Knowing God by J. I. Packer: Chapter 1

Who Needs Theology?

But wait a minute," says someone, "tell me this. Is our journey really necessary? In Spurgeon's day, we know, people found theology interesting, but I find it boring. Why need anyone take time off today for the kind of study you propose? Surely a layperson, at any rate, can get on without it? After all, this is the twentieth century, not the nineteenth!"

A fair question!—but there is, I think, a convincing answer to it. The questioner clearly assumes that a study of the nature and character of God will be impractical and irrelevant for life. In fact, however, it is the most practical project anyone can engage in. Knowing about God is crucially important for the living of our lives. As it would be cruel to an Amazonian tribesman to fly him to London, put him down without explanation in Trafalgar Square and leave him, as one who knew nothing of English or England, to fend for himself, so we are cruel to ourselves if we try to live in this world without knowing about the God whose world it is and who runs it. The world becomes a strange, mad, painful place, and life in it a disappointing and unpleasant business, for those who do not know about God. Disregard the study of God, and you sentence yourself to stumble and blunder through life blindfolded, as it were, with no sense of direction and no understanding of what surrounds you. This way you can waste your life and lose your soul.

Biblical Inerrancy and Fuller Seminary

Randy Alcorn's second response to inerrancy and Fuller Seminary

What do you want your readers to take away from If God Is Good?

In If God Is Good, I appeal to unbelievers and believers alike to consider these questions: Why is there so much good in the world? Why do the great majority of suffering people want to go on living nonetheless? Is evil and suffering just bad luck, or is there a rational explanation for it? Is there a redemptive purpose for it? Can we as hurting people, and as those trying to help hurting people, find perspectives that recognize the full force of evil and suffering, yet offer hope? I suggest the answer is yes.

The Passion of Jesus Christ: Fifty Reasons Why He Came to Die

In his heart-wrenching, innocence-shattering, mouth-shutting book Night, Elie Wiesel tells of his experience as a teenager with his father in the concentration camps of Auschwitz, Buna, and Buchenwald.

God’s Kingdom Advances Even When Man’s Powers Decline

•  Priority One: Seek God Himself first and we will find that God’s provision, guidance, and grace is sufficient for us.

• Focus on nurturing our faith in Christ, trusting He is present with us, and we will receive discernment we need to follow and fulfill His purposes, regardless of the circumstances.

• Hungering for God through fasting and prayer together invites God to replace our fear and anxiety with faith and confidence in His presence and provision.

What happened after Jesus died?

We know from Jesus’ statement to the thief that when one dies they enter the presence of God immediately. Luke 23:42 states, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” This statement also tells us that Jesus went to His Father upon death.

Do human beings really have free will? How does that fit with God’s sovereignty?

God is not the author of evil. Neither, however, is He ever the victim of evil. His hands are never tied by evil. He's never painted into a corner by evil. When Jesus went to the cross He didn't fall into Satan's trap—Satan fell into His. Wills were being exercised, but men weren't calling the shots—God was.

Good News: God Forgives

The forgiveness of God is a prominent theme throughout Scripture, one that should invoke from us expressions of wonder and praise. Here is a passage from the Old Testament. There are countless others throughout the Bible.

Summary of and Response to some of the false claims in The Da Vinci Code

List of falsehoods in "The Divinci Code", from Josh McDowell's book: The Da Vinci Code - A Quest for Answers.

Randy’s Response to a Former Professor’s Critique of Heaven

I value criticism, and take it seriously. Often my immediate response is “he’s right; I’ll change that.” The three theologians who went over early manuscripts had a great deal of helpful input. Since publication, a dozen people’s input has prompted me to make a few dozen changes, mostly small but some significant, that will appear in future revisions. I always feel good about doing this. Iron sharpens iron, and I believe I’m accountable for my words and want to do the best I can to be true to Scripture. That’s why I asked people to come to me in light of Acts 17:11 and 1 Thessalonians 5:21. It’s my longing to be true to Scripture. I know you share the same desire.