"J.I. Packer" (Alister McGrath)

TITLE: J. I. Packer: His Life and Thought
AUTHOR: Alister McGrath
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2020, (192 pages).

To many Christians around the world, he is known as the author of the bestselling book, "Knowing God." To North American evangelicals, he is known as the Puritan evangelical from England. To students at Tyndale, he was remembered as the theologian who impacted their ministry and preaching. For those in Regent College, he was their beloved professor, a friend of Regent's co-founder, James Houston, a scholar who is passionate about equipping the layperson for ministry. For budding authors, he was always willing to contribute a preface, a foreword, or a brief commendation about a book waiting to be published. In a richly informative and inspirational biography of Dr James Innell Packer, Oxford scholar Alister McGrath has written a beautiful tribute. It is a story of the life of a man that simply needs to be told, for the benefit of anyone considering ministry or theological education. In it, McGrath gives us wonderful snippets of Packer's life and most interestingly, some of Packer's most famous quips. His reminder about the value of old books as well as the three ways to engage tradition with theological reflection is worth the price of the book.

Going all the way back to November 1991, McGrath remembers meeting Dr Packer in a bus from Oxford to Cambridge. From that point on, he would take mental notes of the life, spirituality, and wisdom of the learned man. Reading this book reminds me that Packer is more than what the popular magazines or newspapers write about him. We learn about how his mentor, David Gwynn Williams, stirred his theological career.  We read about his love for learning and his appetite for classical literature as well as spirituality writings from prominent writers like John Calvin, Martin Luther, George Whitefield, CS Lewis, the Puritans like John Owen, etc. Readers also get a glimpse of his early years prior to conversion and his conversion experience. Through his life, we also learn about the value of old books, and the importance of supplementing our regular reading not only with the latest bestselling books but the old ones, especially the classics. Packer is thoroughly convinced about the value of old books and wisdom of the past. Not only has he developed a penchant to read the old classics regularly, the emphasizes this practice for those he meet, especially his students. 

For those preparing for ministry, Packer's decision to be ordained should be an inspiration to follow after 1 Timothy 3:1. He decided on pursuing the ordination path as early as 1946 and was eventually ordained in 1952. McGrath skillfully interspersed Packer's journey through ministry and marriage, education and achievements, and more succinctly the desire of one man to excel in serving God as a theological educator. Packer is a minister, a teacher, and a reader, all rolled into one. As McGrath traces Packer's life chronologically, he carefully weaves together how Packer's personal life and his spirituality. There is no doubt that Packer lets his conviction in the Word of God drives his entire lifestyle. From Gloucester to Oxford; from Oxford to Birmingham; Bristol to Vancouver; Packer's calling to ministry is essentially an integration among Church Ministry, Theological Education, and the Equipping of the saints. He reads old books and encourages others to do the same. He lives in the Word. He teaches the Word and he practices it. Many of his themes and teachings were published in his bestselling book, "Knowing God." 

McGrath also gives readers a deeper understanding of the struggles of Packer. When Packer was Principal of Tyndale Hall in Bristol, his support for dialogue and a "Growing into Union" with Anglo-Catholics led to the parting of ways with evangelical preacher, Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Packer's openness to working with the Roman Catholic counterparts also puts him at odds with the conservative evangelicals in North America. Meanwhile, the ongoing discussion of mergers among struggling theological colleges led to a blessing in disguise for Packer, who found time to write his international bestseller, Knowing God. 

My Thoughts

For the general reader, many would be interested to know the contexts leading up to the writing of the popular book, Knowing God. Many had came to Regent College on the strength of this book, just to learn under the teachings of Packer. Mention J.I. Packer and people would think of Regent. Mention Regent and many would remember Packer. This marriage helps propel Regent College into one of the most well-known evangelical colleges in North America, and arguably the world. For conservatives in general, Packer is well respected and honoured. For those extra more conservative, Packer is not "conservative" enough. For example, while Packer was willing to engage dialogue with Catholics, he is not so willing to compromise on his stand regarding the ordination of women.

For students who had sat under his teachings, they would remember Packer fondly for his personal touch, especially through the community group meetings at their home. Packer is also one of the most consistent presence as a professor at Regent, teaching regularly even after his retirement in 1996. He continues to minister at Church, regularly teaching Bible classes or preaching over the pulpit. He remains to faithful to both Church and School. As a past student, I missed Dr Packer and his gentle, clear, and wise teachings. I can reminisce those moments that he would either share an inspirational thought from the Puritans, or a gentle answer to some of the mysteries of the faith. Being asked a lot of questions, Packer is one who is patient to answer all. However, if a student manages to ask a great question, it would unleash Packer who would then launch into an entirely different lecture in itself. That would give students a fantastic two-in-one deal!

I really enjoyed reading this biography. It brings back lots of memories about my past days as a student at Regent, especially when I was listening to the Packer lectures. McGrath gives a lot more background about how Packer cultivates his spiritual thoughts and the contexts in which Packer develops his theological views. One does not need to agree with everything Packer stands for. What we would all agree would be Packer's faithfulness to the teaching of the Bible, and his eminent achievements as one of the world's most foremost evangelical thinkers and teachers. 

This book should be required reading for anyone contemplating ministry and theological education. 

Alister McGrath (DPhil, DD, Oxford University) is the Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at Oxford University and fellow of Harris Manchester College, Oxford.

Rating: 5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of InterVarsity Press and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.