recognition he rightly receives as a leading Christian thinker and teacher. Packer almost ten years ago, American theologian Mark Noll wrote in Christianity Today that, “Packer’s ability to address immensely important subjects in crisp, succinct sentences is one of the reasons why, both as an author and speaker, he has played such an important role among American evangelicals for four decades.”įor over 25 years Regent College students have been privileged to study under Dr. Packer’s seminal 1973 work, was lauded as a book which articulated shared beliefs for members of diverse denominations the TIME profile quotes Michael Cromartie of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington as saying, “conservative Methodists and Presbyterians and Baptists could all look to and say, ‘This sums it all up for us.’” “Mediating debates on everything from a particular Bible translation to the acceptability of free-flowing Pentecostal spirituality, Packer helps unify a community that could easily fall victim to its internal tensions.” Packer, the Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology at Regent College, was hailed by TIME as “a doctrinal Solomon” among Protestants. Packer, Billy Graham and Richard John Neuhaus have in common? Each was recently named by TIME magazine as among the 25 most influential evangelicals in America.ĭr.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |