If God is in control of everything, can Christians sit back and not bother to evangelize? Or does active evangelism imply that God is not really sovereign at all? J. I. Packer shows in this new edition to the popular IVP Classics how both of these attitudes are false. In a careful review of the biblical evidence, he shows how a right understanding of God's sovereignty is not so much a barrier to evangelism as an incentive and powerful support for it. With over 100,000 copies in print, is truly a classic that should be read by every Christian.
Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By C. H. Cobb
Format:Paperback
To have published a single literary work that becomes a classic is a notable accomplishment. Publishing two gives the writer a corner on contemporary Christians' reading lists. James Inverness Packer has accomplished just that. Packer is well-known for his landmark book, Knowing God, which first was published in 1973. This is not a review of that book, but if you have not read it you should. Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God (first published, 1961) is the other classic Packer has written, and it punches far above its weight (my copy is a 2008 reprint edition--it's only 134 pages) in the world of biblically faithful Christian classics.
The first chapter, Divine Sovereignty, makes the case that all believers adhere to a confidence in God's absolute sovereignty. Packer calls the average Christian's prayer life to the witness stand, and the testimony is irrefutable. If you are inclined to question this last sentence, just read the chapter and form your own opinion: it's only seven pages long.
Next, in Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility, Packer shows that these two poles of activity (divine and human) comprise not a paradox, but an antinomy: the assertion of two statements which seem to be contradictory, but both of which are logically necessary: "An antinomy exists when a pair of principles stand side by side, seemingly irreconcilable, yet both undeniable" [26]. Packer goes on to show, with plenty of examples, that both divine sovereignty and human responsibility are taught in Scripture. His advice regarding how to handle the conflict between the two is wise:
"What should one do, then, with an antinomy? Accept it for what it is, and learn to live with it. Refuse to regard the apparent inconsistency as real; put down the semblance of contradiction to the deficiency of your own understanding; think of the two principles not as rival alternatives but, in some way that at present you do not grasp, complementary to each other. Be careful, therefore, not to set them at loggerheads, nor to make deductions from either that would cut across the other (such deductions would, for that very reason, be certainly unsound)" [28-29].
In his chapter entitled, Evangelism, Packer answers four questions in the light of the foregoing. "What is evangelism? What is the evangelistic message? What is the motive for evangelizing? By what means and methods should evangelism be practiced" [45]? The bulk of the book is found in this chapter, and it is excellent. Packer fully delivers on the promise to deal with the questions, and in doing so he faithfully and powerfully represents the biblical gospel.
The final chapter, Divine Sovereignty and Evangelism, demonstrates that, far from being a damper on our evangelism, a good understanding of God's sovereign role stokes the flames of our passion to tell the message. God's sovereignty is, in fact, a guarantee of our success in evangelism.
Without being disrespectful or polemical, Packer has dismantled the typical Arminian concerns regarding the doctrines of grace, as regards evangelism. This book is not a "gotcha!" to be used to win a debate; rather, it is a powerful, positive, pastoral accounting of what must remain a divine mystery: God's absolute sovereignty, and our undeniable responsibility to evangelize.
The first chapter, Divine Sovereignty, makes the case that all believers adhere to a confidence in God's absolute sovereignty. Packer calls the average Christian's prayer life to the witness stand, and the testimony is irrefutable. If you are inclined to question this last sentence, just read the chapter and form your own opinion: it's only seven pages long.
Next, in Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility, Packer shows that these two poles of activity (divine and human) comprise not a paradox, but an antinomy: the assertion of two statements which seem to be contradictory, but both of which are logically necessary: "An antinomy exists when a pair of principles stand side by side, seemingly irreconcilable, yet both undeniable" [26]. Packer goes on to show, with plenty of examples, that both divine sovereignty and human responsibility are taught in Scripture. His advice regarding how to handle the conflict between the two is wise:
"What should one do, then, with an antinomy? Accept it for what it is, and learn to live with it. Refuse to regard the apparent inconsistency as real; put down the semblance of contradiction to the deficiency of your own understanding; think of the two principles not as rival alternatives but, in some way that at present you do not grasp, complementary to each other. Be careful, therefore, not to set them at loggerheads, nor to make deductions from either that would cut across the other (such deductions would, for that very reason, be certainly unsound)" [28-29].
In his chapter entitled, Evangelism, Packer answers four questions in the light of the foregoing. "What is evangelism? What is the evangelistic message? What is the motive for evangelizing? By what means and methods should evangelism be practiced" [45]? The bulk of the book is found in this chapter, and it is excellent. Packer fully delivers on the promise to deal with the questions, and in doing so he faithfully and powerfully represents the biblical gospel.
The final chapter, Divine Sovereignty and Evangelism, demonstrates that, far from being a damper on our evangelism, a good understanding of God's sovereign role stokes the flames of our passion to tell the message. God's sovereignty is, in fact, a guarantee of our success in evangelism.
Without being disrespectful or polemical, Packer has dismantled the typical Arminian concerns regarding the doctrines of grace, as regards evangelism. This book is not a "gotcha!" to be used to win a debate; rather, it is a powerful, positive, pastoral accounting of what must remain a divine mystery: God's absolute sovereignty, and our undeniable responsibility to evangelize.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Packer has such a good way of showing all of biblical truth, and he does a good job explaining how things that appear contradictory come together. All the teaching is in the context of evangelism, and for anyone who struggles with their role in evangelism, this gives you great hope and confidence in following Jesus' words. This is the second book on evangelism I would recommend, the first being Dever's The Gospel and Personal Evangelism. But this is the first book I would recommend in trying to grow in understanding God's sovereignty.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book came highly recommended from several people. I finally sat down and read it. I have to say that it is probably one of the best books on evangelism that I have read. JI Packer is great, and his thoughts on evangelism are grounded in scripture and practical.
If you are a follower of Christ, this should be a book you are soon to be reading.
If you are a follower of Christ, this should be a book you are soon to be reading.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best description of the the subject
This book is great in reconciling the two concepts which is difficult to understand for a someone who is not a theologian.
Published 1 month ago by Philip Schachtner
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
I really got a different, good, perspective on some issues which had been a part of my former teaching, to help me understand the doctrine which I'd wondered about for a long time.
Published 1 month ago by diligent student
5.0 out of 5 stars
J.L. Packer is always a good read with sound doctrine.
A book with many jewels but needs to be read more than once to get them all. A Librarty must!
Published 2 months ago by Dotty Cooper
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very helpful
I've been struggling to reconcile these two, and now see that there is no need. They are both true and can happily exist side by side.
Published 3 months ago by M. Preston
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good read
Read it for our home groups. Would recommend, if needed, spending some unrushed time ensuring that, if you use it for a group study, that they understand and embrace what Packer... Read more
Published 4 months ago by E. Davis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Impacts my Belief System
I talked to a fellow in a Reformed college (Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA). I said, 'aren't you reformed guys, the same folks that told William Carey to sit down because God... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Gregory Simkins
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Man of God
I have read all i am aware of in books by J. I. Packer. This book helped me more than any other in coming to how i view God's Sovereignty and our responsibility. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Carl A. Dixon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic. A Must Read for Every Christian
Hands down the best book on a very difficult topic. Easy read, well researched and well written. I would give this book to every Christian I know.
Published 5 months ago by Shay Thomason
5.0 out of 5 stars
Packer is a 21st Century Puritan (meant in the best way possible)
Solid theology for an age of theological ignorance. A guide for those of us who would be fishers of men.
Published 5 months ago by S. Rainer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Reading
This is a good book that leads the reader in what it means to be a committed disciple of Christ. I recommend it highly to anyone who may need or wish to know more about telling... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Hibernian
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