Oct
29
2009
Trueman: “[J.I.] Packer is, in a sense, a failure.”
Dr. Carl Trueman, Professor of Historical Theology and Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary, talks about his essay in the recently released J.I. Packer and the Evangelical Future: The Impact of His Life and Thought.
You can read an excerpt from the book here.
Categories: Books and Reviews
15 Comments
Seriously?? unreal
Was surprised by the title but the actual video makes a lot of sense I had the privilege to hear and meet J.I. Packer at Oak Hill Theological College. And where as I agree with the fact he has failed to write an exhaustive Systematic Theology, he is one of the most humble men I have met and I have been encourage and inspired by his works in my personal faith and also my academic studies.
My dear, dear, brother: 1 Cor.3:11-15
All of his criticisms towards Packer have been said before, over and over and over again.
The fact is NO British theologian has ever produced a systematic theology. They, unlike the continentals, just can’t seem to get their minds around it. Good in the details, bad in the big picture. Like Hobbits, they are happiest in their cups.
Cheers matey.
Tisk, tisk: William Ames, “Medulla Theologica (Marrow of Theology)”.
Joel,
OK, but he did write it while living in Holland. He had to breath Dutch air before he could get his thoughts together!!
Do I detect a genetic fallacy?
Especially since his professor was William Perkins.
I don’t like the way that the Gospel Coalition titled this post; Trueman’s comments don’t bother me (it’s his opinion, and he makes some good points), but why does his opinion have to be placarded to thousands of people as “Packer’s — in a sense –a failure.” It does grab one’s attention, true, but seems unnecessarily provocative, and perhaps even hurtful to Dr. Packer.
Mark, you are 100% right. His opinion about Packer is really incidental. And for that matter, let’s set aside what the Bible says too. What is most unsettling is its advertisement. “You can state your opinion every which way you please. Just don’t advertise it.” Great point.
Mercy. If that’s what makes one a failure we’re in a heap of trouble.
Whatever happened to “together for the gospel”? Failure. Why the name calling?
Yikes! Some pretty bold comments by Carl Trueman regarding J.I. Packer:
“Packer is, in a sense, a failure” at the 3:30 mark: [???]
1)”He (Packer) never wrote the great systematic theology he was capable of.”
2) “His failure to come out in 1966 and challenge the authority of Martyn Lloyd-Jones as the leader of British Non-Conformist Evangelicalism.”
Truemann ‘redeems’ himself in complementing Packer’s model of humility at the 4:55 mark.
Overall, I think Truemann is quite gutsy in his summary of James Packer. Some, will most certainly, have a hard time swallowing Trueman’s comments.
“Do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.” 1 Cor 4:5
Galations 6:1-10
[...] a new book about the life and ministry of JI Packer. Carl Trueman contributes a chapter and argues (among other things) that JI Packer missed his opportunity to be THE leader in his generation [...]