Digital Logos Edition
Explaining the essentials of the faith, Packer outlines the core commitments that are common to those of us who profess belief in Jesus. Here is a call to discipleship in mere Christianity—the business of taking God seriously.
Save on this book and more from J.I. Packer with Crossway J.I. Packer Collection (10 vols.).
“The essence of catechetical material is that it links the formulation of Christian truth (i.e., orthodoxy) with its application in Christian living (i.e., obedience, or orthopraxy, as nowadays it is often called).” (Page 11)
“Doctrine is the revealed truth of God as defined and taught in the church, by the church, for the church, and for the world.” (Page 33)
“Educators know that as white looks whiter on a blackboard and black looks blacker on a whiteboard, so meaning is more clearly and sharply seen when contrasted with what is not meant.” (Page 14)
“Christians see Christ as the true center of reference in both Testaments, the Old always looking and pointing forward to him and the New proclaiming his past coming, his present life and ministry in and from heaven, and his future destiny at his return; and they hold that this is the key to true biblical interpretation.” (Page 22)
“‘So’ means not ‘so much’ but ‘in the following manner.’” (Page 43)
Like many people, I first discovered what it meant ‘to take God seriously’ through reading J.I. Packer’s books. It is thus an honor and a delight to be asked to write a commendation for his latest work, a basic catechetical plea for sober, modest, thoughtful and orthodox theology. In a church world dominated by Barnum and Bailey circus antics and the brash triviality borrowed from the world around in the name of ‘engagement,’ Dr. Packer remains a truly engaging and gentlemanly advocate for those old paths which are ever fresh.
—Carl R. Trueman, professor of church history, Westminster Theological Seminary