Key Takeaways
1. The Study of God is Life's Highest Pursuit
The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father.
Practical importance. Studying God is not a dry academic exercise but the most practical project one can undertake. Ignorance of God leads to a life of stumbling and blundering, making the world seem strange, painful, and ultimately meaningless. Knowing God provides direction and understanding, preventing a wasted life and lost soul.
Humbles and expands. Contemplating God's vastness humbles the mind, drowning pride in His immensity. Simultaneously, it expands the intellect, offering a broader perspective than merely focusing on earthly concerns. This profound study also brings immense consolation, offering balm for every wound and quietus for every grief.
Ultimate aim. The ultimate aim in studying God must be to know God Himself better, not merely to accumulate theological knowledge. Such knowledge, pursued for its own sake, leads to pride and conceit. True knowledge of God comes through meditation on His truth, leading to prayer, praise, and communion with Him.
2. Knowing God Transforms Our Being
A little knowledge of God is worth more than a great deal of knowledge about him.
Beyond mere facts. Many evangelicals possess extensive knowledge about God and godliness, yet lack a vivid, transformative experience of God. This distinction is crucial, as intellectual understanding alone does not equate to a deep, personal relationship. True knowledge of God impacts one's entire being.
Evidence of knowing God. Those who genuinely know God exhibit distinct characteristics. They possess great energy for God, expressed primarily through fervent prayer and a readiness to act against ungodliness, even at personal risk. They also hold great thoughts of God, recognizing His holy majesty, moral perfection, and gracious faithfulness.
Boldness and contentment. Knowing God instills great boldness, enabling individuals to stand firm in their convictions regardless of opposition or personal cost. Furthermore, it brings profound contentment, a peace rooted in the assurance of God's unwavering favor and care, making earthly losses seem insignificant in comparison to what has been gained. This contentment banishes brooding over "might-have-beens."
3. Idolatry Distorts Our View of God
To follow the imagination of one’s heart in the realm of theology is the way to remain ignorant of God, and to become an idol-worshiper—the idol in this case being a false mental image of God, made by one’s own speculation and imagination.
Second Commandment's scope. The second commandment prohibits not only the worship of false gods but also the worship of the true God through images. This extends beyond physical idols to mental images, as any human-conceived representation inevitably distorts God's true nature. Such images dishonor God by obscuring His glory and mislead us by conveying false ideas about Him.
Images conceal truth. Physical images, like Aaron's golden calf or a crucifix, fail to represent God's moral character, deity, or victory. They highlight human weakness or strength but never the full, transcendent glory of the Creator. God's "jealousy" in this context is His zeal to maintain His own glory, which is jeopardized when images are used in worship.
Mental idols. Speculative theology, which relies on philosophical reasoning rather than biblical revelation, creates mental idols. Thinking of God "as I like to think of Him" rather than as He has revealed Himself is a breach of the second commandment. The positive thrust of this commandment is to compel us to derive our understanding of God solely from His holy Word, recognizing His inscrutable transcendence.
4. The Incarnation: God Made Man for Our Salvation
Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as is this truth of the Incarnation.
Supreme mystery. The Incarnation—God made man in Jesus of Nazareth—is the most staggering claim of Christianity, surpassing the mysteries of atonement or resurrection. It involves the plurality of persons within God and the union of full Godhead and full manhood in one person, Jesus. Once grasped, it makes sense of all other gospel difficulties.
The Word became flesh. John's Gospel meticulously explains Jesus' unique divine Sonship, identifying Him as the eternal Word of God. This Word:
- Was in the beginning (eternal)
- Was with God (personal)
- Was God (divine)
- Created all things (creator)
- Was life (animating)
- Was light (revealing)
- Became flesh (incarnate)
This means the baby in Bethlehem was God Himself, who also became truly human, experiencing human limitations and temptations without ceasing to be divine.
Born to die. The Incarnation was an act of profound condescension and self-humbling, not a reduction of deity. Jesus "emptied himself" not of divine attributes, but of divine glory and dignity, for our salvation. His life was driven by the resolve to die on the cross, tasting God's wrath for our sins, making propitiation, and thereby reconciling us to God.
5. The Holy Spirit: God's Indwelling Guide
For without the Holy Spirit there would be no gospel, no faith, no church, no Christianity in the world at all.
The neglected Comforter. The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, is often neglected in Christian thought and practice, despite His indispensable role. Jesus promised "another Comforter" (Counselor, Helper, Advocate) to continue His ministry, revealing the Spirit as a divine person sent by both the Father and the Son.
Essential ministry. The Spirit's work is foundational to Christianity:
- No gospel/New Testament: He taught the apostles all truth and inspired them to communicate it, ensuring the accuracy of the gospel message and the Scriptures.
- No faith/Christians: He illuminates blinded hearts, enabling sinners to see the truth of the gospel and believe in Christ. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.
Honoring the Spirit. To honor the Holy Spirit means acknowledging and relying on His work. This involves reverently accepting the Bible as His inspired Word, living by its authority, and trusting Him to authenticate our witness, rather than relying on human cleverness. Neglecting the Spirit dishonors Christ who sent Him.
6. God's Unchanging Majesty Demands Awe
Our thoughts of God are not great enough; we fail to reckon with the reality of his limitless wisdom and power.
Immutable God. God does not change in His life, character, truth, ways, purposes, or His Son. This immutability is the crucial link between believers across all ages, assuring us that the God of the Bible is the same God we deal with today. He is eternally perfect, never growing older or changing for better or worse.
Majesty revealed. To grasp God's greatness, we must remove limits from our thoughts of Him and compare Him with forces we deem great. Psalm 139 reveals His unlimited presence, knowledge, and power, while Isaiah 40 contrasts Him with nations, the world, its rulers, and the stars, showing them as nothing in comparison to His immeasurable might. He is the Creator, Lord, and Judge of all.
Response to majesty. Our response to God's majesty should involve:
- Correcting wrong thoughts: Acknowledging His limitless wisdom and power, rather than limiting Him to human scale.
- Rejecting unbelief: Trusting that God has not forgotten or abandoned us, despite our feelings.
- Believing His nature: Recognizing that the everlasting God neither faints nor grows weary, shaming our slowness to believe in His majesty.
7. God's Wisdom Orders All Things for Our Good
God’s wisdom is not, and never was, pledged to keep a fallen world happy, or to make ungodliness comfortable.
Wisdom defined. Biblical wisdom is a moral and intellectual quality: the power to discern and choose the best and highest goal, along with the surest means to attain it. In God, wisdom is allied with omnipotence, meaning His infinite power is always ruled by infinite wisdom, making Him utterly trustworthy.
God's purpose. God's wisdom is not aimed at making life trouble-free, but at a higher purpose: to bring a great host of humanity to love and honor Him, ultimately leading them to a state of perfect praise and joy in His love. His immediate objectives include drawing individuals into faith, defending His people, and spreading the gospel through Christ.
Wisdom in trials. God wisely orders human lives, often using hardship to teach lessons like patience, humility, and dependence on Him. Our perplexing trials are meant to make something of us we haven't yet attained, drawing us closer to Him and preparing us for service. We must trust His wisdom even when we cannot discern His path, knowing He works all things for good.
8. God's Holy Love and Grace Redeem Sinners
God loves creatures who have become unlovely and (one would have thought) unlovable.
God is love. John's statement "God is love" is a profound summary of His nature, understood in conjunction with "God is spirit" (implying His non-material, unchanging, and deliberate nature) and "God is light" (implying His holiness and moral purity). God's love is holy love, stern in its pursuit of holiness for the beloved, not an indulgent softness.
Grace defined. God's grace is His spontaneous, self-determined love freely shown toward guilty sinners, contrary to their merit and in defiance of their demerit. It is God's goodness extended to those who deserve only severity. This grace is not a vague good will but a particularized purpose of love, formed before creation, to bless specific individuals.
Grace in action. God's love identifies with our welfare, binding His own happiness to ours, and was supremely expressed in the gift of His Son as Savior. Christ's death on the cross is the crowning proof of God's boundless love, making propitiation for our sins. This grace brings us into a covenant relationship with God, promising immeasurable blessings now and for eternity.
9. God's Righteous Judgment is Inescapable
Moral indifference would be an imperfection in God, not a perfection.
God as Judge. The Bible consistently presents God as Judge, a person of supreme authority, identified with what is good and right, possessing perfect wisdom to discern truth, and power to execute sentence. This is not a repellent idea but a necessary aspect of His moral perfection. His judgment is always righteous and retributive.
Retribution's reality. Retribution—rendering to persons what they deserve—is an inescapable moral law of creation. God will ensure that all wrongs are righted, either in this life or the next. The New Testament intensifies this theme, proclaiming a coming day of universal judgment where Jesus Christ, the world's Savior, will also be its divinely appointed Judge.
Choosing judgment. God's wrath is His holy revulsion against sin, a right and necessary reaction to objective moral evil. It is judicial, always administering justice, with punishment proportioned to individual desert. Ultimately, people choose God's wrath for themselves by rejecting the light of Christ, and God's judicial action ratifies their self-chosen separation from Him.
10. Adoption: The Christian's Supreme Privilege
To be right with God the Judge is a great thing, but to be loved and cared for by God the Father is a greater.
Sonship by grace. Sonship to God is not a universal status but a supernatural gift received through faith in Jesus Christ, a new birth, not a natural one. It is an adoptive sonship, where God takes us into His family as His children and heirs, a privilege higher than justification due to the intimate, loving relationship it entails.
Family relationship. God's fatherhood, revealed through Jesus, implies:
- Authority: The Father commands, and children obey.
- Affection: God loves His adopted sons as He loves His only-begotten Son.
- Fellowship: God is always with His children.
- Honor: God exalts His children to share Christ's glory.
This relationship is absolutely stable and secure, as God is a perfect Father who never casts off His children.
Basis for life. Adoption is the controlling thought for the entire Christian life, shaping conduct, prayer, and faith. It motivates "gospel holiness"—living out our filial relationship by imitating, glorifying, and pleasing the Father. It also underpins Christian prayer, allowing bold access to a Father who knows our needs, and sustains the life of faith by assuring us of His provision.
11. God's Adequacy Sustains Us Through All Trials
Your God is faithful to you, and he is adequate for you.
Romans 8's riches. Romans 8, the high peak of Romans, offers profound comfort and assurance, addressing predicaments like sin's guilt and power, death, fear of God's holiness, suffering, and despair. It highlights four gifts: righteousness, the Holy Spirit, sonship, and eternal security, all supporting the Christian through any trouble.
God is for us. Paul's triumphant declaration, "If God is for us, who is against us?" (Romans 8:31), asserts God's covenant commitment as our sovereign protector. This means no opposition can finally crush us, as God, the almighty Creator and faithful covenant-keeper, is irrevocably on our side, upholding and providing for us. This truth counters fear of human or demonic opposition.
No good thing withheld. God's ultimate gift of His Son for our redemption guarantees that no good thing will be withheld from us. Christ's costly death secured not just forgiveness, but "all things" necessary for our eternal happiness and glory. This assurance counters the fear of loss or impoverishment in discipleship, proclaiming God's complete adequacy as our benefactor.
No separation. The climactic question, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" (Romans 8:35), affirms that no accusation or cosmic force can ever disinherit us. God's justifying verdict is final, and His sovereign love holds us fast. This truth provides ultimate assurance, freeing us from fear of the unknown and enabling us to live as "more than conquerors" in Christ.
Review Summary
Knowing God is widely praised as a foundational Christian text, offering deep theological insights in an accessible manner. Readers appreciate Packer's ability to combine doctrine with practical application, addressing complex topics like God's attributes, salvation, and the Christian life. Many consider it a must-read, noting its impact on their spiritual growth and understanding of God. The book is particularly commended for its chapters on adoption and God's guidance. Reviewers often mention rereading it multiple times, finding new insights with each revisit.
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FAQ
What’s [Knowing God] by [J.I. Packer] about?
- Core focus on God: [Knowing God] is a series of studies on the nature, character, and attributes of God, aiming to help Christians move from knowing about God to truly knowing Him personally.
- Structure and purpose: The book is divided into three parts: the hows and whys of knowing God, the attributes of God, and the benefits enjoyed by God’s children.
- Addressing modern challenges: Packer responds to contemporary skepticism and the diminishing of God’s majesty, seeking to restore a biblical understanding of God’s sovereignty, love, justice, and grace.
- Practical theology: The book is written for “travelers” seeking practical guidance for living in relationship with God, not just theoretical knowledge.
Why should I read [Knowing God] by [J.I. Packer]?
- Spiritual depth and clarity: The book is considered a contemporary classic, offering profound spiritual wisdom and helping readers grasp that knowing God’s Word is the most direct route to knowing God.
- Balances doctrine and experience: It integrates deep theological insight with practical application, encouraging readers to grow in both knowledge and relationship with God.
- Addresses spiritual weakness: Packer believes ignorance of God is the root of the church’s weakness, and his book aims to nurture faith and restore spiritual vitality.
- Enduring impact: Many readers find it life-changing, shaping their understanding of God and their faith journey.
What are the key takeaways from [Knowing God] by [J.I. Packer]?
- Knowing God is relational: True knowledge of God involves a personal relationship, not just intellectual assent or information.
- God’s attributes matter: Understanding God’s sovereignty, love, justice, holiness, and grace is essential for a robust Christian faith.
- Scripture is foundational: The Bible is God’s primary means of revealing Himself and guiding believers.
- Practical transformation: Theological knowledge should lead to worship, prayer, obedience, and a transformed life.
What does [Knowing God] by [J.I. Packer] say about the difference between knowing God and knowing about God?
- Personal relationship emphasized: Packer stresses that knowing God is a personal, relational experience, not just intellectual knowledge.
- Involvement of mind, will, and emotions: True knowledge of God engages the whole person—mind, will, and feelings—similar to a deep friendship.
- God’s initiative: Knowing God is possible because God first knows and draws us by His grace.
- Transformation over information: The goal is a living relationship that changes how we live, not just accumulating facts about God.
What are the five foundational principles of knowledge about God in [Knowing God] by [J.I. Packer]?
- God speaks through the Bible: The Bible is God’s authoritative Word, given to make us wise unto salvation.
- God is sovereign Lord and Savior: He rules all things for His glory and rescues believers through Jesus Christ.
- God is triune: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work together in salvation, each fully divine yet distinct.
- Godliness is a response: True religion means responding to God’s revelation with trust, obedience, worship, and service.
- Life in God’s Word: Living in the light of God’s Word is the essence of authentic Christian faith.
How does [Knowing God] by [J.I. Packer] describe the nature and character of God?
- Incommunicable attributes: God is self-existent, infinite, eternal, unchangeable, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent, setting Him apart from creation.
- Moral perfections: God is holy, loving, merciful, truthful, faithful, good, patient, just, and jealous for His glory.
- Majesty and wisdom: God’s majesty is His greatness and worthiness of worship; His wisdom is always perfectly exercised for the best ends.
- Goodness and severity: God’s character includes both abundant goodness and righteous severity in judgment against sin.
What does [Knowing God] by [J.I. Packer] teach about the Trinity?
- One God in three persons: The Trinity is explained as one God in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each fully divine and distinct.
- Biblical foundation: The book draws on passages like John’s Gospel to show the roles of the Son and the Holy Spirit in God’s work.
- Spirit’s vital role: The Holy Spirit is essential for the gospel, inspiring the apostles, convicting the world, and empowering believers.
- Unity in salvation: The Father, Son, and Spirit work together in the salvation of believers.
How does [Knowing God] by [J.I. Packer] explain the Incarnation and its significance?
- Central Christian mystery: The Incarnation is the truth that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, a foundational mystery of the Christian faith.
- Purpose of the Incarnation: Jesus became man to save sinners, humbling Himself to death on the cross and demonstrating God’s grace and love.
- Rejection of kenosis theory: Packer affirms that Jesus retained full deity while submitting to the Father’s will, rejecting the idea that He emptied Himself of divine attributes.
- Basis for salvation: The Incarnation undergirds all other gospel truths and is essential for understanding redemption.
What is the doctrine of propitiation in [Knowing God] by [J.I. Packer]?
- Central to the gospel: Propitiation is the appeasement of God’s wrath through Christ’s sacrificial death, a core element of the Christian message.
- God’s initiative: God Himself provides the means of propitiation by setting forth Jesus as the sacrifice, demonstrating both justice and mercy.
- Difference from expiation: Propitiation includes both the removal of sin and the pacifying of God’s wrath, while expiation only covers the removal of sin.
- Assurance for believers: This doctrine assures believers that God’s justice is satisfied and they are fully accepted in Christ.
How does [Knowing God] by [J.I. Packer] describe the Christian’s adoption as a child of God?
- Adoption as highest privilege: Adoption is presented as the greatest privilege of the gospel, surpassing even justification, because it makes believers God’s children and heirs.
- New relationship: Adoption brings an intimate relationship with God as Father, marked by authority, affection, fellowship, and honor.
- Basis for Christian life: The entire Christian life—prayer, faith, holiness, and assurance—is to be understood in terms of adoption and sonship.
- Modeled on Christ: The believer’s relationship with God is modeled on Jesus’ own relationship with the Father.
What practical guidance does [Knowing God] by [J.I. Packer] offer about divine guidance for Christians?
- God’s plan and communication: God has an eternal plan for each believer and communicates His will through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and providence.
- Scripture as primary guide: The main way God guides is through rational understanding and application of His Word, not mystical experiences apart from Scripture.
- Common pitfalls: Christians often err by refusing to think, neglecting advice, or seeking shortcuts; true guidance requires thought, prayer, and humility.
- Balanced approach: Guidance involves weighing consequences, seeking counsel, and patiently waiting on God’s timing.
What practical impact should knowing God have on a believer’s life according to [Knowing God] by [J.I. Packer]?
- Motivation for prayer and obedience: True knowledge of God energizes believers to pray and live godly lives, as seen in biblical examples.
- Confidence and peace: Knowing God as Father and Redeemer brings peace, boldness, and assurance, enabling believers to face trials without fear.
- Holiness and zeal: God’s love and jealousy inspire believers to pursue holiness and a passionate commitment to God’s glory.
- Enduring through hardship: Understanding God’s adequacy and covenant faithfulness provides security and joy, even amid suffering and discipline.
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