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Pointing to the Pasturelands: Reflections on Evangelicalism, Doctrine, & Culture
All theology is doxology.Anglican theologian J. I. Packer was one of the most widely respected Christian writers of the twentieth century. Author of over forty books and named one of the most influential evangelicals by Time magazine and the readers of Christianity Today, Packer's impact is immense. He was known for profound theological writing that was always lively and worshipful.Pointing to the Pasturelands recovers several decades of Packer's contributions to the pages of Christianity Today. This includes his editorial columns, longer articles, and brief answers to readers' theology questions. The book begins with an introduction by Russell D. Moore and concludes with a profile of Packer from Mark A. Noll. Enjoy timeless insights from a man whose life was devoted to knowing God and making him known.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 10, 2021
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About the author
J.I. Packer
446 books927 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 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 19, 2022
"See you in heaven, I hope."
Excellent. CT has put together a collection of Packer essays and columns on everything you can imagine including the question of post death conversions, humour, asceticism, C.S. Lewis, spirituality in a time of war, John Calvin, evangelical pragmatism, early 20th century jazz, mystery novels, the charismatic movement, Roman Catholicism, and his love for Ecclesiastes. Classic J.I. Packer.
Excellent. CT has put together a collection of Packer essays and columns on everything you can imagine including the question of post death conversions, humour, asceticism, C.S. Lewis, spirituality in a time of war, John Calvin, evangelical pragmatism, early 20th century jazz, mystery novels, the charismatic movement, Roman Catholicism, and his love for Ecclesiastes. Classic J.I. Packer.
January 11, 2022
Where can you find the best writing from someone who truly knew God? In Pointing to the Pasturelands, Lexham Press presents reflections on evangelicalism, doctrine, and culture from J. I. Packer. This new edition in the “Best of Christianity Today” series is a treasure.
Columns, Articles, and Answers
After an excellent foreword by Russell Moore, the book is divided into three parts. The first third are Packer’s columns -- short, pithy, and profound. The middle section are Packer’s articles, and they are substantive without compromising his compelling voice. The book ends with a section titled Good Questions, where Packer answers reader inquiries about the Bible, doctrine, and the Christian life. He is approachable and articulate. The book was a pleasure to read; I couldn’t put it down.
What I most appreciate are the ways that Packer’s personality gets through in his writing. He is bright and humble. He is kindly wise. And he clearly knows God. It is astounding to see this come across in his writing.
Faith and the World
What most interested me was the way Packer is able to write about a variety of subjects. In one section, he says that he is an “accidental” and an “odd” writer. He says he has a narrow writing range. But in these selections, he writes about a variety of topics including music and medicine, humor and heaven. He knows how to reconcile our faith to the realities of this world.
As someone with an interest in reading and writing, I felt like I was learning from a master at the top of his craft. From the titles of his columns (”It’s Wrong to Eat People”) to the style of his writing (”Fan Mail to Calvin”) -- this is a tour-de-force of the written word. And better yet -- it is revealing in how he communicates Christ.
Truth and Wisdom
The book concludes with Packer reflecting on the happy surprises in his life -- the way that he sees God arranging and ordering his days. It made him grateful and glad in God, and I found it to be characteristic throughout the writings of this Calvinist, Anglican, and Evangelical.
Early on in the book, Packer says that he wants to be remembered as a voice -- “a voice that called people back to old paths of truth and wisdom.” Undoubtedly, he had John the Baptist in mind. Packer’s voice is still crying out in the wilderness of this world. Come hear him now -- he will help you see Christ.
I received a media copy of Pointing to the Pasturelands and this is my honest review.
Columns, Articles, and Answers
After an excellent foreword by Russell Moore, the book is divided into three parts. The first third are Packer’s columns -- short, pithy, and profound. The middle section are Packer’s articles, and they are substantive without compromising his compelling voice. The book ends with a section titled Good Questions, where Packer answers reader inquiries about the Bible, doctrine, and the Christian life. He is approachable and articulate. The book was a pleasure to read; I couldn’t put it down.
What I most appreciate are the ways that Packer’s personality gets through in his writing. He is bright and humble. He is kindly wise. And he clearly knows God. It is astounding to see this come across in his writing.
Faith and the World
What most interested me was the way Packer is able to write about a variety of subjects. In one section, he says that he is an “accidental” and an “odd” writer. He says he has a narrow writing range. But in these selections, he writes about a variety of topics including music and medicine, humor and heaven. He knows how to reconcile our faith to the realities of this world.
As someone with an interest in reading and writing, I felt like I was learning from a master at the top of his craft. From the titles of his columns (”It’s Wrong to Eat People”) to the style of his writing (”Fan Mail to Calvin”) -- this is a tour-de-force of the written word. And better yet -- it is revealing in how he communicates Christ.
Truth and Wisdom
The book concludes with Packer reflecting on the happy surprises in his life -- the way that he sees God arranging and ordering his days. It made him grateful and glad in God, and I found it to be characteristic throughout the writings of this Calvinist, Anglican, and Evangelical.
Early on in the book, Packer says that he wants to be remembered as a voice -- “a voice that called people back to old paths of truth and wisdom.” Undoubtedly, he had John the Baptist in mind. Packer’s voice is still crying out in the wilderness of this world. Come hear him now -- he will help you see Christ.
I received a media copy of Pointing to the Pasturelands and this is my honest review.
December 14, 2021
I enjoyed this collection of writings from Packer.
July 15, 2025
A great little collection of articles by J. I. Packer from Christianity Today. Even if you don’t end up agreeing with him on all points, these are still very thought provoking.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews