Concise Theology (J. I. Packer)

Description

A Concise Introduction to Biblical Doctrine

"Theology is for doxology and devotion—that is,

the praise of God and the practice of godliness.”

—From the Preface

Theology is important for the Christian life. And though it is marked by many complex terms and doctrines, there is yet what J. I. Packer calls “the permanent essentials of Christianity.” This concise introduction to these essential doctrines distills theological truths so both scholar and layperson alike can grow to treasure the unchanging pillars of the Christian faith.

Each of the ninety-four chapters explores a different doctrine in a way that is easy to understand and rooted in historic Reformed teaching. As you learn more about the foundational teachings of the faith, you will grow in the knowledge of God and will worship him as your Creator, Redeemer, and sovereign Lord.

Table of Contents

Publisher's Foreword

Preface

Part 1: God Revealed as Creator

Chapter 1: Revelation: Scripture Is the Word of God 

Chapter 2: Interpretation: Christians Can Understand the Word of God 

Chapter 3: General Revelation: God’s Reality Is Known to All 

Chapter 4: Guilt: The Effect of General Revelation 

Chapter 5: Inward Witness: Scripture Is Authenticated by the Holy Spirit 

Chapter 6: Authority: God Governs His People through Scripture 

Chapter 7: Knowledge: True Knowledge of God Comes through Faith 

Chapter 8: Creation: God Is the Creator 

Chapter 9: Self-Disclosure: This Is My Name 

Chapter 10: Self-Existence: God Has Always Been 

Chapter 11: Transcendence: God’s Nature Is Spiritual 

Chapter 12: Omniscience: God Sees and Knows 

Chapter 13: Sovereignty: God Reigns 

Chapter 14: Almightiness: God Is Omnipresent and Omnipotent 

Chapter 15: Predestination: God Has a Purpose 

Chapter 16: Trinity: God Is One and Three 

Chapter 17: Holiness: God Is Light 

Chapter 18: Goodness: God Is Love 

Chapter 19: Wisdom: God’s Twofold Will Is One 

Chapter 20: Mystery: God Is Surpassingly Great 

Chapter 21: Providence: God Governs This World 

Chapter 22: Miracles: God Shows His Presence and Power

Chapter 23: Glory: God’s Glory-Showing Requires Glory-Giving

Chapter 24: Idolatry: God Demands Total Allegiance

Chapter 25: Angels: God Employs Supernatural Agents

Chapter 26: Demons: God Has Supernatural Opponents

Chapter 27: Satan: Fallen Angels Have a Leader 

Chapter 28: Humanness: God Made Human Beings in His Image

Chapter 29: Humankind: Humans Are Body and Soul, in Two Genders

Part 2: God Revealed as Redeemer

Chapter 30: The Fall: The First Human Couple Sinned

Chapter 31: Original Sin: Depravity Infects Everyone

Chapter 32: Inability: Fallen Human Beings Are Both Free and Enslaved

Chapter 33: Covenant: God Takes Sinful Humans into a Covenant of Grace

Chapter 34: Law: God Legislates, and Demands Obedience

Chapter 35: Law in Action: God’s Moral Law Has Three Purposes

Chapter 36: Conscience: God Teaches and Cleanses the Heart 

Chapter 37: Worship: God Gives a Liturgical Pattern

Chapter 38: Prophets: God Sent Messengers to Declare His Will

Chapter 39: Incarnation: God Sent His Son to Save Us

Chapter 40: Two Natures: Jesus Christ Is Fully Human

Chapter 41: Virgin Birth: Jesus Christ Was Born by Miracle

Chapter 42: Teacher: Jesus Christ Proclaimed God’s Kingdom and Family

Chapter 43: Sinlessness: Jesus Christ Was Entirely Free from Sin

Chapter 44: Obedience: Jesus Christ Fulfilled His Father’s Redemptive Will

Chapter 45: Vocation: Jesus Christ’s Mission Was Revealed at His Baptism

Chapter 46: Transfiguration: How Jesus Christ’s Glory Was Revealed

Chapter 47: Resurrection: Jesus Christ Was Raised from the Dead

Chapter 48: Ascension: Jesus Christ Was Taken Up into Heaven

Chapter 49: Session: Jesus Reigns in Heaven

Chapter 50: Mediation: Jesus Christ Is the Mediator between God and Man

Chapter 51: Sacrifice: Jesus Christ Made Atonement for Sin

Chapter 52: Definite Redemption: Jesus Christ Died for God’s Elect

Part 3: God Revealed as Lord of Grace 

Chapter 53: Paraclete: The Holy Spirit Ministers to Believers

Chapter 54: Salvation: Jesus Rescues His People from Sin

Chapter 55: Election: God Chooses His Own 

Chapter 56: Effectual Calling: God Draws His People to Himself

Chapter 57: Illumination: The Holy Spirit Gives Spiritual Understanding

Chapter 58: Regeneration: The Christian Is Born Again

Chapter 59: Works: Good Works Are an Expression of Faith

Chapter 60: Repentance: A Christian Changes Radically

Chapter 61: Justification: Salvation Is by Grace through Faith

Chapter 62: Adoption: God Makes His People His Children

Chapter 63: Sanctification: The Christian Grows in Grace

Chapter 64: Liberty: Salvation Brings Freedom 

Chapter 65: Legalism: Working for God’s Favor Forfeits It 

Chapter 66: Antinomianism: We Are Not Set Free to Sin

Chapter 67: Love: Loving Is Basic to Christian Behavior

Chapter 68: Hope: Hoping Is Basic to the Christian Outlook 

Chapter 69: Enterprise: A Christian Lives to Please God

Chapter 70: Prayer: Christians Practice Fellowship with God

Chapter 71: Oaths and Vows: Christians Must Be Truthful

Chapter 72: The Kingdom of God: Christians Must Manifest Kingdom Life

Chapter 73: Apostles: Jesus’s Representatives Exercised His Authority

Chapter 74: Church: God Plants His People in a New Community

Chapter 75: Word and Sacrament: How a Genuine Church Is Identified

Chapter 76: Elders: Pastors Must Care for the Church

Chapter 77: Sacraments: Christ Instituted Two Seals of God’s Covenant

Chapter 78: Baptism: This Rite Exhibits Union with Christ

Chapter 79: The Lord’s Supper: This Rite Exhibits Communion with Christ

Chapter 80: Discipline: The Church Must Uphold Christian Standards

Chapter 81: Mission: Christ Sends the Church into the World

Chapter 82: Spiritual Gifts: The Holy Spirit Equips the Church

Chapter 83: Marriage: Matrimony Is Meant to Be a Permanent Covenant Relationship

Chapter 84: The Family: The Christian Household Is a Spiritual Unit

Chapter 85: The World: Christians Are in Society to Serve and Transform It

Chapter 86: The State: Christians Must Respect Civil Government

Part 4: God Revealed as Lord of Destiny

Chapter 87: Perseverance: God Keeps His People Safe

Chapter 88: Unpardonable Sin: Only Impenitence Cannot Be Forgiven

Chapter 89: Mortality: Christians Need Not Fear Death

Chapter 90: Second Coming: Jesus Christ Will Return to the Earth in Glory

Chapter 91: General Resurrection: The Dead in Christ Will Rise in Glory

Chapter 92: Judgment Seat: God Will Judge All Mankind

Chapter 93: Hell: The Wicked Will Be Banished into Endless Misery

Chapter 94: Heaven: God Will Welcome His People into Everlasting Joy

General Index

Scripture Index

Endorsements

“J. I. Packer’s Concise Theology is the best simple guide to Christian doctrine that I know. Because it is systematic, precise, and saturated with Scripture, I often use this book to introduce young people and new believers to the basics of their faith.”

— Philip Graham Ryken, President, Wheaton College

“J. I. Packer has the gift to write theology that is simple without being superficial. Concise Theology puts the food on the bottom shelf where we can reach it, but to our delight, it is not sugar cookies but steak and potatoes for the soul.”

— Joel R. Beeke, President and Professor of Systematic Theology and Homiletics, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary; author, Reformed Preaching; coauthor, Reformed Systematic Theology

“Concise Theology is poetry to Christian ears: the best words in the best order about the best news there is—the gospel of grace poured out in Jesus Christ. Packer here sets forth with lucid brevity everything Christians need to know to become biblically literate and to grow in wisdom and understanding. Doctrine and doxology here walk hand in hand. I am delighted to see this new edition, for Packer’s description of the ‘permanent essentials’ of the Christian faith remains as relevant today as when this book was first published.”

— Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Research Professor of Systematic Theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“J. I. Packer is one of our greatest theologians and he does something remarkable in this classic compendium: he illuminates the deep things of God in lucid language that makes sense. I have had this volume at hand for nearly three decades, and I welcome this new edition.”

— Timothy George, Distinguished Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University

“Although this book was published decades ago, its introduction to Christian theology remains focused, clear, and especially valuable for its deep immersion in the biblical record. J. I. Packer's ‘concise theology’ is, as he states forthrightly, reformational and evangelical, which means that some readers will be Bereans checking the Scriptures to see ‘if these things are so.’ All, however, should find the book valuable for illumination and understanding but even more for doxology and devotion.”

— Mark A. Noll, author, Jesus Christ and the Life of the Mind

Product Details

Author: J. I. Packer

Format: Hardcover w/ Jacket

Page Count: 304

Size: 22.3 x 15.0 x 2.5 cm

ISBN: 9781433569548

Published: August 04, 2020