A Quest for Godliness: The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life

The author of the epistle to the Hebrews exhorts the readers in the last chapter to "remember" their leaders, "consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith." There is a value, great value in learning biography of great servants of God in the past, the giants of Christianity; some of whom are the Puritans, whose theology and lifestyle are still relevant to this day, in our days when it is getting real difficult to define and find what and where true Christianity is. Professor Packer has done a superb work in expounding Puritan themes on doctrines, practical theology, which Perkins defines as "the science of living blessedly forever. Blessed life ariseth from the knowledge of God", ministry and evangelism. In regard to doctrines, a particular emphasis was placed on John Owen whom I regard as one of, if not the best dead Christian apologists where his treatises on the doctrine of limited atonement, spiritual gifts, communion with God, the beauty of piety and holiness are treated exquisitely. Pastor Richard Baxter, though somewhat erroneous in doctrines, seems to be a role model of a compassionate, God-serving, people-loving, talk-the-walk, walk-the-talk-type of minister and evangelist where pastors have much to learn from in our days of quick decision, quick conversion, prosperity gospel, emphasis on fun, numbers, and programs in running the church, exhorting people to go to Afghanistan to preach the gospel while the pastor himself enjoys the glamour of rich congregation in Aspen. The beauty of Puritan principles in regard to family, keeping the Sabbath, marriage, and revival are covered impressively as well. The views on family and marriage are sober yet happy ones, for me personally, but I think are good for singles and married couples alike. If Puritan lifestyle were to be summarized in one statement, in my view, it is as follows: "a joyful compassionate, careful, thoughtful, serious, God-dependent commitment to live a life as pilgrims on earth journeying toward the blessed eternal residence of God in heaven, that expresses delight, reverence, worship of God, and display of the glory of God expressed in the gospel, particularly in the work of redemption carried out by the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross." I'm grateful to God to have the privilege to read some of their texts and biographies; some of which I thoroughly enjoy are those by Jonathan Edwards (Christian Pilgrims, Charity and its Fruits, The Excellency of Christ), John Owen (Overcoming Sin and Temptation, edited by Prof. Kelly Kapic and Justin Taylor), Thomas Watson (The Art of Divine Contentment, All Things for Good, A Treatise on the Beatitudes), Jeremiah Burrough (The Jewel of Christian Contentment); and look forward to read more. O how I long to fellowship with brothers and sisters in and be cared under a Puritan-like ministry, and if the Lord ever calls me to be a minister, or work in ministry, I desire to be like Owen when it comes to solidity and depth of u

The book is a collection of essays on the Puritan's quest for godliness. He covers various aspect of Puritan life and ministry. Some of the essays appear in different collections. The book is challenging and informative as is typical of Packer's books. He quotes the Puritan writers extensively (e. g. Baxter), but he throws in other theologians such as Spurgeon and Augustine as well. The last chapters that focus on the last of the puritans, Jonathan Edwards, is extremely interesting. Packer brings in theology, history and exhortation into his writings. If you don't understand the strength of "Reformed Theology," this book will definitely help. The book is very good, but for me it started out slow because I read some of the essays before. But the more I read, the more I realize what he is trying to do and I am deeply impressed. Packer is giving us a peek into the puritan world view so that we may purify our worship today.

J. I. Packer is the perfect author for a near-perfect book on the Puritans. "A Quest for Godliness" shreds the lies that besmerk the Puritans. In it you'll find the truth about the Puritans from their own words in their own historical context. As the subtitle suggests, "The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life" highlights their teaching on sanctification: how to grow in grace as a believer in Christ. Packer neatly packs and unpacks their spirtual theology in ways that reach believers of all types and education. Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Soul Physicians," "Spiritual Friends," "Biblical Psychology," "Martin Luther's Pastoral Counseling," and "Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction."

"I believe in the providence of God some ages have special messages for other ages, and that as the New Testament era provides a model for the life of all churches and Christians everywhere, so the Puritan era has particular lessons to teach the Western Christian world at the end of the twentieth century." So says J. I. Packer in his conclusion to this book and so say I as well. There are those who wish to caricaturize the Puritans as hard-nosed, pleasure-hating, legalistic, superstitious, egotistical and uneducated religious fanatics, but nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact they were just the opposite. They were supremely concerned to live a solidly and consistently Biblical life, which involved first of all, love for God and then love for ones neighbor and ones self. To embody this kind of love, (which I confess they did not do perfectly as we do not) demands that they were not hard-nosed at all but sought to understand others in an attempt to demonstrate before their eyes the fruits of a Godly life and thereby impress upon their hearts and minds an attraction to the Lord Jesus Christ. This they did out of a sincere desire for the conversion and well being of their eternal souls. Neither were they pleasure-haters, but rather, they recognized that to deny the pleasures of life as given to humanity by their great and benevolent Creator would be an affront to His graciousness, though they remained very careful to enjoy these pleasures to the glory of God, within His guidelines, so as not to abuse them. They were not legalistic but they did believe that obedience to the moral law was well pleasing to God and endeavored keep it to that end. Though there were some superstitions that existed among them, they were not peculiar to them but were superstitions that were held by virtually everybody in the sixteenth century. They were not egotistical, believing that their way was the only right way, but rather, they were subordinate, believing that Gods way was the only right way and that He had revealed it to us in the Holy Scriptures. They were certainly not uneducated for they were the most eminent scholars of their day. And to the charge of religious fanaticism one can only say that this is a highly subjective opinion. They were careful to live their lives to the glory of God in every arena, be it churchmanship, community service or statesmanship; financial, familial or sexual; occupational, recreational or philanthropical. If this be viewed as fanaticism, then so be it; but for my part, I view it as consistent and praiseworthy faithfulness to the God who is so consistent, praiseworthy and faithful to us. The strength of this book cannot be overstated and neither can the benefits of taking its message to heart. I know, for my own part that what I have read here will be of value throughout the rest of my ministry and throughout the rest of my Christian life. I would also venture to say that the benefits would be of the same value to all Chr