J.I. Packer

On July 18, 2020July 18, 2020 By BrianIn Biography/History

Packer

Another Christian giant has fallen – or better – been taken to be with his Lord, passing away July 17, 2020. He had an early impact on me through his book, Knowing God, which I read as a teen. Rediscovering Holiness and The Quest For Godliness helped to teach me that salvation was meant to change your life. More recently, Grounded in the Gospel, which he co-authored with Gary Parrett, helped me better think through Christian education. I thank the Lord for him.

Here is a short biography, a few other tributes, and a collection of quotes:

J. I. Packer (1926–2020) – Justin Taylor

J. I. Packer: A Personal Appreciation – Ray Ortlund

J. I. Packer’s Final Words to the Church – Ivan Mesa (TGC)

10 Things You Should Know about J. I. Packer – Leland Ryken (Crossway)

40 Quotes from J. I. Packer (1926–2020) – Matt Smethurst (TGC)

Current

On November 13, 2019November 13, 2019 By BrianIn Current Collection

Here are some helpful posts on some recent books related to abuse:

Rachael Denhollander: Abuse Does Not Get the Final Word – Justin Holcomb (TGC)

What Is a Girl Worth? – Tim Challies

The Creaking on the Stairs – Tim Challies

Books Collection

On March 13, 2019March 11, 2019 By BrianIn Book Look, PASSION Collections

Here are some good posts about reading books:

8 Ways to Read (a Lot) More Books This Year – Neil Pasricha (HBR)

10 Tips For Reading In 2019 – Jon Coombs

How to Remember What You Read – David Qaoud (GR)

5 Questions to Ask of a Book – Tim Challies

Book Collection

On January 30, 2019 By BrianIn Book Look, PASSION Collections

This is a bit late, but here are the top five books I read in 2018, followed by links to other best books of 2018 posts. You are bound to find some good suggestions.

My Top Five Books

1. Faithfulness and Holiness – J. I. Packer & J. C. Ryle

2. How Should We Develop Biblical Friendship – Michael Haykin & Joel Beeke

3. Reset – David Murray

4. The Rest of God – Mark Buchanan

5. The Art of Rest – Adam Mabry

Other Lists

Tim Challies (includes lists from several bloggers)

Happy reading!

Book Collection

On January 24, 2018 By BrianIn Book Look, PASSION Collections

I’m a bit late this year, but here are several “best books of 2017” posts. With a great variety of categories, there is something for everyone. If you are looking for some good books to read this year, check out these lists.

2017 TGC Book Awards

Christianity Today’s 2018 Book Awards

Best Books of 2017 – Kevin DeYoung

Top 17 Books of 2017 – Tony Reinke

My Top Books of 2017 – Jared Wilson

The Collected Best Christian Books of 2017 – Tim Challies

One of my top books for 2017, that showed up a few times on the above lists, is David Murray’s book Reset which I highly recommend (even passed out a few).

For youth, Jaquelle Crowe’s book This Changes Everything also showed up several times. I am taking our youth group through it right now.

For children you might try Trillia Newbell’s God’s Very Good Idea which is also on numerous lists.

A few others that are now on my reading list include This Is Our Time by Trevin Wax, The Story of Reality by Greg Koukl, Recapturing the Wonder by Mike Cosper, and The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing: A Theological Commentary by Jonathan Pennington.

And if you want to know in general what not to read, you might check out Tim Challies’ new post: A Guided Tour to 2017’s Bestselling Christian Books. Surely we can do better.