Book Recommendation: Knowing God by J.I Packer
If you’re looking for a book that is rich theologically and powerfully convicting then you would like this book. Knowing God by J.I Packer is not the kind of book you read once and put away but is a valuable addition to the believer’s resources. What you believer or know about God is important because it will determine how you live and relate to Him and others.
Knowing God is well written with a total of twenty-two chapters. Some outstanding chapters for me were Packer’s exploration of: God incarnate (God becoming man), the wisdom of God, His unchanging nature, His majesty, His love, His grace and His wrath. One of the topics explored as well was in relation to hearing from God and challenging some of the strange practices some people promote for the sake of hearing from God. Packer challenges some of those with the word of God and guards against behaviors that emphasizes individual revelation over the word of God. This book will have you thinking! And I urge you to read it prayerfully and thoughtfully.
This book knowing God has truly been a journey for me. It explores characteristics of God on a very deep theological level and it has stirred up in me a deeper desire to truly grow in my knowledge of Him. I see the need to be conscious of how I view God in my mind and how I depict Him to others, my understanding of grace has truly expanded. But more so I stopped in silent reverence and meditation when I came upon God’s nature as judge and the concept of his goodness and severity as being a two-part deal. I think that this is an aspect of God’s nature that in recent times has been greatly diminished. We speak of the love of God; His goodness and mercy and we steer clear often of the truth of His wrath. I believe a deeper awareness of this as young believers will motivate us to serve him with a passion and with reverence, but even more so, with a heart of gratitude for His extended mercies towards us. This truly was an inspiring read and I would recommend it for any believer, for I am even more convinced now that a knowledge of God, is essential for effective outward ministry and steadfast inward growth.
Quote/s
‘The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his father…. But while the subject humbles the mind, it also expands it. He who often thinks of God, will have a larger mind than the man who simply plods around this narrow globe…’ – J. I Packer
‘Earnest Christians seeking guidance often go wrong. Why is this? Often the reason is that their notion of the nature and method of divine guidance is distorted… Their basic mistake is to think of guidance as essentially inward prompting by the Holy Spirit, apart from the written Word. This idea… is a seed-bed in which all forms of fanaticism and folly can grow.” – J.I Packer
‘…people have gotten into the practice of following private religious hunches rather than learning of God from his own Word; we have to try to help them unlearn the pride and, in some cases, the misconceptions about Scripture which gave rise to this attitude and to base their convictions henceforth not on what they feel but on what the Bible says.’ – J.I Packer
‘Today vast stress is laid on the thought that God is personal, but this truth is so stated as to leave the impression that God is a person of the same sort as we are — weak, inadequate, ineffective, a little pathetic. But this is not the God of the Bible!… He is eternal, infinite and almighty. He has us in his hands; we never have him in ours. Like us, he is personal; but unlike us, he is great.’ – J.I Packer.
You can get it in paperback or for kindle at Amazon. Also note that a summary of this book is available from Royalty Press United, to acquire a summary, send us the message “I would like a copy of the Knowing God book summary” via our contact page (Please note such a request will add you to our mailing list).
Be a blessing,
Kelly PW
Kelly is the founder of Royalty Press United. Author of the Gemstone Royals fantasy series, Twist of Faith and Crossroads. Counseling psychologist, proud Grenadian and devoted follower of Christ.
