Proclaimer Blog
Engaging the written word of God
Engaging the written word of God by JI Packer
How wise is it to write a book review before you've finished the book? Not particularly. Especially when you know that you have at least one significant point of difference with the writer. But, never one to shirk a challenge, here I go anyway. The writer in question is Jim Packer (and the issue is Evangelicals and Catholics together, but one that I do not expect to occur in this particular volume). Paternoster have pulled together a collection of essays, articles and interviews with Packer which means this book (300+pp but retailing at an extraordinary £10.99) is a real value added treasure. The collection is divided up into three – articles etc on inerrancy, a second section on interpretation including a cogent and traditional case for women's ministry as being different from that of men, then a third section on preaching.
This is where, to be honest, I have spent most of my time, tying in, as it did, with some seminars I was running at New Word Alive. Packer is again orthodox on preaching, but it is an orthodoxy which has been somewhat lost and needs to be reclaimed. These contributions, therefore, were refreshing and timely.
"Preaching mediates not only God's authority, but also his presence and his power. Preaching effects an encounter not simply with the truth, but with God himself."
Well worth some of your English pounds or wait for the EMA for a very special price…