Dec
01
2009
Packer’s Advice for You
“I’m amazed at the amount of time people spend on the internet. I’m not against technology, but all tools should be used to their best advantage. We should be spending our time on things that have staying power, instead of on the latest thought of the latest blogger—and then moving on quickly to the next blogger. That makes us more superficial, not more thoughtful.”—J.I. Packer, in World Magazine
29 Comments
Ouch.
One word: convicting.
ironic
Ditto, Jim
Subliminal message here: JT wants us to reflect deeply on his posts, and not read any other blogs.
(just kidding)
Seriously now, thanks for a great post.
I’d comment but it would take too much time.
I saw this yesterday on ANOTHER BLOG (I love the irony of all that). So what is it that has “staying power” that he prefers? Sermons don’t have staying power, should we give up on them?
I think what he’s talking about certainly applies to some blogs and some ways of disseminating information, but it seems too broad to be of much substance.
Reminds me in many ways of the quote often attributed to Voltaire, “a witty saying proves nothing.”
My guess is he is referring to the study of God’s Word which has “staying power”.
Thanks for the quote, JT. That spurs me on to good priorities.
no name: It’s not difficult to point out the irony of Packer’s quote appearing on several blogs, as you have. But leaving it at that is just an easy way out of dealing with his point, as is the extreme inference that Packer would recommend staying away from sermons.
Even a cursory reading of his quote reveals that he’s not condemning technology (which in context includes the internet and blogs). He’s warning us against the temptation to give inordinate amounts of time to “the latest thought” and “the latest blogger” while failing to invest deeply in writings and activities whose significance and value has been proven over time. And he’s warning us against getting into the habit of “moving on quickly” from blog to link to soundbyte without giving any careful consideration to what we’re taking in.
For instance, your Voltaire quote obviously has “staying power” — it has stood the test of time. It is wise, insightful, substantial, and has relevance centuries later. Much of the internet (though not all) doesn’t ring with the same qualities.
Blessings,
Gunner
Gunner, I recognize what he’s saying…
The point that someone else and I discussed on another blog was that the sermon – the primary mode of theological discourse – does not have “staying power.” And yet it must be the most privileged of modes! Therefore, staying power in and of itself doesn’t really serve as a good criterion. It’s just a thought, but I agree with Dr. Packer wholeheartedly considering my qualification mentioned above!
Tyler,
Thanks for your thoughts. I’m assuming you previously commented under “no name” since that’s who I replied to originally. If not, please correct me.
When you say that a sermon doesn’t have “staying power,” it seems that you’re looking at the sermon from the standpoint of spoken words that are spoken into the air and are then lost, or words that pass through someone’s mind and then are (potentially) forgotten.
But I don’t think that the physical presence of the words themselves (as in a book), or the audience’s memory of them, are what Packer means by “staying power.” I think he means things that are substantial, meaningful, well-reasoned, and given careful consideration. Certainly the internet is bursting with helpful, well-reasoned content (JT links to a lot of it!), but we can all acknowledge that much more on the internet is shallow at best.
I would suggest that the sermon as a method of communicating truth does have “staying power,” because it’s a theologically-based, truth-driven, reasoned-out, (hopefully) colored and illustrated, extended presentation of truth.
But your definiton of “staying power” and mine might be different here. Either way, thanks for the gracious dialogue.
Gunner
Thoughtful blog post. :)
In my opinion, I think Packer makes an excellent point. Also, my opinion, I’m sure many will disagree, bloggers can help with this by not posting comments.
This blog is one of the few best blogs out there with great information and tools that I use today. But you hear of people with internet addiction or blog addiction and I think the best thing bloggers can do is not allow comments.
Yes, yes, I know the irony, I’m commenting in a blog that bloggers should not allow commenting.
Thanks for the kind words, Carlos. I’ve wrestled quite a bit with whether or not to allow comments. They seem to me to have improved of late, but I’m not sure!
This blog differs from most others in that it is not mere opinion. JT points his readers to resources/quotes/what-have-you. Thus, comments are not necessarily going to contain a lot of opinion (such comments are the only ones, I think, that can lead to problems (but don’t necessarily)).
Great point, Eric. This blog does differ in that respect in most cases and makes it unique in its own way.
Why should we be surprised, the truth hurts. Packer makes an excellent observation and rightly so more time in the word. Hey what if the power grid went down for a length of time, how many people would go into withdrawls, ouch…
Blogs can be a way to be edified. But anything can be too much I guess.
The main thing for me is reflect through the day and see if I was thinking mostly of the Lord, and His will for me. Am I praying and speaking to our Savior as I blog, or work, or play, or even watch TV.
I watch too much TV. There’s something about a remote that is from the devil. Just kiddin’.
Thanks for the post.
CR, I think some people don’t comment enough, and others comment too much. There’s always a moderation with all we do. I trust the Lord will help me be moderate, because I’m not much good at it.
Donsands – What I try to do with blog articles is I try to read them for comprehension and really try to understand what the writer is saying. This can take a lot of time (at least for me) when more time could be spent praying. Before I comment I really think hard of what I am going to say. I don’t want to just shoot from the hip. This takes even more time (again at least for me).
Moderation is always the important principle as you say. But frankly, I don’t see how most people do it unless it’s a full time job for them and not neglect other important things.
I can’t wait for my Systematic Theology class with mr packer next semester!
CR: I don’t frequent blogs that have comments turned off if only because I think (well spoken & polite) dissenting voices are important. Where would Christianity be today if we didn’t have them??
Wow, so are we to believe the internet does not have staying power? I wonder when he goes to a social engagement if he speaks to everyone or if he simply finds one person and spends the entire evening with them.
Seems like he desires to be sagacious, without being thoughtful.
[...] quote from Packer via Justin Taylor’s blog on the use of the [...]
JI Packer is the man.
The problem is a matter of desires.
I’m glad I read this comment, on a blog site.
: )
Seems “moderation in all things” is the key.
“But frankly, I don’t see how most people do it unless it’s a full time job for them and not neglect other important things.”
I am able to blog, and post thoughts, both here at home, and at my office. I own my business, and I set a side some time for reading, mostly in the morning, a couple blogs, and get some good spiritual food for the day. And may even comment, and so forth.
Each day I work is different. i go out and work in the field so to say at times, and other times am in my office. I’m basically a construction worker and a pencil-pusher.
Thanks for your good thoughts CR, as they always are.
[...] J.I. Packer, N.T. Wright and Michael Horton All Seem To Agree December 3, 2009 gjware Leave a comment Go to comments J.I. Packer in World Magazine: “I’m amazed at the amount of time people spend on the internet. I’m not against technology, but all tools should be used to their best advantage. We should be spending our time on things that have staying power, instead of on the latest thought of the latest blogger—and then moving on quickly to the next blogger. That makes us more superficial, not more thoughtful.” HT: Justin Taylor [...]
Packer is wrong. I would never have come across his quote if it wasn’t for the internet.
No guilt here.
[...] also has something to say about the Internet. May as well read the whole [...]