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Taking God Seriously: Vital Things We Need to Know
Explaining the essentials of the faith, renowned theologian and author J. I. Packer outlines the core commitments that are common to those of us who profess belief in Jesus. Here is a call to discipleship in mere Christianity―the business of taking God seriously.
176 pages, Paperback
First published February 15, 2013
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287 people want to read
About the author
J.I. Packer
446 books926 followersWhat do J. I. 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.
Dr. Packer, the Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology at Regent College, was hailed by TIME as “a doctrinal Solomon” among Protestants. “Mediating debates on everything from a particular Bible translation to the acceptability of free-flowing Pentecostal spirituality, Packer helps unify a community [evangelicalism] that could easily fall victim to its internal tensions.”
Knowing God, 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 [Knowing God] and say, ‘This sums it all up for us.’”
In a similar tribute to Dr. 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.”
For over 25 years Regent College students have been privileged to study under Dr. 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.
(https://www.regent-college.edu/facult...)
Dr. Packer, the Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology at Regent College, was hailed by TIME as “a doctrinal Solomon” among Protestants. “Mediating debates on everything from a particular Bible translation to the acceptability of free-flowing Pentecostal spirituality, Packer helps unify a community [evangelicalism] that could easily fall victim to its internal tensions.”
Knowing God, 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 [Knowing God] and say, ‘This sums it all up for us.’”
In a similar tribute to Dr. 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.”
For over 25 years Regent College students have been privileged to study under Dr. 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.
(https://www.regent-college.edu/facult...)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
October 12, 2019
This is a great book, similar in some ways to J. Gresham Machen's Christianity and Liberalism (1923) except that it is written the context of events in the Anglican Communion rather than the Presbyterian Church. For a taste of this book, see the series of short videos Packer did in connection with this book at this link: https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=P...
May 7, 2013
A friend of mine asked, "Dude, are you really going to critique J.I. Packer?" He has a point. J.I. Packer is a giant of our time when it comes to Christian theology. His masterpiece Knowing God was one of the first books I read as a new believer in 1994 and shaped my faith immensely in those early years and impacts me today. There is no way that I am qualified to offer criticism to Packer's latest work Taking God Seriously but thankfully, unless him being Anglican bothers you, there isn't much I could say negatively about the book anyway. It is a must read for any Christian who is concerned at all with the current state of things in the worldwide church. Taking God Seriously is TIMELY, it is THEOLOGICAL, and it is THOROUGH.
First, it is timely. J.I. Packer has a lifetime of experience studying the Bible and theology as well as a vast knowledge of the trajectory of the church. His book hits the nail on the head and deals with the most current issues boiling over in most denominations in the 21st century. Taking God Seriously is a voice that the church needs right now. It's an important call and an urgent plea for the church to swim upstream instead of coasting downstream in the current of postmodern thought.
Second, it is theological. All you have to do is take one look at the chapter headings and it is clear what Dr. Packer has in mind when he says that we need to take God seriously. Taking God Seriously is deep but brief in it's approach and is broken down into the following eight chapters:
Taking Faith Seriously
Taking Doctrine Seriously
Taking Christian Unity Seriously
Taking Repentance Seriously
Taking the Church Seriously
Taking the Holy Spirit Seriously
Taking Baptism Seriously
Taking the Lord's Supper Seriously
Packer makes no bones about it, how seriously we take God in our lives is connected intricately to how seriously we take our own theology. We cannot please God and ignore theology. That is not an option.
Third, it is thorough. Packer leaves no stone unturned as he deals with everything from homosexual marriage to the way we view or own baptism personally. Although this book is a short book by theology standards, it covers everything it needs to cover and is very accessible to laymen as well as clergy.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who feels that they need to take God more seriously. I know that I need help constantly in this area and am sure I will refer back to this book for that guidance.
June 14, 2022
Disclaimer: I only listened to this one on Hoopla.
In this work, Packer acts to respond to errors and trends in the Anglican communion by returning to the Scriptures and historical Anglican beliefs. Therefore, understanding what Packer is often by implication writing against is vital to understanding the work. For context, the book was published in 2013. In 2002, Packer along with others stood up and walked out of the Anglican synod of the Discosse of New Westminster after it had voted to affirm homosexuality. In 2008, Packer helped to lead the church he was a pastor over into a more orthodox communion despite actions by other Canadian Anglicans against him. So in this context…
Packer focuses on the major distinctives of Biblical Christianity and in particular how they have been understood, defended, and bled for by Christians. While some of the elements here are certainly specific to Anglicanism, the majority would be held by all forms of the orthodox Christianity. Thus, in some sense the books fits into the category of Christianity and Liberalism as a work meant to make clear what are the beliefs of the sheep over against the goats. This said, Packer doesn’t spend a significant amount of time detailing error in comparison to Machen’s work. Packer does make implication to the fact that he and others having to establish new Anglican fellowships are either schismatics (like the Donatists of old) or like the Reformers (rightful standing up for the word of truth). Packer is content having stated what the Scriptures say and what Anglicans have historically believed to leave it to his readers to discern which of these two categories he falls into.
The reason I only give it 3 stars is because the work goes about addressing the issues in a round about manner by making largely positive affirmation toward Christianity and historical Anglicanism rather than calling a spade, a spade. This in addition to having to listen to Packer encourage Anglicans to take their own “baptism” more seriously (i.e. Packer is pulling a Paul in Romans 5 with the difference being that those in Rome have been baptized and hence can remember it unlike Packer’s constitutes). That said, I’d certainly recommend this work as always with Packer, that untimely born Puritan.
In this work, Packer acts to respond to errors and trends in the Anglican communion by returning to the Scriptures and historical Anglican beliefs. Therefore, understanding what Packer is often by implication writing against is vital to understanding the work. For context, the book was published in 2013. In 2002, Packer along with others stood up and walked out of the Anglican synod of the Discosse of New Westminster after it had voted to affirm homosexuality. In 2008, Packer helped to lead the church he was a pastor over into a more orthodox communion despite actions by other Canadian Anglicans against him. So in this context…
Packer focuses on the major distinctives of Biblical Christianity and in particular how they have been understood, defended, and bled for by Christians. While some of the elements here are certainly specific to Anglicanism, the majority would be held by all forms of the orthodox Christianity. Thus, in some sense the books fits into the category of Christianity and Liberalism as a work meant to make clear what are the beliefs of the sheep over against the goats. This said, Packer doesn’t spend a significant amount of time detailing error in comparison to Machen’s work. Packer does make implication to the fact that he and others having to establish new Anglican fellowships are either schismatics (like the Donatists of old) or like the Reformers (rightful standing up for the word of truth). Packer is content having stated what the Scriptures say and what Anglicans have historically believed to leave it to his readers to discern which of these two categories he falls into.
The reason I only give it 3 stars is because the work goes about addressing the issues in a round about manner by making largely positive affirmation toward Christianity and historical Anglicanism rather than calling a spade, a spade. This in addition to having to listen to Packer encourage Anglicans to take their own “baptism” more seriously (i.e. Packer is pulling a Paul in Romans 5 with the difference being that those in Rome have been baptized and hence can remember it unlike Packer’s constitutes). That said, I’d certainly recommend this work as always with Packer, that untimely born Puritan.
April 24, 2022
Moments of theological brilliance interspersed and often overshadowed by a confusing focus on denominationalism and the author's beliefs about how the church should respond to one specific sin. I was hoping for a modern "A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life" and got a parody instead.
December 13, 2016
I appreciate what JI Packer is trying to do in Taking God Seriously: Vital Things We Need to Know. I am concerned that many of the matters he addresses are often not taken seriously. Or, these topics at least don't receive the kind of thoughtful attention they deserve within the church, particularly in light of how much Scripture addresses the various issues that Packer takes up: faith, doctrine, Christian unity, repentance, the church, the Holy Spirit, baptism, and the Lord's Supper.
In that respect, I appreciated chapters on each of these topics with the specific intent of addressing them in a serious manner and with encouragements to treat them much more seriously than we do.
Unfortunately, I still found many of the chapters quite lacking. I read this book with a friend and had to qualify a lot of what Packer writes, disagree with him on many points, and even supplement one of his chapters (on the church) with a chapter from another book. Part of the problem is related to the fact that much of the book is written specifically to address Anglicanism, Packer's own denomination. On the other hand, I appreciate that Packer takes his denomination seriously enough to address real concerns and problems within that denomination. I learned quite a bit and it provided many talking points for my friend and I regarding different denominations. Still, the book is marketed much more broadly than it is written (though Packer does attempt to persuade readers of different denominations that the issues within Anglicanism are relevant for them).
The other problem is various inconsistencies within Packer's own thoughts, especially related to a more ecumenical bent and his views on baptism and Lord's Supper. I thought his chapter on Christian Unity was helpful on some points, but oddly contradictory in other points. I thought his chapters on the church, baptism and Lord's Supper were weak-- and his approach in showing the seriousness of these issues wasn't the best.
However, his chapters on faith, doctrine, repentance, and the Holy Spirit were all quite good!
I am glad I read this book with my friend. It provided a launching pad for fruitful conversations. But, while I may use it again in the future, I imagine there are better books out there that accomplish the same goal (showing the seriousness of various Christian topics). If nothing else, I'd rather take his chapter headings and find articles in various books that address each issue.
In that respect, I appreciated chapters on each of these topics with the specific intent of addressing them in a serious manner and with encouragements to treat them much more seriously than we do.
Unfortunately, I still found many of the chapters quite lacking. I read this book with a friend and had to qualify a lot of what Packer writes, disagree with him on many points, and even supplement one of his chapters (on the church) with a chapter from another book. Part of the problem is related to the fact that much of the book is written specifically to address Anglicanism, Packer's own denomination. On the other hand, I appreciate that Packer takes his denomination seriously enough to address real concerns and problems within that denomination. I learned quite a bit and it provided many talking points for my friend and I regarding different denominations. Still, the book is marketed much more broadly than it is written (though Packer does attempt to persuade readers of different denominations that the issues within Anglicanism are relevant for them).
The other problem is various inconsistencies within Packer's own thoughts, especially related to a more ecumenical bent and his views on baptism and Lord's Supper. I thought his chapter on Christian Unity was helpful on some points, but oddly contradictory in other points. I thought his chapters on the church, baptism and Lord's Supper were weak-- and his approach in showing the seriousness of these issues wasn't the best.
However, his chapters on faith, doctrine, repentance, and the Holy Spirit were all quite good!
I am glad I read this book with my friend. It provided a launching pad for fruitful conversations. But, while I may use it again in the future, I imagine there are better books out there that accomplish the same goal (showing the seriousness of various Christian topics). If nothing else, I'd rather take his chapter headings and find articles in various books that address each issue.
April 9, 2014
I have read several of J.I. Packers books previously and in each case enjoyed and found much to be gleaned from his works in the past. This book starts off looking largely at how the Anglican church got to where they are today and I was struck at how their story sounds so familiar to many other denominations and churches that claim no denominational affiliation. I really liked the manner in which he laid out their issues, failures, challenges and successes. After looking at those I would say he really picked up steam for me ending in what I will recommend as two extremely important chapters, Baptism and the Lord's supper respectively. I found myself nodding in agreement and taking stock of his comments as I read these final two chapters and can say in my opinion he definitely ended on a high note.
It is a pretty quick read and I would say I learned several things I had not heard before which will lead me to further investigation. One particular point I was struck by was a comment on the early church practice of waiting for 3 years of catechesis prior to being baptized and a week long wearing of white in honor of the occasion. Having transitioned from a non-denominational immersion only style of baptism of adults to an acceptance and endorsement of covenantal infant baptism in a covenant family through pouring I have a strong interest in understanding how we got where we are today in all the Baptismal traditions. Packers discussion was both historically informative and more importantly biblically based as he referenced the significance of the sacrament, or ordinance, of baptism.
It is a pretty quick read and I would say I learned several things I had not heard before which will lead me to further investigation. One particular point I was struck by was a comment on the early church practice of waiting for 3 years of catechesis prior to being baptized and a week long wearing of white in honor of the occasion. Having transitioned from a non-denominational immersion only style of baptism of adults to an acceptance and endorsement of covenantal infant baptism in a covenant family through pouring I have a strong interest in understanding how we got where we are today in all the Baptismal traditions. Packers discussion was both historically informative and more importantly biblically based as he referenced the significance of the sacrament, or ordinance, of baptism.
March 6, 2013
Renowned author J. I. Packer, in his latest book Taking God Seriously returns the reader back to the basics of the faith engaging a number of fundamental doctrinal and theological concepts that comprise the core elements of the Christian faith. Packer, in the tradition of other classics such as Basic Christianity by John Stott engages in a highly accessible manner the topics of faith, doctrine, Christian unity, repentance, Church, the Holy Spirit, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. While not an in-depth theological treatise on these various topics such as one might find in a Systematic Theology text, Packer nonetheless approaches each topic thoroughly and with great candor, affirming these doctrines as fundamental for all believers to take seriously.
In the first chapter, aptly called Taking Faith Seriously, Packer cogently outlines what faith is calling it a “two-tone reality, a response to God’s self-revelation in Christ that is both intellectual and relational. Mere credence – assent, that is, to “the faith” – is not faith, nor is commitment to God or a Christ who is merely a product of human imagination. Christian faith is shaped, and its nature is determined, entirely by its object, just as the impression on a seal is shaped entirely by a die-stamp that is pressed down on the hot wax.” Such a powerful statement sets the stage for his discussion on Scripture itself and why one can have faith in its validity and in the one who it reveals is the God we can rightly place our faith in. In bibliology or the doctrine of the Bible as it is otherwise known, Packer does an excellent job of providing the reader with a great mix of how the Bible was compiled, what it means when we say the Old and New Testament and most importantly, that Scripture is our authority on all matters.
The next aspect Packer address is theology, the study of God. He gives a brief yet apt overview of some aspects of God’s character spending most of his effort engaging the doctrine of the trinity which admittedly can be a confusing concept to grasp for most people. Packer does an excellent job of walking the reader through the idea of a triune God and how each member of the Godhead is God to include what they “do.” God’s Torah, His commandments to us is also discussed with Packer rightly noting the familial element of God’s commands to us, “family instruction, given with parental authority, goodwill, and concern for the family’s well-being.” Chapter One concludes with a brief yet informative discussion of how and why biblical doctrine has veered from its scriptural moorings, namely the influence of biblical criticism, evolutionary dogma, socialist ideals, and modern science that has sought to reject God as being of any importance.
Chapter Two engages the topic of just exactly what doctrine is and why anyone should care about not just studying it, but adhering to it as truth. To this end, Packer avers “Doctrine is not just a bundle of the church’s own ideas, thoughts, and dreams about God, but is a declaring of what God himself has shown and told us, inscripturating it in the Bible for all time.” Such a statement correctly positions doctrine as God’s revelation to man rather than the machinations or shifting sands of man’s opinion of how life should be. The gospel, the core message of biblical doctrine then is according to Packer rooted in the actions of Christ and his sacrifice on the cross.
Packer next rightly asks the question of who needs doctrine. Such a question may seem ridiculous to ask; however, given that biblical doctrine rooted in the truth of Scripture forms the foundation for how one should live, understanding the need for sound doctrine is indeed fundamental to the conversation. Packer correctly states “Doctrine is the map that guides us on our cross-country journeying through the thousand-odd pages of the Bible, on the one hand, and the complexities of godly living, on the other.” It is the source of wisdom, pointing the believer down the straight and narrow path of righteousness. It is essentially the lens by which one can ascertain how to love God and love others, actions which encapsulate all of life. This is not an easy task as Packer aptly notes the wide range of doctrinal matters. Scripture provides insight into a number of important issues, many of which Packer discusses such as the authority of the Bible, the reality of the Trinity, the sovereignty of God, the depravity of man, Jesus as Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit, and the Church. While certainly a thorough discussion of each of these topics individually would take volumes and years of study in their own right, Packer does provide a brief yet engaging discussion of each topic. He sticks to the basics of each issue providing the reader with a foundational understanding of these important doctrines.
The topic of Christian unity is the next topic Packer discusses wherein he focuses specifically on matters within the Anglican Church. With that said, dealing with issues such as homosexuality for instance is something that has impacted Protestant churches across the board. Packer rightly notes that Christian unity is not ecumenism or the sake of unity just to have unity. Conversely, it is a “togetherness of discerning thought, a matter of solidarity in perception of and belief in what is real and true.” Furthermore, it involves a passion for knowing God, active love founded in the “redemptive, life-transforming love of god to us, and a commitment to missional activity. Such things form the basis upon which all believers can rally around. Packer also addresses what it means to have unity of Spirit, something he notes involves one faith, one hope, one baptism, and one body rightly utilizing the words of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4 as the basis for this position. Perhaps most importantly, Packer notes Christian unity must always be founded in the truth of Scripture. Wandering outside the bounds of sound biblical doctrine just to achieve “unity” only serves the purpose of rejecting the standard of truth all believers should look to, namely that of God’s revealed word.
One of the most basic elements of the faith, at least what Packer proposes is the starting point, is that of repentance. This buzz word is thrown around in most churches without much thought as to what it actually means theologically and practically. Packer reminds the reader of the message of John the Baptist, that of “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Jesus also noted the importance of repentance to his disciples in Luke 24. Peter’s sermon on Pentecost noted the proper response to what God had spoken was to repent. Repentance is more than just repeating a prayer and then going about your business as if nothing happened. Packer correctly states “Repentance, in the broadest sense, signifies that change of mind, purpose, attitude, and behavior whereby we embrace God’s agenda of mercy towards us and turn back from the old life of fighting God by playing God to live the new life of humbly and thankfully serving him.” This is arguably the best definition of repentance this reviewer has read to date.
Taking the church seriously is the next element of the faith Packer addresses. A particular part of this chapter I enjoyed was Packer’s description of the church as the bride. This is an element of the faith believers desperately need to grasp as it properly places the grand biblical drama and our relationship with God in a proper focus. Understanding that as the body of Christ we are his bride, will only serve to help us understand how, as the bride we should relate to our bridegroom. While Packer discusses this topic, I certainly wish he had spent a bit more time analyzing this as it is a fundamental truth that would assist believers in understanding what the church truly is. The church is not an institution, it not buildings, and it is not programs. It is an assembly of people, the elect, who are the bride of Christ. As the bride, we have entered into a marriage contract with our bridegroom. The terms of that contract are outlined in Scripture. This betrothal marriage is a theme that runs throughout God’s word and it is something that would have made an excellent discussion in this chapter. Given we as the bride are currently in the time of preparation awaiting the return of our bridegroom, in order to fully take the idea of being the bride (the church) seriously, it would be relevant to understand what we are to be doing as the bride during this time.
Pentecost is an event in Scripture that is largely misunderstood by most believers. For many, it was when the “church” as an institution was established. Packer correctly notes this was when the Holy Spirit was provided to us in fulfillment of Jeremiah 31:31. While Packer states this was the beginning of the church, a concept I believe is a bit misguided in scope, he does correctly note “in God’s great scheme of salvation this was an epoch-making an event as the incarnation of the Son of God.” Unfortunately, most believers are unaware of exactly what Pentecost was, specifically as a feast of God and why the Holy Spirit was poured out in fulfillment of the Feast of Shavuot (Pentecost). While perhaps outside the overall scope of this book, a mention of that fact would have been helpful to understand why the Holy Spirit was poured out in the first place. Nevertheless, this chapter is replete with discussion as to a proper understanding of the Holy Spirit, something sorely lacking in the church today. Packer rightly reminds the reader that the Holy Spirit is a member of the Godhead. Most importantly, Packer outlines the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. First and foremost, the Holy Spirit “teaches us the truth about God.” He reveals or illumines God’s word to us. Second, he renews our hearts. Such a statement hearkens back to Psalm 19:7, a verse that speaks of God’s word being perfect, converting our nephesh, the very nature of who we are from being naïve to being wise. This happens through the power of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. Third, Packer notes the Holy Spirit works the process of sanctification in our lives, something that is certainly a lifelong event. Finally, the Holy Spirit conforms us little by little to be more like Christ.
Taking baptism seriously is next on the agenda for Packer. Right off the bat, Packer correctly notes what baptism is, namely that of a complete immersion into water. Going under water signifies “saying goodbye to the style of life one is renouncing and then coming up from under as a sign of starting a new life pattern.” The importance of baptism is seen in the Great Commission. Packer spends a great deal of time in this chapter discussing the sacramental aspect of baptism, something which may become a bit lost on the reader. With that said, Packer does spend an appropriate amount of time noting the theology of baptism, something which is of great importance. He notes “baptism was then to be the converts’ first step in the process of being discipled.” It also demonstrates as the Apostle Paul notes our union with Christ, our public pronouncement if you will of our identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Furthermore, baptism is more than just an event. It also should remind us of our identity in Christ, being sanctified by the blood of Christ, and the indebtedness to Christ that should be revealed in our loyalty to our bridegroom, all aspects Packer saliently discusses.
The final chapter engages taking the Lord’s Supper seriously, something Packer avers “deep down most of us simply don’t do”, an unfortunate yet realistic statement. While partaking of the Lord’s Supper constitutes a standard Sunday service routine for most churches, do we really as believers understand the significance of taking communion? Are we taking it for granted as just something we do? These are questions Packer answers with great insight. Communion should be a reminder of the reality of God. Packer states “God designates material objects (bread and wine) as spiritually significant signs, visible pointers to particular aspects of his invisible but potent action to bless us.” The bread and juice remind us of the broken body and shed blood of Christ. While it can be stated the meal described in the gospels was not specifically a Passover meal, the taking of the bread and juice at that event is a reminder for believers of what took place the following day, namely that of the sacrifice on our behalf of the perfect, spotless Passover Lamb of God. Packer aptly reminds the reader of the biblical message found in the taking of communion. The juice reminds us of the blood of the covenant, something that hearkens back to the time of Moses and what the sacrificial system foreshadowed. It would have been of some importance for Packer to have noted the marriage covenant aspect of communion. In the betrothal marriage process, the bride and bridegroom partake of a cup of juice signifying their acceptance of the bride price and the terms of the marriage contract. When we partake of communion, we are also being reminded of our acceptance of those contractual terms.
Taking God Seriously is a must read for pastors and layman alike. It is replete with relevant discussion of a number of key theological concepts that formulate the foundation of sound biblical doctrine. While at times, Packer engages matters specific to the Anglican Church to which he belongs, this book is nevertheless one which members of all Protestant denominations will find engaging and helpful. As noted earlier, this is not an exhaustive theological treatise on every aspect of doctrine. No book or series of books can arguably capture all the elements of Scripture. With that said, this book is well worth the read.
I received this for free from Crossway Publications for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
In the first chapter, aptly called Taking Faith Seriously, Packer cogently outlines what faith is calling it a “two-tone reality, a response to God’s self-revelation in Christ that is both intellectual and relational. Mere credence – assent, that is, to “the faith” – is not faith, nor is commitment to God or a Christ who is merely a product of human imagination. Christian faith is shaped, and its nature is determined, entirely by its object, just as the impression on a seal is shaped entirely by a die-stamp that is pressed down on the hot wax.” Such a powerful statement sets the stage for his discussion on Scripture itself and why one can have faith in its validity and in the one who it reveals is the God we can rightly place our faith in. In bibliology or the doctrine of the Bible as it is otherwise known, Packer does an excellent job of providing the reader with a great mix of how the Bible was compiled, what it means when we say the Old and New Testament and most importantly, that Scripture is our authority on all matters.
The next aspect Packer address is theology, the study of God. He gives a brief yet apt overview of some aspects of God’s character spending most of his effort engaging the doctrine of the trinity which admittedly can be a confusing concept to grasp for most people. Packer does an excellent job of walking the reader through the idea of a triune God and how each member of the Godhead is God to include what they “do.” God’s Torah, His commandments to us is also discussed with Packer rightly noting the familial element of God’s commands to us, “family instruction, given with parental authority, goodwill, and concern for the family’s well-being.” Chapter One concludes with a brief yet informative discussion of how and why biblical doctrine has veered from its scriptural moorings, namely the influence of biblical criticism, evolutionary dogma, socialist ideals, and modern science that has sought to reject God as being of any importance.
Chapter Two engages the topic of just exactly what doctrine is and why anyone should care about not just studying it, but adhering to it as truth. To this end, Packer avers “Doctrine is not just a bundle of the church’s own ideas, thoughts, and dreams about God, but is a declaring of what God himself has shown and told us, inscripturating it in the Bible for all time.” Such a statement correctly positions doctrine as God’s revelation to man rather than the machinations or shifting sands of man’s opinion of how life should be. The gospel, the core message of biblical doctrine then is according to Packer rooted in the actions of Christ and his sacrifice on the cross.
Packer next rightly asks the question of who needs doctrine. Such a question may seem ridiculous to ask; however, given that biblical doctrine rooted in the truth of Scripture forms the foundation for how one should live, understanding the need for sound doctrine is indeed fundamental to the conversation. Packer correctly states “Doctrine is the map that guides us on our cross-country journeying through the thousand-odd pages of the Bible, on the one hand, and the complexities of godly living, on the other.” It is the source of wisdom, pointing the believer down the straight and narrow path of righteousness. It is essentially the lens by which one can ascertain how to love God and love others, actions which encapsulate all of life. This is not an easy task as Packer aptly notes the wide range of doctrinal matters. Scripture provides insight into a number of important issues, many of which Packer discusses such as the authority of the Bible, the reality of the Trinity, the sovereignty of God, the depravity of man, Jesus as Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit, and the Church. While certainly a thorough discussion of each of these topics individually would take volumes and years of study in their own right, Packer does provide a brief yet engaging discussion of each topic. He sticks to the basics of each issue providing the reader with a foundational understanding of these important doctrines.
The topic of Christian unity is the next topic Packer discusses wherein he focuses specifically on matters within the Anglican Church. With that said, dealing with issues such as homosexuality for instance is something that has impacted Protestant churches across the board. Packer rightly notes that Christian unity is not ecumenism or the sake of unity just to have unity. Conversely, it is a “togetherness of discerning thought, a matter of solidarity in perception of and belief in what is real and true.” Furthermore, it involves a passion for knowing God, active love founded in the “redemptive, life-transforming love of god to us, and a commitment to missional activity. Such things form the basis upon which all believers can rally around. Packer also addresses what it means to have unity of Spirit, something he notes involves one faith, one hope, one baptism, and one body rightly utilizing the words of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4 as the basis for this position. Perhaps most importantly, Packer notes Christian unity must always be founded in the truth of Scripture. Wandering outside the bounds of sound biblical doctrine just to achieve “unity” only serves the purpose of rejecting the standard of truth all believers should look to, namely that of God’s revealed word.
One of the most basic elements of the faith, at least what Packer proposes is the starting point, is that of repentance. This buzz word is thrown around in most churches without much thought as to what it actually means theologically and practically. Packer reminds the reader of the message of John the Baptist, that of “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Jesus also noted the importance of repentance to his disciples in Luke 24. Peter’s sermon on Pentecost noted the proper response to what God had spoken was to repent. Repentance is more than just repeating a prayer and then going about your business as if nothing happened. Packer correctly states “Repentance, in the broadest sense, signifies that change of mind, purpose, attitude, and behavior whereby we embrace God’s agenda of mercy towards us and turn back from the old life of fighting God by playing God to live the new life of humbly and thankfully serving him.” This is arguably the best definition of repentance this reviewer has read to date.
Taking the church seriously is the next element of the faith Packer addresses. A particular part of this chapter I enjoyed was Packer’s description of the church as the bride. This is an element of the faith believers desperately need to grasp as it properly places the grand biblical drama and our relationship with God in a proper focus. Understanding that as the body of Christ we are his bride, will only serve to help us understand how, as the bride we should relate to our bridegroom. While Packer discusses this topic, I certainly wish he had spent a bit more time analyzing this as it is a fundamental truth that would assist believers in understanding what the church truly is. The church is not an institution, it not buildings, and it is not programs. It is an assembly of people, the elect, who are the bride of Christ. As the bride, we have entered into a marriage contract with our bridegroom. The terms of that contract are outlined in Scripture. This betrothal marriage is a theme that runs throughout God’s word and it is something that would have made an excellent discussion in this chapter. Given we as the bride are currently in the time of preparation awaiting the return of our bridegroom, in order to fully take the idea of being the bride (the church) seriously, it would be relevant to understand what we are to be doing as the bride during this time.
Pentecost is an event in Scripture that is largely misunderstood by most believers. For many, it was when the “church” as an institution was established. Packer correctly notes this was when the Holy Spirit was provided to us in fulfillment of Jeremiah 31:31. While Packer states this was the beginning of the church, a concept I believe is a bit misguided in scope, he does correctly note “in God’s great scheme of salvation this was an epoch-making an event as the incarnation of the Son of God.” Unfortunately, most believers are unaware of exactly what Pentecost was, specifically as a feast of God and why the Holy Spirit was poured out in fulfillment of the Feast of Shavuot (Pentecost). While perhaps outside the overall scope of this book, a mention of that fact would have been helpful to understand why the Holy Spirit was poured out in the first place. Nevertheless, this chapter is replete with discussion as to a proper understanding of the Holy Spirit, something sorely lacking in the church today. Packer rightly reminds the reader that the Holy Spirit is a member of the Godhead. Most importantly, Packer outlines the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. First and foremost, the Holy Spirit “teaches us the truth about God.” He reveals or illumines God’s word to us. Second, he renews our hearts. Such a statement hearkens back to Psalm 19:7, a verse that speaks of God’s word being perfect, converting our nephesh, the very nature of who we are from being naïve to being wise. This happens through the power of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. Third, Packer notes the Holy Spirit works the process of sanctification in our lives, something that is certainly a lifelong event. Finally, the Holy Spirit conforms us little by little to be more like Christ.
Taking baptism seriously is next on the agenda for Packer. Right off the bat, Packer correctly notes what baptism is, namely that of a complete immersion into water. Going under water signifies “saying goodbye to the style of life one is renouncing and then coming up from under as a sign of starting a new life pattern.” The importance of baptism is seen in the Great Commission. Packer spends a great deal of time in this chapter discussing the sacramental aspect of baptism, something which may become a bit lost on the reader. With that said, Packer does spend an appropriate amount of time noting the theology of baptism, something which is of great importance. He notes “baptism was then to be the converts’ first step in the process of being discipled.” It also demonstrates as the Apostle Paul notes our union with Christ, our public pronouncement if you will of our identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Furthermore, baptism is more than just an event. It also should remind us of our identity in Christ, being sanctified by the blood of Christ, and the indebtedness to Christ that should be revealed in our loyalty to our bridegroom, all aspects Packer saliently discusses.
The final chapter engages taking the Lord’s Supper seriously, something Packer avers “deep down most of us simply don’t do”, an unfortunate yet realistic statement. While partaking of the Lord’s Supper constitutes a standard Sunday service routine for most churches, do we really as believers understand the significance of taking communion? Are we taking it for granted as just something we do? These are questions Packer answers with great insight. Communion should be a reminder of the reality of God. Packer states “God designates material objects (bread and wine) as spiritually significant signs, visible pointers to particular aspects of his invisible but potent action to bless us.” The bread and juice remind us of the broken body and shed blood of Christ. While it can be stated the meal described in the gospels was not specifically a Passover meal, the taking of the bread and juice at that event is a reminder for believers of what took place the following day, namely that of the sacrifice on our behalf of the perfect, spotless Passover Lamb of God. Packer aptly reminds the reader of the biblical message found in the taking of communion. The juice reminds us of the blood of the covenant, something that hearkens back to the time of Moses and what the sacrificial system foreshadowed. It would have been of some importance for Packer to have noted the marriage covenant aspect of communion. In the betrothal marriage process, the bride and bridegroom partake of a cup of juice signifying their acceptance of the bride price and the terms of the marriage contract. When we partake of communion, we are also being reminded of our acceptance of those contractual terms.
Taking God Seriously is a must read for pastors and layman alike. It is replete with relevant discussion of a number of key theological concepts that formulate the foundation of sound biblical doctrine. While at times, Packer engages matters specific to the Anglican Church to which he belongs, this book is nevertheless one which members of all Protestant denominations will find engaging and helpful. As noted earlier, this is not an exhaustive theological treatise on every aspect of doctrine. No book or series of books can arguably capture all the elements of Scripture. With that said, this book is well worth the read.
I received this for free from Crossway Publications for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
February 26, 2020
This seemed like a very personal work for Packer as he attempted to make the case why his own denomination (Anglicanism) needed to re-dedicate themselves to taking God (and His Word) seriously. Although written as a call to his own ecclesiastical community, in typical Packer fashion, the author conveys deep truths in a relatable way making the volume helpful to every Christian who wants to learn (or review) the central issues of the faith.
July 13, 2023
I really enjoyed seeing Packer's Anglican perspective on things, because I know virtually nothing about the modern day Anglican church except for its liberalities. The book was very well written, and Packer's knowledge of Patristic theology is admirable. Overall, this was a well rounded book, equally edifying as it was admonishing.
December 24, 2019
J.I. Packer doing theology. Clear, important, easily understood yet not shallow. What more can one ask for? A brief book on the need for Christians to understand (learn and teach) the basics of their faith and to practice the fundamentals.
January 8, 2020
Packer, being an Anglican spoke at length about the Anglican Church and it's current affairs as context for taking God's word seriously.
He made many good points but was inconsistent in his logic at times, specifically regarding baptism and the Lord's supper.
He made many good points but was inconsistent in his logic at times, specifically regarding baptism and the Lord's supper.
December 18, 2020
Focus on basics while giving some thoughts to corrective attitudes. Helpful!
Well worth the read. Clear and precise. I think it would be a nice basic curriculum for new believers’ class.
Well worth the read. Clear and precise. I think it would be a nice basic curriculum for new believers’ class.
February 17, 2024
Packer is a pleasure to read and this little book of instruction (catechesis - as he puts it) is full of gems, even if you’re not an Anglican. I particularly enjoyed the many times he summarises so succinctly what it means to be a Christian (e.g. p61, p128).
January 3, 2019
读巴刻的书给人一种舒适和安心的感觉，是一个温和而坚定的人。
May 17, 2019
Not my favorite book by Packer but good for history and instruction regarding the sacrements.
February 4, 2021
A solid book but with a distinctly and unapologetically Anglican focus.
January 6, 2022
Audio Book - good overview of Christian truths that should be basic for most believers
March 22, 2023
Taking God seriously is a well thought out book. But he doesn’t stop there. Taking the whole of the Christian life and faith seriously. Loads of food for thought.
May 23, 2023
I found this book a very compelling book. I listened to it as an audio book. I have decided this is one I want for my library. It is a keeper. I need to read it again soon.
July 18, 2023
An earnest plea for 21st century Anglicanism (and by extension evangelicalism in general) to hold fast to faithful orthodoxy in the midst of the increasing popularity of progressive apostasy.
February 3, 2024
Straightforward little read, although helpful to get a reminder of the core principles. Also dovetails nicely with the reading on the future of Anglicanism.
May 20, 2013
The type of person for whom this book might be recommended is just the type of person to whom this book—and, to a degree, its author—might prove a stumblingblock. In many ways J.I. Packer is the very person I'd choose to help me teach basic doctrine. He's a fantastically clear writer who drives home sound, conservative doctrinal points. He knows Protestant theology well and communicates it even better.
But that's just it—his clarity on Protestant theology makes his apparent acceptance of Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox errors that much more liable to confuse people. I love and recommend other Packer books (Quest for Godliness, Knowing God, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, and who can forget The Collected Blurbs of J.I. Packer), but those books don't promote the same confusion.
In this book, for example, Packer glosses over the what he calls "partial" disagreements between Reformation and other churches. But he zeroes in on one disagreement that he regards with special seriousness: the debate over homosexuality. In chapter 3, Packer argues that the acceptance of homosexuality destroys Christian unity. but that had me wondering why it's Roman Catholic and evangelical disagreements over the Gospel don't get the same treatment. That topic is the one about which Paul pronounced an anathema (Gal. 1:8).
Chapter 5 reveals more than other chapters the genesis of this book, talks Packer gave to Anglicans in Canada. His discussion of Anglicanism and the Anglican episcopate is, on the one hand, a laudable example of taking doctrine seriously. But I still think that the kind of person to whom I might otherwise give this book doesn't need to hear about Anglican bishops and doesn't need to hear quite so much about the Anglican debate over homosexuality.
At the end of his discussion on homosexuality Packer brings up the possibility of separation, only to (mostly) dismiss the idea—without bringing up any Scripture passages. He didn't repeat Christ's advice to the church at Sardis, "Strengthen what remains" (though that's his position); and he didn't repeat Paul's command to the church at Thessalonica, "Withdraw from those who walk disorderly." If we're not going to mine Scripture for guidance with regard to professed Christians who accept homosexual unions, how much better are we than they? They're ignoring clear passages, and so is Packer.
There is interesting historical theology in the book, good material on baptism and the Lord's Supper. And I liked this quote in chapter 2: "All gifts are given to be used, and not to use them is to quench the spirit." But it's hard for me to imagine to whom I might recommend this book. It is, frankly, a little odd. It bears too strongly the marks of its origin in talks to Anglicans; I had trouble picking up a unifying thread.
Thanks to Christian audio for a review copy of this book.
But that's just it—his clarity on Protestant theology makes his apparent acceptance of Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox errors that much more liable to confuse people. I love and recommend other Packer books (Quest for Godliness, Knowing God, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, and who can forget The Collected Blurbs of J.I. Packer), but those books don't promote the same confusion.
In this book, for example, Packer glosses over the what he calls "partial" disagreements between Reformation and other churches. But he zeroes in on one disagreement that he regards with special seriousness: the debate over homosexuality. In chapter 3, Packer argues that the acceptance of homosexuality destroys Christian unity. but that had me wondering why it's Roman Catholic and evangelical disagreements over the Gospel don't get the same treatment. That topic is the one about which Paul pronounced an anathema (Gal. 1:8).
Chapter 5 reveals more than other chapters the genesis of this book, talks Packer gave to Anglicans in Canada. His discussion of Anglicanism and the Anglican episcopate is, on the one hand, a laudable example of taking doctrine seriously. But I still think that the kind of person to whom I might otherwise give this book doesn't need to hear about Anglican bishops and doesn't need to hear quite so much about the Anglican debate over homosexuality.
At the end of his discussion on homosexuality Packer brings up the possibility of separation, only to (mostly) dismiss the idea—without bringing up any Scripture passages. He didn't repeat Christ's advice to the church at Sardis, "Strengthen what remains" (though that's his position); and he didn't repeat Paul's command to the church at Thessalonica, "Withdraw from those who walk disorderly." If we're not going to mine Scripture for guidance with regard to professed Christians who accept homosexual unions, how much better are we than they? They're ignoring clear passages, and so is Packer.
There is interesting historical theology in the book, good material on baptism and the Lord's Supper. And I liked this quote in chapter 2: "All gifts are given to be used, and not to use them is to quench the spirit." But it's hard for me to imagine to whom I might recommend this book. It is, frankly, a little odd. It bears too strongly the marks of its origin in talks to Anglicans; I had trouble picking up a unifying thread.
Thanks to Christian audio for a review copy of this book.
April 3, 2013
Originally posted in angelroman.org
If you were raised in a denominational church (methodist, baptist, etc.) it is most likely that you are be familiarized with the terms used in this book. J.I. Packer is part of the Anglican Church, and in fact this book is a compendium of single works published in the past under the Anglican Agenda Series, but as Packer’s states in the preafce:
The questions after each chapter have an Anglican slant, but I do not think that Christians anywhere who take their Christian commitment seriously will find these questions unfruitful for meditation and discussion in their own neck of the woods.
Taking God Seriously is a journey through some basic topics in christian tradition and life. Packer develops each one of the topics very carefully (numbered below) giving concepts and theological insights through all the chapters.
Faith
Doctrine
Christian Unity
Repentance
Church
Holy Spirit
Baptism
Lord’s Supper
As christians we may recognize some of the topics on the list because of our “church life”, but in the other hand we may not know anything about them. Taking God Seriously is an excellent tool for those who want to know more about their christian roots at the same time they grow into their personal relationship with God.
There are two negatives for me about this book. The first one is the constant mention about the gay marriage topic almost in every chapter. Packer wants to make sure we really, really know he’s not agree with it. With this I’m not saying I’m agree with that subject in particular, but it takes the attention to what really matters. The second is Packer’s focus on the Book of Common Prayer above The Bible. I understand He’s teaching mostly to Anglicans, but it feels that there are more mentions about what the Book of Common Prayer says than what The Bible says.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book for free from Crossway for an honest review.
If you were raised in a denominational church (methodist, baptist, etc.) it is most likely that you are be familiarized with the terms used in this book. J.I. Packer is part of the Anglican Church, and in fact this book is a compendium of single works published in the past under the Anglican Agenda Series, but as Packer’s states in the preafce:
The questions after each chapter have an Anglican slant, but I do not think that Christians anywhere who take their Christian commitment seriously will find these questions unfruitful for meditation and discussion in their own neck of the woods.
Taking God Seriously is a journey through some basic topics in christian tradition and life. Packer develops each one of the topics very carefully (numbered below) giving concepts and theological insights through all the chapters.
Faith
Doctrine
Christian Unity
Repentance
Church
Holy Spirit
Baptism
Lord’s Supper
As christians we may recognize some of the topics on the list because of our “church life”, but in the other hand we may not know anything about them. Taking God Seriously is an excellent tool for those who want to know more about their christian roots at the same time they grow into their personal relationship with God.
There are two negatives for me about this book. The first one is the constant mention about the gay marriage topic almost in every chapter. Packer wants to make sure we really, really know he’s not agree with it. With this I’m not saying I’m agree with that subject in particular, but it takes the attention to what really matters. The second is Packer’s focus on the Book of Common Prayer above The Bible. I understand He’s teaching mostly to Anglicans, but it feels that there are more mentions about what the Book of Common Prayer says than what The Bible says.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book for free from Crossway for an honest review.
March 8, 2016
I really struggled to decide on a 3 or a 4 star rating. I've heard snippets of J.I. Packer before, but this is actually the first book of his I've ever read. The subject seemed pretty straight forward: Taking eight specific areas of the Christian faith seriously (faith, doctrine, unity, repentance, the church, the Holy Spirit, baptism, and the Lord's Supper). And to be clear, there was some very good stuff here.
Ultimately, there were two things that I found distracting. First, there seemed to be lengthy expositions on the Anglican Church, where Packer had spent his ministry up until acceptance of same sex marriage (I don't have all the details of what precisely happened). His experience and opinions on the Anglican Church are certainly important, but I found that it took him off topic at times.
Second, I just didn't much care for his writing style. It sometimes seemed to take him a dozen extra words to make a point. Now his writing isn't difficult or too technical for the lay person, he just seems to use superfluous words.
With that said, it was a good book that addressed topics of great importance to Christians. These are areas where I know I've slacked off at times, and we need to do better.
Ultimately, there were two things that I found distracting. First, there seemed to be lengthy expositions on the Anglican Church, where Packer had spent his ministry up until acceptance of same sex marriage (I don't have all the details of what precisely happened). His experience and opinions on the Anglican Church are certainly important, but I found that it took him off topic at times.
Second, I just didn't much care for his writing style. It sometimes seemed to take him a dozen extra words to make a point. Now his writing isn't difficult or too technical for the lay person, he just seems to use superfluous words.
With that said, it was a good book that addressed topics of great importance to Christians. These are areas where I know I've slacked off at times, and we need to do better.
April 3, 2013
Book Review: Taking God Seriously: Vital Things We Need to Know by J.I. Packer - there is good content, Packer is a good theologian. But the tone is off. He seems more interested in being against those that advocate for full adoption of gays into the Anglican communion than really working through the issues of catechesis. What in on task is good, but I think he has missed his audience.
My full review is at http://bookwi.se/taking-god-seriously...
My full review is at http://bookwi.se/taking-god-seriously...
July 29, 2014
J.I. does a great job pleading for the Christian Church to return and hold fast what is central to the faith in our preaching, teaching, living, and theology. It has made a profound impact on my life, and he truly is one of the most gifted writers. It's an easy to read, but very much a thought provoking book, calling you to reflect on upon the God of the Gospel.
May 9, 2013
My review here.
November 9, 2015
Absolutely fantastic. One of Packer's best yet. Will read again very soon.
February 13, 2016
Good.
Packer addresses the things that we view flippantly and graciously beats us back into proper thinking.
Packer addresses the things that we view flippantly and graciously beats us back into proper thinking.
March 30, 2016
Im not anglican so this was largely directly unapplicable
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