By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President
The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, his younger colleague in the Gospel, to “be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
English-born Canadian evangelical theologian, J.I. Packer, took that to heart. His reputation as a giant of twentieth century theology was known for making theological truth clear. In 2005, he was cited by Time magazine as being among the twenty-five most influential evangelicals in America.
James Innell Packer (1926 – 2020) in 2018.
Packer went to be with his Savior on July 17, at the age of 93.
When I heard of his death, I went to my bookshelf and found one of his many books, Knowing God. His influence on my own thinking was indicated by the highlighting I placed throughout its pages. Since many will be recognizing his writings and leadership, I will also commemorate his passing by listing below some impactful quotes from his publications and teaching.
• “This one word ‘grace’ contains within itself the whole of New Testament theology.”
• “Faith abandons hope in man’s own accomplishments, leaves all works behind, and comes to Christ alone and empty-handed, to cast itself on His mercy.”
• “Your faith will not fail while God sustains it; you are not strong enough to fall away while God is resolved to hold you.”
• “The life of true holiness is rooted in the soil of awed adoration.”
• “God saves sinners.”
Praise God for His faithful servant J.I. Packer!
Sources: World Magazine, Vol. 35, No. 15, 08-15-20, p. 8. Time, “The 25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America,” 7 February 2005, retrieved August 12, 2020, http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1993235_1993243_1993310,00.html.
