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Hot Tub Religion: Christian Living in a Materialistic World
A timely and practical collection of essays and thoughts on contemporary Christian living from a concerned theologian.
246 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 1987
About the author
J.I. Packer
451 books949 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 25, 2024
Renowned theologian writes in earnest about the woes of modern Christianity and entitles the work 'Hot Tub Religion' - five stars. The book is also pretty good.
September 24, 2020
When I heard the title of this book in a recent obituary of Packer, I could not resist picking it up. And I couldn’t be more glad and encouraged that I did. A compilation of essays and articles written in the late 70s and 80s, Packer’s words couldn’t be more relevant for our day in 2020. Take for instance this thought on the “basic Christian relationship” with God: “Knowing that God is on the throne upholds one under pressure and in the face of bewilderment, pain, hostility, and events that seem not to make sense. It is a supportive truth for believers, and it is the first element or ingredient in the holiness of God.” (p. 55). Couldn’t be more relevant, could it?
Packer explores a variety of Christian living topics in very accessible thoughts and language, gradually entering into more specific topics, starting with the character of God and our relationship with him, ending with definitions of renewal and reformation. Each chapter was full of scripture, to the point that Packer often found no reason other than to quote the Word in full. I’d commend this quick read to any Christian seeking direction in this confusing world. I’ll let you read the book to find out what “Hot Tub Religion” is. I think you’ll agree that such a religion is alive and well today.
Packer explores a variety of Christian living topics in very accessible thoughts and language, gradually entering into more specific topics, starting with the character of God and our relationship with him, ending with definitions of renewal and reformation. Each chapter was full of scripture, to the point that Packer often found no reason other than to quote the Word in full. I’d commend this quick read to any Christian seeking direction in this confusing world. I’ll let you read the book to find out what “Hot Tub Religion” is. I think you’ll agree that such a religion is alive and well today.
March 27, 2021
Wonderful insight and thought-provoking statements that left me 'chewing' on the text long after I read it.
December 17, 2015
I read this as part of a lunch discussion group with other people at my church. One plus from this book is that the issues Packer discusses have not gone away. But one minus is that since they haven't gone away, the arguments he makes have been presented better by others in the last thirty years.
December 14, 2023
"Hot Tub Religion" by J.I. Packer was published in 1987. Packer writes like a combination of learned theologian and close fatherly figure.
What is essential, Packer argues, is that Christians reorient themselves to a Christian worldview rather than a worldly one, relearn the truth, primacy and inerrancy of Scripture, and understand that reformation is needed now just as it was in centuries past. Below is a quick summary of each chapter:
1- The purpose of the book and why, as a theologian, Packer sees need for re-education in Christendom.
2- God has a plan, your life has a purpose, and Christianity is about trusting in God's sovereignty even if you don't understand it.
3- What our relationship with God should be like. We should approach God with gratitude and reverence, not on occasion for requests when we feel we've run out of secular options.
4- "Hotbtub religion" is modern, pandering religion found in many churches today. It panders completely to the trends and fashions of culture, and willfully misinterprets or ignores scripture it doesn't like for the sake of a "progressive" agenda.
5- Differentiate between your own ambitions/hopes/biases, and listen to what God is really saying to you.
6- Happiness is a temporary short term emotion, but Joy is a permanent state of mind which can be accessed only through Jesus.
7- The Bible should be read very regularly, ideally daily, to constantly convict and shape us into better people as we model ourselves on Christ.
8- Beware the snakes and vipers who think that illness, disability or neurodiversity is down to "poor faith". The bible is explicitly clear that some of God's finest servants had many ailments.
9- How God can reach you in your lowest moments of despair and depression. Again, your despair is nothing to do with your faith. Offer your suffering to the Lord and He will reach you.
10- The Reformation is about inward renewal that sparks outward changes. We need reformation now just as we did in the past. The idols of our age are not statues of wood but poisonous ideologies and only reformation and refreshed commitment to the Bible can remedy modern ambiguities.
I wholeheartedly recommend reading and rereading this book.
What is essential, Packer argues, is that Christians reorient themselves to a Christian worldview rather than a worldly one, relearn the truth, primacy and inerrancy of Scripture, and understand that reformation is needed now just as it was in centuries past. Below is a quick summary of each chapter:
1- The purpose of the book and why, as a theologian, Packer sees need for re-education in Christendom.
2- God has a plan, your life has a purpose, and Christianity is about trusting in God's sovereignty even if you don't understand it.
3- What our relationship with God should be like. We should approach God with gratitude and reverence, not on occasion for requests when we feel we've run out of secular options.
4- "Hotbtub religion" is modern, pandering religion found in many churches today. It panders completely to the trends and fashions of culture, and willfully misinterprets or ignores scripture it doesn't like for the sake of a "progressive" agenda.
5- Differentiate between your own ambitions/hopes/biases, and listen to what God is really saying to you.
6- Happiness is a temporary short term emotion, but Joy is a permanent state of mind which can be accessed only through Jesus.
7- The Bible should be read very regularly, ideally daily, to constantly convict and shape us into better people as we model ourselves on Christ.
8- Beware the snakes and vipers who think that illness, disability or neurodiversity is down to "poor faith". The bible is explicitly clear that some of God's finest servants had many ailments.
9- How God can reach you in your lowest moments of despair and depression. Again, your despair is nothing to do with your faith. Offer your suffering to the Lord and He will reach you.
10- The Reformation is about inward renewal that sparks outward changes. We need reformation now just as we did in the past. The idols of our age are not statues of wood but poisonous ideologies and only reformation and refreshed commitment to the Bible can remedy modern ambiguities.
I wholeheartedly recommend reading and rereading this book.
March 10, 2022
This is a nice little book which strongly and movingly tells and lays out the basic and foundational truths of Christianity and how we have slipped away from them. Packer keeps things moving with his shear writing talent, naturally mixing history, antidotes and biography stories into the mix. This is really very basic stuff, and for the most part covers things fairly lightly, but with his knack for connecting to the reader. He nicely covers things like "What Is A Reformation?," "The Basic Plan Of God," "Meeting God" and others which he somehow manages to bring something new to. The second half of the book tapers some with a suddenly and surprisingly long-winded chapter on Joy and a so-so chapter on healing and health. The best chapter here though might just be his opening chapter entitled, "Danger! Theologian At Work," in which he even slips a little humor into the mix. Packer even brought new insight into the often written about passage of Isaiah 6, showing that when Isaiah said, "Here I am, send me," he was actually erring, thinking that he could count on success in God's service. Packer brings insight into other unlikely areas like "Guidance from God," and "Depression," powerfully using the story of the road to Emmaus to great benefit.
January 25, 2020
I have to say that is an interesting little book and I enjoyed reading it. I found myself slowing down constantly, wanting to take in what Packer was writing.
You might think that this book is something of an attack upon contemporary Christianity, given the title. If so, it is one of the most irenic attacks I have ever seen. The author does see a lot wrong with the evangelical movement, but this book is not a rebuke, it is a corrective.
The writer speaks about key areas where he sees a need for a change in the church in general and Christians in particular. His chapter “Hot Tub Religion” has a subtitle of “Toward a Theology of Pleasure.” I found it very similar to the idea articulated by John Piper in what he calls “Christian hedonism.” The author gives the best definition of Joy I have ever encountered and comments, “Joy is like jam. You get it on yourself when you spread it!”
In a very broad sense this book is a series of chapters on the disciplines of the Christian life. There are more than a few good sermon ideas here as well as an illustration or two. I am glad that I read this book.
You might think that this book is something of an attack upon contemporary Christianity, given the title. If so, it is one of the most irenic attacks I have ever seen. The author does see a lot wrong with the evangelical movement, but this book is not a rebuke, it is a corrective.
The writer speaks about key areas where he sees a need for a change in the church in general and Christians in particular. His chapter “Hot Tub Religion” has a subtitle of “Toward a Theology of Pleasure.” I found it very similar to the idea articulated by John Piper in what he calls “Christian hedonism.” The author gives the best definition of Joy I have ever encountered and comments, “Joy is like jam. You get it on yourself when you spread it!”
In a very broad sense this book is a series of chapters on the disciplines of the Christian life. There are more than a few good sermon ideas here as well as an illustration or two. I am glad that I read this book.
April 19, 2026
What an unusual name for a classic book. Classic Packer. The title comes from the relaxation and just floating along while recovering benefits without the work. The book contains what the Church should be doing and how we are not doing it. There is much listed of what we have done calling it God, rather than being obedient to His Word. As a reminder this was written in 1987. He aims for renewal and reformation and shows how we can achieve that. Not by relying of human inventions like second blessings but on Christ Alone.
January 28, 2024
A collection of fairly disconnected essays. It was generally okay, until the last two chapters, where Packer all but decries exercise and diets as heretical fads, and dismisses depression as basically an attitude. His broader points are obscured by his dismissive phrasing. I cannot recommend.
December 2, 2020
Sadly, not a prequel to "Hot Tub Time Machine." But still quite good.
November 30, 2021
An engaging, inviting, and convicting book by Packer. I never expected him to have written a book by this title, but I found it extremely helpful, particularly chapters 3, 4, and 7.
July 20, 2014
I love the book Knowing God by Packer, and this book is also good soul food. It turns my thoughts God-ward, and challenges my love of comfort and familiarity and any reticence hidden in my heart to take the gospel seriously. Packer says that theologians should be thought of as "the church's sewage specialists. Their role is to detect and eliminate intellectual pollution, and to ensure, so far as man can, that God's life-giving truth flows pure and unpoisoned into Christian hearts." Packer makes good theology approachable and applicable, and even though he wrote it in the 1980's, his thoughts and warnings still speak the truth into our lives today.
August 1, 2011
More than just an expose' of how worldly attitudes have invaded the Church at large (especially telling since it was written 25 years ago), Packer also covers a range of practical areas in a very helpful manner, for example: guidance, joy, sanctification, depression, and a Biblically balanced view of healing. Highly recommended.
September 8, 2016
I think the odd title is perhaps the reason this book isn't more widely known and read. It is classic Packer. Chapter Two (The Plan of God) is worth the price of the book.
March 25, 2024
I found this book enormously helpful reading as a Christian back when i was in college. i have read several other books by Packer, but this is one of my favorites.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews