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Tag: Dr. J. I. Packer

J. I. Packer on Propitiation

April 12, 2025 / / 0 Comments

“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Cor. 5:21 (NASB)

Just recently I came across a very fine quote from Dr. J. I. Packer that I had copied out of his book, Knowing God, quite a long time ago. Packer sets forth–in classic Reformed style–the doctrine of propitiation in the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ. The word propitiation (Gk. hilasterion) refers to the satisfaction of the wrath of God through the death of Christ (See: Rom. 3:25; Heb. 2:17; 1 Jn. 2:2; 1 Jn. 4:10). In short, Jesus becomes sin for his people and satisfies the divine wrath of our Holy God. In addition, he gives to them his righteousness in a “double imputation.” Consider Packer’s explanation of propitiation:

Dr. J.. I. Packer (1926-2020)

“The basic description of the saving death of Christ in the Bible is as a propitiation, that is, as that which quenched God’s wrath against us by obliterating our sins from His sight. God’s wrath is His righteousness reacting against our unrighteousness; it shows retributive justice. But Jesus Christ has shielded us from the nightmare prospect of retributive justice, in obedience to His Father’s will, and receiving the wages of sin in our place. By this means justice has been done, for the sins of all that will ever be pardoned were judged and punished in the person of God the Son, and it is on this basis that pardon is now offered to us offenders. Redeeming love and retributive justice joined hands, so to speak, at Calvary, for there God showed Himself to be ‘just, and the justifier of him that hath faith in Jesus.’ Do you understand this? If you do, you are now seeing to the very heart of the Christian gospel.”

— Dr. J. I. Packer, Knowing God, 170

Packer’s quote is an excellent reminder to us of the redemptive work that Jesus Christ accomplishes for the sake of his people. The Apostle Paul puts it this way, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us–for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.'” Therefore, let us give praise and thanks to Almighty God for sending forth his Son to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. Jesus, by his sacrificial work on the Cross, makes it possible for us to escape the retributive justice of God and live as those who have been redeemed. Soli Deo Gloria!

— Dr. Marcus J. Serven

Here are three of J. I. Packer’s books that I deeply treasure. “Knowing God” is preeminent.

Source: Packer, James I. Knowing God. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1973. 

J. I. Packer on God’s School of Holiness

October 1, 2024 /

“You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16

I found myself strongly moved by this quote on the doctrine of sanctification by Dr. J. I. Packer. Read it for yourself and see if it ministers to you as it did for me.

Dr. J. I. Packer (1926-2020)

“In God’s school of holiness our Lord Jesus Christ (the Father’s Son and the Christian’s Savior) is with us, and we with him, in a controlling relationship of master and servant, leader and follower, teacher and student. It is crucially important to appreciate this. Why is it that in the school of holiness, as in the schools to which we send our own children, some move ahead faster than others? How are the different rates of progress to be explained? Fundamentally, the factor that makes the difference is neither one’s intelligence quotient, nor the number of books one has read nor the conferences, camps and seminars one has attended, but the quality of the fellowship with Christ that one maintains through life’s vicissitudes. Jesus is risen. He is alive and well. Through his word and Spirit he calls us to himself today, to receive him as our Savior and Lord and become his disciples and followers. Speaking objectively—with reference to how things really are, as distinct from how they might feel at any particular moment—the “there-ness” of Jesus, and the personal nature of his relationship with us as his disciples, are as truly matters of fact as were his bodily presence and his words of comfort and command when he walked this earth long ago. Some, however, do not reckon with this fact as robustly and practically as others do. That is what makes the difference.”

— J. I. Packer, Rediscovering Holiness, 17-18  

Essentially, Dr. Packer asserts that the predominant element in our sanctification is the fellowship that we enjoy with the living Lord. We can have every confidence in knowing that our relationship with Christ is secure, and we thank God for that! We need to realize, however, that our fellowship with Him waxes and wanes throughout the course of our life. This is why “the “there-ness” of Jesus, and the personal nature of his relationship with us as his disciples, are as truly matters of fact as were his bodily presence and his words of comfort and command when he walked this earth long ago.” Praise be to God for Dr. Packer’s stirring words!

Moreover, the Lord does not leave us bereft of resources to strengthen us for the trials and tribulations of this world. He gives us a number of significant resources and remedies (i.e. the “means of grace”) to encourage us in our fellowship with Him. These “means of grace” are: (1) the Word of God; (2) the Sacraments (in particular our ongoing participation in the Lord’s Supper); and (3) the practice of prayer (See: Westminster Shorter Catechism #88). Each one of these “means of grace” are beneficial remedies to depression, despair, and discouragement. Each one is a spiritual discipline that we should cultivate for our own good. God has given them to us so that we can be strong and resilient Christians. By faith, let us make the effort. I believe you will be glad you did!

— Dr. Marcus J. Serven

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