Jim Packer has been a doughty defender of the infallible and inerrant Scriptures since the publication of his first book, Fundamentalism and the Word of God, way back in 1958. (I remember how eagerly I read it as a young minister trained in a Liberal college). This new compilation brings together twenty-three previously published articles on the same topic. Each and every one of them is a cogent and engaging defence of the authority of the Bible. Packer’s lively and engaging style is evident on every page. It is divided into three main sections: God’s Inerrant Word, Interpreting the Word and Preaching the Word. He tackles basic topics like the unity of Scripture, the place of Reason, Jesus’ understanding of the Law of God, Creation, Women, Eschatology (including a robust chapter on “Let’s stop making Women Presbyters”!). And the final section is worth its weight in gold to any preacher who wants to understand his craft better.
Much of Packer’s work has been in the essay form, but is nonetheless welcome for that. Here is a book which undergirds and strengthens our evangelical faith.
Review: Rev Brian Butler