This modern classic by the author of Knowing God provides a comprehensive statement of the doctrine of Scripture from an evangelical perspective. J. I. Packer explores the meaning of the word "fundamentalism" and offers a clear and well-reasoned argument for the authority of the Bible and its proper role in the Christian life.
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J.I. Packer currently serves as the Board of Governors' Professor of Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. An ordained Anglican minister, he hold a D.Phil. from Oxford University. Dr. Packer's many published works include "Rediscovering Holiness, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God," and the best-selling "Knowing God."
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Josh Moffit
Format:Paperback
JI Packer wrote this book over 45 years ago. Some of the issues he addresses are not issues today. But the premise behind the book is timeless- the authority of the Word of God. Even though liberalism may not be as strong as it was 50 years ago, today Christendom is wandering farther and farther away from the authority of God?s Word. This fact can be seen in the growth of cults. It can also be seen in how Christians today depend on human authors instead of God?s Word. Yet another manifestation of this wrong notion is the branch of Christianity that replaces God?s Word with emotion and feelings. So though the issue of Liberalism may not be significant today, the issue of authority definitely is.
I read the book for a class on ?The History of Fundamentalism in America?. The book does not really trace the history of Fundamentalism, but the book does cover the central issue in the Fundamentalism/Liberalism debate. Before reading the book, I would suggest reading the first two pages of the conclusion, where the author gives an overview of the entire book. The book is very logically laid out, with each chapter subject building on top of the last chapter subject. The only chapter I had problems with was the chapter on faith. The author tries to explain man?s inability to express faith, showing the author?s reformed presuppositions. I didn?t understand how this tied into the argument and flow of the book, and I think the notion is unbiblical (but this is a discussion for a different book review). The main argument of the book was one of presuppositions (as found in presuppositional apologetics). On page 109 the author writes, ?We should not abandon faith in anything that God has taught us merely because we cannot solve all the problems which it raises. Our own intellectual competence is not the test and measure of divine truth. It is not for us to stop believing because we lack understanding, or to postpone believing till we can get understanding, but to believe in order that we may understand?? This is the core issue of authority- are we going to trust our own minds, or are we going to trust God?s Word?
I would recommend the book to any Christian. The book will challenge you to take on a stronger stance for the Word of God, and it will show the foolishness of doing otherwise.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Solid, dependable but dated exposition of the original Fundamentalist position (ala Machen) before the term got stolen and mis-apportioned to a more narrow sect within the Christian community. Packer clearly states that the term is not "useful for Evangelicals today" (1958) and he was and is right. The book is well worth reading, along with Machen's "Christianity and Liberalism" for a strong sense of the basic challenges orthodox, Evangelical Christians face. In the post-modern era those basic challenges are still present though now characterized in different dress. As Packer says (pg. 42)- "The problem of authority is the most fundamental problem that the Christian Church ever faces." Absolutely true and now as much as ever. Packer's work has abiding interest for anyone seeking to establish themselves within the flow of Christian apologetics and self-understanding.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The fundamentalist movement began as a response to the rising liberalism of the 19th century, especially as found in the church. In contrast to the dictates and the wisdom of modern men stood Holy Scripture, which was to be the sole authority. That much they knew:
'The problem of authority is the most fundamental problem that the Christian Church ever faces.' p 42
But they also knew their convictions would not go unchallenged:
'Modern man, sceptical and indifferent as he is to dogmatic pronouncements about the supernatural order, may find it hard to take seriously the idea that one's eternal welfare may depend on what one believes; but the apostles were sure it was so. Theological error was to them a grim reality, as was the spiritual shipwreck which comes in its wake.' p 43
On the other hand, JI Packer also extends a historical reminder to those who err in thinking that J Gresham Machen was fundamentalist. 'He saw fundamentalism as a debased evangelicalism which at point after point was at variance with that for which he stood.' p 36 Packer quotes Machen's own analysis which shows that he could not resign himself to the fundamentalist position: 'The emergence of new emphases and the lack of others, the presence at times of a zeal not according to knowledge and the frequent absence of historical perspective...Oftentimes pietistic and perfectionist vagaries have come to be accepted as the hallmark of fundamentalism. And a one-sided other-worldliness, often associated with a dogmatic commitment to a futuristic chiliasm, has come to be widely regarded as essential to fundamentalist orthodoxy.'
Ned B Stonehouse, J Gresham Machen: A Biographical Memoir p 336
'The problem of authority is the most fundamental problem that the Christian Church ever faces.' p 42
But they also knew their convictions would not go unchallenged:
'Modern man, sceptical and indifferent as he is to dogmatic pronouncements about the supernatural order, may find it hard to take seriously the idea that one's eternal welfare may depend on what one believes; but the apostles were sure it was so. Theological error was to them a grim reality, as was the spiritual shipwreck which comes in its wake.' p 43
On the other hand, JI Packer also extends a historical reminder to those who err in thinking that J Gresham Machen was fundamentalist. 'He saw fundamentalism as a debased evangelicalism which at point after point was at variance with that for which he stood.' p 36 Packer quotes Machen's own analysis which shows that he could not resign himself to the fundamentalist position: 'The emergence of new emphases and the lack of others, the presence at times of a zeal not according to knowledge and the frequent absence of historical perspective...Oftentimes pietistic and perfectionist vagaries have come to be accepted as the hallmark of fundamentalism. And a one-sided other-worldliness, often associated with a dogmatic commitment to a futuristic chiliasm, has come to be widely regarded as essential to fundamentalist orthodoxy.'
Ned B Stonehouse, J Gresham Machen: A Biographical Memoir p 336
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Dated but still powerful, and contains wonderful sections on Authority
There's not much that J. I. Packer writes that isn't worth taking the time to read. His arguments are sound and well-written, and his thinking bears emulation. Read more
Published on October 10, 2010 by Brett D. McLaughlin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enduringly Significant
There are certain books that have a very short shelf-life, either because they're highly topical or they make pop-culture references that no one will get in 15 minutes. Read more
Published on March 24, 2010 by Aaron Armstrong
1.0 out of 5 stars
Well written but flawed analysis of fundamentalism.
J I Packer is blessed with the ability to write concisely and clearly about the ideas he wishes to express but he is not blessed with an accurate understanding of non-evangelical... Read more
Published on November 14, 2007 by P. Soderberg
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