"Collected writings on the Trinity, Christ, and the Holy Spirit"
In this collection of writings from one of the most well-known theologians of the modern era, Packer strongly defends Trinitarian theology and the uniqueness of Jesus Christ against contemporary challenges. In so doing, he deals with theological issues such as atonement, justification and universalism. He calls for believers to be serious about the Holy Spirit, and his articles on this topic are valuable examples of how to apply theological beliefs to controversial issues within the church.
The articles range from short devotional pieces published in church-sponsored journals, to opinion articles for popular journals like Christianity Today, to major articles for scholarly journals.
Contents
Foreword
1. The Trinity and the Gospel
2. On Covenant Theology
3. Jesus Christ the Lord
4. Jesus Christ: the Only Saviour
5. The Lamb Upon His Throne
6. A Modern View of Jesus
7. The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ
8. What Did the Cross Achieve?
9. Sacrifice and Satisfaction
10. Justification: Introductory Essay
11. The Love of God: Universal and Particular
12. Good Pagans and God's Kingdom
13. The Problem of Universalism Today
14. Evangelicals and the Way of Salvation
15. An Agenda for Theology
16. Shy Sovereign
17. On Being Serious About the Holy Spirit
18. The Spirit and His Work

John Calvin, a beacon for the Puritans, receives considerable attention in this volume of Puritan Papers. J. I. Packer contributes a chapter on Calvin as "a servant of the Word." Others treat Calvin the man, his doctrine of God, the Institutes, and sixteenth-century Geneva. These papers were originally presented on the 400th anniversary of Calvin's death. Other biographical chapters feature George Whitefield and Charles Haddon Spurgeon. In addition, Packer writes on the Puritan approach to worship, Jain Murray on "things indifferent, " and D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Owen's view of schism.

Among the 11 papers are biographies of Johy Wycliffe and Joseph Alleine, studies of the Puritans on eschatology and justification, and two articles on Arminianism.

16 Papers on Puritan views of divine communication, catechisms, and spiritual gifts. Biographical chapters on Zwingli, Luther, Cranmer, Knox, Heywood, Kuyper, Rowlan, and others.

Authors survey evnagelical statements of faith produced since 1950, including the Lausanne Covenant (1974), the Manila Manifesto (1989), the Gospel of Jesus Christ: An Evangelical Celebration (1999) and The Amsterdam Declaration (2000). They show that there is a significant consensus around the central tenets of the Christian faith. Addresses the current need to clarify evangelical identity. Exposes the fallacy that evangelicalism is hopelessly fragmented. Provides the foundations for a theological unity celebrated throughout the church universal. Cites more than 75 documents of evangelicalism. Charts sixteen different theological themes. Written by two prominent evangelical statesmen representing the two main theological branches of Protestantism.

Many approaches for interpreting the Bible have been put forth in recent years. All have their strengths--and their weaknesses. The Act of Bible Reading combines the strengths of several of these approaches into one volume which will enrich our reading of the Bible. Gordon Fee and Elmer Dyck discuss history and canon, respectively, as contexts for interpretation, highlighting the importance of historical-grammatical interpretation within a canonical setting for understanding biblical texts. J. I. Packer explores the importance of theology, both as it informs and as it safeguards Bible reading. Craig M. Gay proffers key insights from sociology, especially the sociology of knowledge, as it cautions us to ask not only what the text says, but who says it says that and why should we believe what they are telling us it says. Facing the challenges of modern secular hermeneutics from Heidigger and Nietzsche to Derrida and Foucault, Loren Wilkinson counters the postmodern reaction against truth. James Houston argues that the aim of Bible reading must be godliness and not mere scholarship. And Eugene Peterson then responds to the collection of insights as a whole. For readers who want to take the next steps in understanding the Bible for themselves, here is here is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to benefit from the combined insight of a distinguished group of teachers.

Deeply Engage in Christian Doctrine with This Expanded Edition of the ESV Systematic Theology Study Bible - Theology Rooted In The Word Of God.

Theology should, first and foremost, be rooted in God’s Word. To develop a solid understanding of God, humanity, sin, salvation, and eternity, the ESV Systematic Theology Study Bible explores the doctrines of the Christian faith and how they arise from the pages of Scripture.

In this expanded edition, notes from the ESV Student Study Bible provide additional insight into the biblical text and make studying systematic theology easier than ever. Over 400 in-text mini-articles connect Christian beliefs to specific Bible passages, 25 articles explain important theological topics in greater depth, and introductions highlight the unique ways each book contributes to the whole of Christian theology. This resource will help Christians better connect what they believe about God with the very words of Scripture, strengthening their confidence in the truths of his Word.

• In-Depth Study Resource: Engages readers with the important doctrines of the Christian faith and its connections to Scripture
• Expanded Edition: Additional notes from the ESV Student Study Bible provide further explanation of the text
• Helpful Tools: Over 400 in-text summaries, 25 articles, book introductions, 12,000 study notes, an index of doctrines, sidebars, and more
• Thoroughly Developed: Created by a team of 26 editors and contributors
• 8-point type size

Features:

• Book Introductions
• Double-column format
• 400+ Doctrinal sidebars
• Footnotes
• 25+ articles on key theological topics
• Cross-references
• 12000 Study notes
• Ribbon marker

KNOWING GOD is one of the most significant and popular Christian books of our time and has deepened the faith and understanding of millions of people around the world.

For more than 30 years, J.I Packer's classic book has revealed to well over a million readers the wonder, glory and the joy of knowing God.

Dostoyevsky's deepest, most compelling passages in one volume The Gospel in Dostoyevsky vividly reveals - as none of his novels can on their own - the common thread of the great God-haunted Russian's questioning faith. Drawn from The Brothers Karamazov, The Idiot, Crime and Punishment, and The Adolescent, the seventeen selections are each prefaced by an explanatory note. Newcomers will find in these pages a rich, accessible sampling. Dostoyevsky devotees will be pleased to find some of the writer's deepest, most compelling passages in one volume. Full-page woodcuts by master engraver Fritz Eichenberg enhance the book.

Confused, angry, and hurt after the death of his father, a young R. C. Sproul began his personal search for ultimate truth with these piercing questions: Who are you, God? And why do you do the things you do? In Enjoying God, readers journey with R. C. Sproul to discover the attributes of God through the questions many of us have asked: Where are you, God? Can I trust you, God? and more. In this warm, personal account, Dr. Sproul communicates deep truths in a fresh and easy-to-understand style as he shares his passion to know God and urges the reader to dig deep and seek the God who is alive, who is real, and who loves each one of us.

'How can we turn our knowledge about God into knowledge of God? The rule for doing so is simple but demanding. It is that we turn each truth that we learn about God into matter for mediation before God, leading to prayer and praise to God. 'Knowing God is a more complex business than knowing another person. If we spend the rest of our lives at it, there will still be more to comprehend. But the marvel of it is that God's riches are opened up to us to explore.' J. I. Packer Join J. I. Packer on a year of discovery. Using excerpts from his bestselling book Knowing God, each day you'll read a Scripture and a brief passage from Knowing God. There are ideas for prayer and reflection to help you respond to God as you journey into knowing him more. There is no greater adventure.

"Ryken's Worldly Saints offers a fine introduction to seventeenth-century Puritanism in its English and American contexts. The work is rich in quotations from Puritan worthies and is ideally suited to general readers who have not delved widely into Puritan literature. It will also be a source of information and inspiration to those who seek a clearer understanding of the Puritan roots of American Christianity." -Harry Stout, Yale University " the typical Puritans were not wild men, fierce and freaky, religious fanatics and social extremists, but sober, conscientious, and cultured citizens, persons of principle, determined and disciplined excelling in the domestic virtues, and with no obvious shortcomings save a tendency to run to words when saying anything important, whether to God or to a man. At last the record has been put straight." -J.I. Packer, Regent College "Worldly Saints provides a revealing treasury of primary and secondary evidence for understanding the Puritans, who they were, what they believed, and how they acted. This is a book of value and interest for scholars and students, clergy and laity alike." -Roland Mushat Frye, University of Pennsylvania "A very persuasive...most interesting book...stuffed with quotations from Puritan sources, almost to the point of making it a mini-anthology." -Publishers Weekly "With Worldly Saints, Christians of all persuasions have a tool that provides ready access to the vast treasures of Puritan thought." -Christianity Today "Ryken writes with a vigor and enthusiasm that makes delightful reading-never a dull moment." -Fides et Historia "Worldly Saints provides a valuable picture of Puritan life and values. It should be useful for general readers as well as for students of history and literature." -Christianity and Literature"

Why does the church teach? And what should it teach? In recent years, traditional Sunday school and education programs have declined in influence and effectiveness. Education in the church is often sidelined by other competing priorities, and our efforts become haphazard and random. As a result, many Christians have not learned the fundamental doctrinal content of the faith. As a response, a growing number of church ministries have moved toward an emphasis on Christian spiritual formation. But churches must hold together education and formation, the teaching of the faith and the forming of the faithful. In this comprehensive text, Gary Parrett and Steve Kang attend to both the content and process of educational and formational ministries. They set forth a thoroughly biblical vision for intentional teaching of the Christian faith, with a holistic concern for what and whom is taught as well as how and why. Fully apprised of developments in educational theory and pedagogy, Parrett and Kang propose a core curriculum for recovering the full scope of Christian proclamation and reinvigorating the teaching ministry of the church. Their vision has implications not merely for catechesis, but for preaching, worship, children's and youth ministry, and much more. The body of Christ can become all that God intends it to be, through intentional practices that foster personal and corporate formation. Here is guidance for individuals and congregations on that journey.

Tied for a 2001 Best Non-Fiction Book, Christian Living award in the God Uses Ink Contest If you get discouraged by your spiritual failures, you're not alone. In fact, you're in pretty good company. From the life and death of Samson to Peter's denial of Jesus, the Bible is filled with stories of people who wanted to serve God but frequently failed. And yet God still worked through these men and women for his purposes and glory. Through God's power, their points of weakness became their greatest strengths. In Never Beyond Hope J. I. Packer offers his pastoral wisdom, exploring the stories of eight imperfect people portrayed in the Bible. Packer shows you how their struggles and triumphs relate to your own experiences and highlights how God works despite your mistakes. Packer also teams up with expert Bible study writer Carolyn Nystrom, who helps you process and apply what you are learning in each chapter with study questions for personal reflection or group discussion, prayer suggestions and journaling ideas. Let this book help you discover that God's vision for your life may be far bigger than what you can see right now. Though you may be far from perfect, remember that in God's eyes you are never beyond hope.

The Bondage of the Will is fundamental to an understanding of the primary doctrines of the Reformation. In these pages, Luther gives extensive treatment to what he saw as the heart of the gospel. Free will was no academic question to Luther; the whole gospel of the grace of God, he believed, was bound up with it and stood or fell according to the way one understood it. Luther affirms our total inability to save ourselves and the sovereignty of divine grace in our salvation. He upholds the doctrine of justification by faith and defends predestination as determined by the foreknowledge of God. This accurate translation by J. I. Packer and O. R. Johnston captures the vitality of Luther's treatise, thereby conveying its relevance to our lives today. The translators write, "Do we not stand in urgent need of such teaching as Luther here gives us--teaching which humbles man, strengthens faith, and glorifies God?"

"There was a time," writes renowned theologian J. I. Packer in this classic book on biblical holiness, "when all Christians laid great emphasis on God's call to holiness. But how different it is today! To listen to our sermons and to read the books we write, and then to watch the zany, worldly, quarrelsome way we behave, you would never imagine that once the highway of holiness was clearly marked out for Bible-believers." In this revised and updated edition of Rediscovering Holiness, the highway is once more clearly marked out for a new generation of readers, pointing to true freedom and joy, both now and in eternity.

J. I. Packer maintains that anyone who wants to know God will want to know as much as they can of what is in the Bible. For through it God reveals himself and his purpose to us; and in it we discover his fellowship and grace. Packer presents the case for reliability of the Bible and urges us to return with open hearts to reading God's word, and to discovering its overwhelming power in our lives.This challenging sequel to Knowing God is a great resource for the Christian journey.

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.

Do you ever find it hard to hope? Many of us feel weighed down by our own failures, a sense of inferiority, guilt from the past, or emotionally exhausting circumstances. Yet when hope seems beyond us, the Bible offers encouragement from stories of those who have gone before. In this six-session LifeGuide (R) Bible Study, J. I. Packer and Carolyn Nystrom explore how God works through imperfect characters such as Jonah, Martha, and Peter. God loves, redeems, and restores misfits, outsiders, and failures. And he can do the same for you. Through the goodness of the God of hope, you can discover the blessing of hope as a way of life. For over three decades, LifeGuide Bible Studies have provided solid biblical content and raised thought-provoking questions-offering a one-of-a-kind Bible study experience for individuals and groups. This series has more than 145 titles on Old and New Testament books, character studies, and topical studies.

A moving and challenging exploration of the teachings and beliefs of the Puritans, this book calls Christians today to follow the Puritans' example of spiritual maturity.

Here is an accessible, authoritative guide to Christianity as a way of life.

Articles from 94 international contributors cover the entire scope of Christian doctrine, including such topics as creation, God, Jesus Christ, humanity, new life in Christ, the church, and more. Each belief is clearly explained with emphasis on how it is rooted in Scripture and what it means for Christians today.

Profiles of key Christian leaders and movements, biblical references, a glossary of key terms, and a full index are also included.