A Quest for Godliness: The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life [Paperback]

J. I. Packer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 1994

J. I. Packer has had a long-standing passion for the Puritans. Their understanding of God and His ways with man has largely formed his own spirituality and theological outlook. 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 in his own life.

Dr. Packer masterfully uncovers the hidden treasures of Puritan life and thought. With crystalline clarity he reveals the depth and breadth of Puritan spiritual life, contrasting it with the superficiality and deadness of modern Western Christianity.

Drawing on a lifetime of study, Dr. Packer takes the reader on a survey of the lives and teachings of great Puritan leaders such as John Owen, Richard Baxter, and Jonathan Edwards. He offers a close look at such subjects as the Puritan view of the Bible, spiritual gifts, the Sabbath, worship, social action, and the family. He concludes that a main difference between the Puritans and ourselves is spiritual maturity—the Puritans had it; we don't.

In a time of failing vision and decaying values, this powerful portrait of Puritans is a beacon of hope that calls us to radical commitment and action when both are desperately needed.

A Quest for Godliness is a profoundly moving and challenging exploration of Puritan life and thought in a beautifully written book. Here is J. I. Packer at his very best.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In A Quest for Godliness, J. I. Packer paints a vivid portrait of Puritans--their piety, church life, and social impulse--providing a model of passionate, holy living for today's often-complacent church. Packer's characteristically lucid style and penetrating insights into Christians of old send a vibrant challenge to those of us who follow Christ in this last decade of the twentieth century. I heartily recommend this book."
—Charles Colson, Founder, Prison Fellowship

"Dr. Packer has blended theology, biography, history, and practical exhortation in a book that is a delight to read. But even more, the book speaks to our contemporary church situation and causes us to search our hearts and examine our ministries. Whether you are just getting acquainted with the Puritans or are a long-time friend, A Quest for Godliness will instruct and inspire you. Here is solid spiritual food that contributes to maturity."
—Warren W. Wiersbe, Retired General Director, Back to the Bible

About the Author

J. I. PACKER is the Board of Governors&rwquo; Professor of Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. He has authored the classic best-seller Knowing God, as well as many other titles. He served as general editor for The Holy Bible: English Standard Version and as theological editor for the ESV Study Bible.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Crossway Books (June 15, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0891078193
• ISBN-13: 978-0891078197
• Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 5.9 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #301,450 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #62 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Protestantism > Presbyterian

More About the Author

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."

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

110 of 112 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Questing after the Quintessence of Christian Consecration October 6, 2000

By Brian G Hedges

Format:Paperback

What an awesome book is this! It deserves to be six stars, because it is such an excellent treatment of one of the greatest eras in the history of the church - the era of the English Puritans. Packer's book serves as a comprehensive introduction to these giants of the faith that he likens to the California Redwood trees among the ants and anthills of Western Christians. Let me introduce you to Packer's introduction - maybe you will be enticed to explore further . . .

Packer's twenty chapters are arranged under six headings,

I. The Puritans in Profile - which serves as a rich introduction to the Puritans themselves, examining the Puritan movement in its historical context and exploring the practical relevance that the Puritans have to our own age.

II. The Puritans and the Bible - explores the Bibliology of the Puritans, including both their view of the Divine inspiration and authority of Scripture and their method of interpreting the Bible, and ending on their view of conscience.

III. The Puritans and the Gospel - containing a stunning introduction to John Owen's book "The Death of Death in the Death of Christ" which seeks to show how what is known as Calvinism is more than five subpoints of theology, but really defines the whole of the gospel; also including a look at the doctrine of justification and its development and decline among the Puritans; and ending on the Puritan view of preaching the gospel.

IV. The Puritans and the Holy Spirit - a rich and rewarding study of the way in which Puritans understood the ministry of the Holy Spirit - especially in relationship to assurance (with much from Thomas Goodwin, Richard Sibbes, and Thomas Brooks), sanctification and communion with God (with much from John Owen), and spiritual gifts. Invigorating.

V. The Puritan Christian Life - an exploration of the Puritan perception of worship (a rich spiritual feast with much from Stephen Charnock and George Swinnock), how they crafted the observance of the Christian Sabbath (the Lord's Day) into what it became, and the Puritan ideals for marriage and family relationships.

VI. The Puritans in Ministry - three rich chapters dealing with preaching, evangelism, and revival - introducing the reader to such rich gold mines as the works of Richard Baxter and Jonathan Edwards. A rewarding section of the book.

Such is an overview. The chapters are well organized and written with clarity, precision, and Packer's characterstic fervor and creativity. The book is immensely interesting. There are hundreds of quotations from the best of the Puritan literature, and the spiritually minded reader will find his appetite whetted so as to hunger for the Puritans themselves.

I commend this book to every Christian, and especially every pastor, who wants to grow deeper in humility, broader in Scripture, and higher in worship. This book will be a feast to your soul.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars On the Quest December 27, 2006

By John Stevenson

Format:Paperback

This volume consists of a collection of papers, many of which were delivered during at the annual Puritan and Reformed Studies Conference in Westminster Chapel, London during the 1950's and 1960's. Following a three chapter introduction, Packer groups these papers under five headings as we see the Puritans in relation to the Bible, the gospel, spirituality, practical Christian living, and the ministry. Puritanism is seen as a renewal movement designed to honor the God of the Scriptures. Packer views the Puritans through the eyes of its leaders, especially Richard Baxter, John Owens, and Jonathan Edwards, the latter being included even though he lived and ministered after the era of the Puritans. Packer refers to Edwards as a Puritan "born out of due time."

We are presented with both the strengths as well as the failings of the Puritans as Richard Baxter is described as the father of modern liberalism in the Church of England and Jonathan Edwards' revival is seen to be a short-lived flash which quickly cooled following his generation. It is John Owen who comes across as the hero of the book and the Calvin of the Puritan movement (Pg 191). Packer defends Owen's cumbersome and tortuous style of writing as being "a Latinized spoken style" after the tradition of Cicero. We are continually urged to ignore the burden of his writing style because it is worth the extra effort.

The practical emphasis of this book is a call for revivalism in the church today. Puritanism was exactly such a call and Packer suggests that the church is in need of this call again in this day and age. I found especially noteworthy the section dealing with assurance. The Puritan view of assurance is not merely a matter of believing the gospel and its promise of eternal life. Rather, they viewed assurance as being only for the one who has been walking faithfully with the Lord for a very long time and even then, it was pictured as a "crown that few wear."

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Makes me want to learn more March 12, 2006

By M. J. Keel

Format:Paperback

Packer's purpose for compiling his years of learning and writing about the Puritians was to introduce modern readers to their spirituality and encourage us to read their writings for ourselves. Well, I am convinced, and I look forward to delving into this neglected selection of Christian writings.

Packer does a great job of spanning the years the Puritans were influential as well as covering the similarities and diversity of their thoughts on things from church life, theology, to family and gender issues.

The only reason I did not give this book five stars is that I reserve that honor for books that keep me riveted. While I could easily put this book down it gave me a lot of food for thought, and challenged me to examine myself for inconsistencies of thought and behavior. This is a must read.