J. I. Packer

REDISCOVERING HOLINESS

"Have you ever wondered why (I know you have) most Doctors of Theology, both Covenant and Dispensational, are seemingly blind to the growth (identification) truths of Scripture that are so plain to you? And why is it that they talk grace, while teaching law? The intent of this Polemic Paper is to supply the doctrinal explanation and answer to this deadly anomaly.

Dr. James I Packer is probably the best know and most popular Covenant theologian of the day. He is long associated with Neo-evangelicalism, and more recently COR (Coalition on Revival) a Reconstruction-Dominion-Theonomy organization, and Evangelicals and Catholics Together -- the road to Rome.

This paper takes an in-depth look at Dr. Packer's Rediscovering Holiness, and the sine quo non of Covenant/Reformed/Calvinist/Puritan doctrine of sanctification.

Online Version Available Here

Strange Contradictory Statements

Over the past decades, neo-evangelical James. I. Packer has proven himself rather chameleon-like.

Consider the fact that in 1957, he helped produce a translation of Martin Luther's The Bondage of the Will, Fleming H. Revell Company, and co-authored with O.R. Johnston the book's excellent, 61 page Historical and Theological Introduction. This work stunningly explained the quintessential gulf between the Reformation and Roman Catholicism, focusing on the sovereignty of God, the Fall, determinism versus indeterminism, etc.

In 1995, nearly 40 years later, he is a leading contributor to the ecumenical publication, Evangelicals & Catholics Together (ECT), Word Publishing, and makes this outrageous statement:

The most poignant expressions of these criticisms [regarding ECT and efforts to blur historical differences] come from middle-age and elderly individuals who found Christ and spiritual life in evangelicalism after failing to find either in the Roman Catholicism of their birth and who cannot believe that Protestants who back ECT know what they are doing.

Forty years ago according to Mr. Packer, the Lord Jesus Christ sovereignly "found" individuals...and even, contrary to his friends, outside the Roman Catholic system! But now he embraces a humanistic view (Arminianism) and shifts culpability from heretical Catholicism to those whom the Lord rescued out of spiritual darkness. A very low, and nasty blow indeed!

No, nearly 30 years ago, without a priest or sacrament, positive self-image, or elevated state of consciousness; the Lord found me and I was born-again as a new-creation Christian.

DRS

MJStanford

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(Materials by Miles J. Stanford are republished here under exclusive permission from the author.)