Publishers description here one of the leading authorities on the puritans, j. As a devoted fan of the puritans, i found this book to be a most valuable. The use of lists that are in the form of, first, second, third, fouth, is incredibly distracting in my opinion. Packer, the board of governors professor of theology at regent college, was hailed by time as a doctrinal solomon among protestants.
Knowing also the dishonesty and deceitfulness of fallen human hearts, they cultivated humility and selfsuspicion as abiding attitudes, and examined themselves regularly for spiritual blind spots and lurking inward evils. The writings of the puritans continue to profoundly reward readers and here packer brings them alive in an inspiring way to encourage a. The book is a collection of essays on the puritans quest for godliness. Packer 1994, paperback at the best online prices at ebay.
Packer today, many christians are turning back to the puritans to, walk in the old paths, of gods word, and to continue to proclaim old truth that glorifies jesus christ. He is considered one of the most influential evangelicals in north america. John calvin, a beacon for the puritans, receives considerable attention in this volume of puritan papers. Packers theology has always been pastoral, practical, catechetical, and eminently readableinstead of recondite, esoteric, or merely academicit is appropriate that this welcome volume is itself downtoearth, accessible, and reader friendly. Packers purpose is to present a clear portrait of the puritan clergy and their message p. An interview with puritan explorer, ji packer about us regent. Packer dphil, oxford university serves as the board of governors professor of theology. Now, in this elegant and engaging book, he has given us the most accessible and inspiring way in to them. Packer has long been considered one of the leading interpreters of the puritans. These papers were originally presented on the 400th anniversary of calvin. In his 1990 book, a quest for godliness crossway packer offers us tremendous truths on the puritan vision of the christian life as the subtitle puts it. Packer dphil, oxford university serves as the board of governors professor of theology at regent college. The puritans knew that scripture is the unalterable rule of holiness, and never allowed themselves to forget it.
Here one of the leading authorities on the puritans, j. Drawing on a lifetime of study, packer surveys the lives and teachings of great puritan leaders such as john owen, richard baxter, and jonathan edwards. Packer is a superb introduction to the english puritans. Each was recently named by time magazine as among the 25 most influential evangelicals in america. Far from merely a biographical study, however, packer aims to show. With the release of puritan portraits, a fresh and spiritually invigorating survey of several key puritan pastors and theologians, i can now point to a second volume that is must reading. Packer, educated at oxford university, is currently professor of systematic and historical theology at regent college in vancouver, british columbia. Sermon comments 0 puritanism under the stuarts 1603 1640 by j. Oct 10, 2007 this course examines the english puritans.
Braund richard greenham and the trials of a christian o. Packer does in this book, introducing us to several puritanminded men of the sixteenth through eighteenth centuries. Packer, in his book a quest for godliness, describes the theology of the puritans and how that theology produced a godcentered life that we should gain many lessons from. As packer does so well, in this book the puritans become mirrors in which we see heavenly truths about the gospel, evangelism, spiritual growth, and suffering. Indeed, jim packer is a puritan of the most winsome, persuasive, and catholic sort. The puritan conscience in action the puritan concern for a good conscience lent great ethical strength to their teaching. Recommended books see the sermonindex recommended book list on amazon. Kindle store go search best sellers gift ideas new. A quest for godliness shreds the lies that besmerk the puritans. Packer, is an englishborn canadian evangelical theologian in the lowchurch anglican and calvinist traditions. Michael reeves head of theology, uccf when ive been asked to recommend a book on the puritans, j. In it youll find the truth about the puritans from their own words in their own historical context. The puritans as packer himself describes them in this volume do not quite display that sort of unity. Few have been the generations of christians which have grown to the spiritual stature characteristic of the puritans.
He is one of the last voices representing that generation of british evangelicalism hat had roots in the reformation, that was articulate, warm, and evangelical in the best. Packer on selected classic pastors and pastoral classics. Packers a quest for godliness typically came first to mind. A summary of puritan preaching, worship, the sabbath, and the family. A quest for godliness is a good book if you want to understand the puritans way of life and how they disciplined themselves. Packer introduces us to their rich theology and deep spirituality. Packer paints a vivid portrait of puritanstheir piety, church life, and social impulseproviding a model of passionate, holy living for todays oftencomplacent church. Puritan portraits packer reformation heritage books. The mission of sermonindex is the preservation and propagation of classical biblical preaching and the promotion of christcentered revival to this generation. He was an inheritor and champion of puritan theology and of the reformational.
Of all english evangelicals from the reformation to the present day, the puritans were undoubtedly the most conspicuous as preachers of righteousness. Packer is a remarkable treatment of one of the greatest eras in the history of the church the era of the english puritans. Packer contributes a chapter on calvin as a servant of the word. His 1990 book,a quest for godliness, has been especially influential. Packer, a well known theologian, named by time magazine as one of the 25 most influential evangelicals alive, and one of the leading authorities on the puritans has written a new book puritan portraits. Packer the era of the puritans 15591662, or thereabouts today, many christians are turning back to the puritans to, walk in the old paths, of gods word, and to continue to proclaim old truth that glorifies jesus christ.
The book is challenging and informative as is typical of packers books. His 1990 book, a quest for godliness, has been especially influential. Packer also owes a deep personal debt to the puritans. Packer, billy graham and richard john neuhaus have in common. He covers various aspect of puritan life and ministry. Packer has had a longstanding passion for the puritans. Dec 07, 2015 the puritans as packer himself describes them in this volume do not quite display that sort of unity.
Physicians of the soul christian history christianity today. He currently serves as the board of governors professor of theology at regent college in vancouver, british columbia. In this book, he calls upon a lifetime of study to share with his readers the rich world of puritanism. Packer has written for books published by crossway, with an introduction by sam storms, author of packer on the christian life. For too long, the puritans have been marginalized, unfairly caricatured, and relegated dusty boxes of books in the garage. I feel as though packer restates the same thing continually. Packer is the perfect author for a nearperfect book on the puritans. He is one of the last voices representing that generation of british evangelicalism that had roots in the reformation, that was articulate, warm, and evangelical in the best sense of the word. The sport of slinging mud has, however, a wider following. Pillorying the puritans, in particular, has long been a popular pastime both sides of the atlantic, and most peoples image of puritanism still has on it much. This course is more of an apologia than a critical analysis of puritanism. Packer paints a vivid portrait of puritanstheir piety, church life, and social impulseproviding a model of passionate, holy living for.
Packer intends to bring the puritans to the forefront of christian thought, precisely where. The first part of the book discusses the historical context from which the puritans ministered. James innell packer born 22 july 1926, usually cited as j. Puritan christianity, says packer, was serious business. Packer lectures on the perfections of god 19part mp3 lecture series history and theology of the puritans mp3s on itunes english puritan theology 8part mp3 series. Others treat calvin the man, his doctrine of god, the institutes, and sixteenthcentury geneva. Packer the puritans dealings with troubled souls g. Packer and the committee of the westminster conference. Packers rare puritan library now digitized to be read online. A summary of puritan preaching, worship, the sabbath, and. Packer is a significant figure in a variety of circles.
Physicians of the soul christian history christianity. Packer strolling the stacks at the allison library in. Packer, one of the best christian writers of many decades, has here written briefly about some of the best christian pastors and authors of modern history the puritans. The english puritan s by john brown free online version worldly saints by dr. Some of the essays appear in different collections. When ive been asked to recommend a book on the puritans, j. Packer has long loved and promoted the puritans, and this is one of his best books on the topic. In a quest for godliness, the esteemed author of knowing god and a dozen other books shares with his readers the rich world of puritanism that has been so influential. Requires a free account at westminster theological seminary. The puritans and the doctrine of election iain murray the witness of the spirit.
Packer has earned the nickname the last puritan, his many decades of puritanfocused scholarship, teaching, and writing have helped to create a new generation of puritan protegees. Their understanding of god and his ways with man has largely formed his own spirituality and. A quest for godliness is a profoundly moving and challenging exploration of puritan life and thought in a beautifully written book. Packer, however, includes him in his book puritan portraits and describes him as one who, alongside jonathan edwards in america, represents most brilliantly the prolonging into the eighteenth century of pure puritanism 106. Since packer is one of our key rare book donors, i asked him how he thought these books should be understood and used.
Packer is anglican, the tradition out of which the puritans came. Jul 08, 2010 a quest for godliness is a good book if you want to understand the puritans way of life and how they disciplined themselves. Crossway the following is a list of all of the endorsements that j. His latest book on this topic, puritan portraits, is a brief collection of introductory essays on notable puritan pastors and their works. As he recounts in his changed lives article in this issue p. Their understanding of god and his ways with man has largely formed his own spirituality and theological outlook. Far from merely a biographical study, however, packer aims to show how. Packer, one of the most prominent reformed evangelicals of the past halfcentury. This book offers a full and balanced portrait of a diligent and faithful theologian.
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