Product Description
5 Classic Lectures from J. I. Packer Defending the Truth of the Gospel against Humanism, Universalism, and More
Christians today confront complex opposition to the gospel from intellectuals, skeptics, and pluralists who deny the divinity of Christ. But these are not new issues; the first-century church encountered similar challenges to their faith. How did the apostle Paul address these questions and doubts to effectively spread God’s word?
In these never-before-published lectures, originally given at Reformed Bible College and Moore College in 1978, renowned theologian J. I. Packer tackles common objections to Christianity—including secular humanism, pluralism, and universalism. By studying the evangelistic efforts of Paul and the early church, Packer skillfully preaches the glory of Christ crucified and helps students, pastors, and believers share their faith in an age of skepticism.
- 5 Vintage Lectures: Covering topics including Jesus’s humanity and divinity, substitutionary atonement, and the truth of Christ’s resurrection
- A Great Resource for Pastors and Thoughtful Christians: Provides gospel-centered answers to different worldviews including universalism, secular humanism, and pluralism
- From J. I. Packer: Prolific theologian and bestselling author of Knowing God
Hardcover, 168 pages
Publication Date: February 2024
Table of Contents
Outline
Publisher’s Preface
Chapter 1: We’ve a Story to Tell: We Preach Christ Crucified
Chapter 2: The Man Christ Jesus: The Humanity of Jesus Christ
Chapter 3: He Emptied Himself: The Divinity of Jesus Christ
Chapter 4: A Wonderful Exchange: The Work of Jesus Christ
Chapter 5: No Other Name: The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ
General Index
Scripture Index
Endorsements
“In 1978 J. I. Packer delivered these lectures at Reformed Bible College in Michigan then traveled to Australia to present the second series of Annual Moore College Lectures. So we have been waiting forty-five years for them to be published! However, precisely because of the long gap between delivery and publication, this book is able to challenge us powerfully about how far we have fallen from those days. These chapters remind us of vintage Packer: the calm and courteous style, the unrelenting focus on the Lord Jesus our Savior and faithfulness to the Scriptures, and an incisive perspective on the movements shaping the world in which we live as Christian disciples. This book is certainly worth reading, and I highly commend it.”
Mark D. Thompson, Principal, Moore Theological College
“J. I. Packer set a high standard for proclaiming the gospel of Christ. His arguments were gracious but never cowardly, strong but never strident, faithful but never repetitive. Now with the publication of his 1978 lectures, we are all enriched more deeply for ‘the defense and confirmation of the gospel’ (Phil. 1:7) in our generation.”
Ray Ortlund, President, Renewal Ministries
“In my youth, I was bombarded with teaching that denied the absolute uniqueness of Christ. We were told that such an assertion was based on a few proof texts which ran counter to the overall message of the Bible. At that time the writings and tape-recorded messages of J. I. Packer helped convince me that our affirmation of uniqueness was based primarily not only on a few proof texts, but upon the person and work of Christ who was the Creator’s answer to the dilemma faced by his creation. I’m so happy to see this material in circulation in a new format. The issue is even more critical today than it was in my youth. This robust exposition by Packer is both timely and powerfully convincing.”
Ajith Fernando, Teaching Director, Youth for Christ, Sri Lanka; author, Discipling in a Multicultural World
Author:
J. I. Packer (1926–2020) served as the Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology at Regent College. He authored numerous books, including the classic bestseller Knowing God. Packer also served as general editor for the English Standard Version Bible and as theological editor for the ESV Study Bible.
