I listen to a LOT of podcasts, and among my favorites are the author interviews in which the host dives into the story behind the book. I’m in awe of people with the tenacity and optimism required to see a book project all the way through to its completion.
Maybe you would define success by a different rubric. Even so, whether it’s a batting average, degrees earned, an income level attained, or the number of weeks on the NYT best-seller list, we all have our way of defining and measuring success.
That’s fine when I use that standard to choose a podcast to listen to or a book to read.
When I turn it into a yardstick for determining my own value, that’s another story…
We all have our way of defining and measuring success. That’s fine when I use that standard to choose a podcast to listen to or a book to read. When I turn it into a yardstick for determining my own value, that’s another story…
Tweet
Somehow, J.I. Packer managed to rise above the noise of our enculturated standards of success. In reading Leland Ryken’s excellent biography (J.I. Packer: An Evangelical Life), I was surprised to learn that Packer endured numerous setbacks in his professional life that kept him from achieving some of the markers of “success” common among men in his field.
He never held a high-visibility academic post or a posh pulpit. Even so, his words and his work reached around the world through his writing and speaking ministry. In fact, his best-known book, Knowing God, has sold over a million copies.
Although his ministry roots were sunk deeply into the local church, Packer’s career centered around academia. He never shied away from controversial issues, and despite being British-born and trained, his work is best-known in North America, where he spent his final years teaching theology at Regent College, serving in an advisory capacity to Christianity Today magazine, and writing prolifically. Ryken refers to Packer as a “spokesman for the ordinary person,” noting that even though his deep study and sharp intellect might have qualified him to write for an academic audience, he consciously chose to write mid-level scholarship for the general Christian public.
At 431 pages, this is a biography for the committed reader, and yet my interest never flagged for a moment. I especially appreciated Ryken’s unique organization of his material, with chronological data first and then a section covering major themes that emerged in Packer’s life story.
J.I. Packer’s real success lay in his faithfulness to the calling God had placed upon his life. His habits of personal holiness and his biblical fidelity gave shape to a remarkable life that managed to be both widely influential and yet quietly faithful.
What Other Reviewers Are Saying
“This book is a fascinating, insightful, and, to my mind, precisely accurate portrait of the same Jim Packer whom I have known for more than thirty-five years. What a joy to read this book and be challenged by Packer’s remarkable life!”
―Wayne Grudem, Distinguished Research Professor of Theology and Biblical Studies, Phoenix Seminary
“A friendly portrait of a great evangelical, the man behind the headlines, full of insight into Packer’s genius as a brilliant communicator of the Reformed faith.”
– Andrew Atherstone, tutor and Latimer Research Fellow, Wycliffe Hall, University of Oxford”
Holding You in the Light,
At 431 pages, Leland Ryken’s biography of J.I. Packer is for the committed reader, and yet my interest never flagged for a moment—a widely influential yet quietly faithful life. @crossway #jipacker
Tweet
Free Encouragement in Your Inbox!
On the third Thursday of every month, I send a newsletter with biblical encouragement straight to my subscribers’ email inboxes. Frequently, I share free resources, and the newsletter is where everything lands first.
CLICK HERE to read my most recent newsletter where you’ll be given the opportunity to subscribe. I’m committed to the truth that women can become confident followers of God and students of his Word, and I want to help you along that path.
Looking for Challenging Devotional Reading that Encourages You to Seek Intimacy with God Every Day?
As you know, I’m committed to the truth that women can become confident followers of God and students of his Word, and it’s my goal to help you along that path. At Living Our Days, I provide biblical content and resources to encourage biblical literacy and faithful living, and now I’m sharing devotional content on the YouVersion app. Visit my profile page to get free access to the reading plans!
I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees. If you should decide to purchase any of the books or products I’ve shared, simply click on the book title, and you’ll be taken directly to the seller. If you decide to buy, I’ll receive a few pennies at no extra cost to you.
Many thanks to Crossway for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.
Living Our Days 
This sounds like a great book! I read Knowing God but don’t know much about Packer beyond that. I love hearing the story behind a book, too.
LikeLike
I didn’t know about his background either. So fascinating!
LikeLike
Dera Michele, You always take us deeper. And in these days of fast skims through vast amounts of material, you give us cause for pause.
Thank you, friend, for always keeping the bar high. Sabbath blessings to you and your gang.
LikeLike
Thank you for pausing with me today!
LikeLike