Book SummaryKnowing God, by J. I. Packer

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Knowing God

The depiction of God's nature in the Scriptures

The characteristics of God, such as His self-existence, infinite nature, eternal presence, unchanging essence, omniscience, omnipotence, and perfect righteousness, are unequivocally revealed in the Scriptures.

Packer emphasizes the idea that the divine nature is not subject to temporal limitations, ensuring that it remains constant and unaffected by human notions of change or progress. God's divine nature is everlasting, with neither beginning nor end, and His characteristics of might, intelligence, and vigor remain constant, unaffected by the passage of time. The immutable character of God distinguishes Him from all of His creations. He exists beyond the bounds of time as described in Psalms 93:2, reigns as the everlasting monarch according to Jeremiah 10:10, is the undying deity as stated in Romans 1:23, and is uniquely deathless, a fact confirmed in the scriptural reference found in 1 Timothy 6:16. God's essence remains constant, immune to enhancement on account of His flawlessness, and equally impervious to deterioration. His presence is unchanging, with no end to His years, a truth that is also affirmed in the verses of Psalm 102:27.

The nature of God remains unchanging. His essence remains steadfast in its truthfulness, empathy, fairness, and benevolence. God's ethical character remains constant and perpetual, enduring through time and projecting into eternity. The designation God adopts to reveal Himself to us transcends a simple label, revealing instead His unchangeable nature. In Exodus chapter three, verse fourteen, God introduces Himself to Moses using the self-referential statement "I AM WHO I AM." The divine essence, characterized by eternal self-sufficiency and immutability, conveys to humanity that He is the fundamental origin of life. In a subsequent section of Exodus 34, God discloses His name as Yahweh and delineates the facets of His nature, underscoring His mercy, kindness, patience, copious love, unwavering faithfulness, dedication to cherishing numerous individuals, and readiness to forgive wrongdoing, disobedience, and sinfulness. He ensures that those who commit wrongdoings face repercussions that also affect their descendants.

Context

• "I AM WHO I AM" is closely related to the name Yahweh, which is derived from the same Hebrew root, emphasizing God's eternal presence and unchanging nature.

Other Perspectives

• Critics from a secular or atheistic viewpoint may argue that the characteristics of God as revealed in scriptures reflect human ideals and values projected onto a divine being rather than an objective divine reality.
• Scientific understandings of time as a dimension that is integral to the universe challenge the notion of any entity being completely outside of time, suggesting that the concept of atemporality may be more metaphorical than literal.
• The idea of an everlasting divine nature assumes a specific religious framework that may not be shared by all cultures or belief systems, which have their own conceptions of divinity that may not include the characteristic of being everlasting.
• The constancy of God's characteristics is a metaphysical claim that cannot be empirically verified or falsified, and thus remains a matter of personal belief rather than objective fact.
• The idea of God existing beyond time may be seen as incompatible with the notion of free will, as it raises questions about how a timeless being could interact with time-bound creatures without predetermining their actions.
• The metaphor of a monarch may not fully capture the essence of the divine for all individuals, as it is a human construct that may limit the infinite nature of God.
• In the context of a secular or scientific worldview, the existence of any deity, let alone an undying one, is often considered a hypothesis that lacks empirical evidence and is therefore not accepted as a factual claim.
• The idea of God being deathless may be seen as a metaphorical rather than a literal attribute, representing the permanence and continuity of the divine rather than an actual biological characteristic like the deathlessness of a living organism.
• The idea of flawlessness is inherently subjective and culturally constructed, which means that what is considered flawless in one philosophical or theological system may not be seen as such in another.
• Scientifically, the notion of an unchanging presence is difficult to reconcile with the observable universe, which is governed by laws of change and evolution.
• The concept of God's fairness is often questioned in the face of natural disasters, diseases, and suffering, which can seem indiscriminate and unjust to those affected.
• The idea of an unchanging ethical character could be seen as incompatible with the diversity of moral perspectives and religious interpretations found across different cultures and historical periods.
• The concept of God's unchangeable nature as revealed through His designation is based on specific scriptural interpretations, which are subject to scholarly debate and differing hermeneutical approaches.
• The concept of self-sufficiency could be seen as incompatible with the idea of a God who desires worship and relationship with humans, as these desires suggest a form of dependency.
• The depiction of God as merciful and forgiving raises questions about the existence of evil and suffering in the world, which some argue is inconsistent with an all-loving deity.
• In some religious traditions, the concept of collective guilt is challenged by the emphasis on personal repentance and forgiveness, which allows individuals to break free from the cycle of sin and its consequences without implicating their descendants.

We should understand the characteristics of God not simply as abstract concepts but as true reflections of His genuine nature and identity as the omnipotent, holy, and kind...

Knowing God Summary Cultivating a closer and reciprocal connection with the divine.

Grasping the essence of God goes beyond intellectual comprehension; it involves forming a profound connection marked by faith and fellowship.

God has made Himself knowable to human beings, inviting them into a familial relationship as their Heavenly Father.

Packer emphasizes that establishing a relationship with God transcends simple cognitive comprehension. Developing a vibrant, intimate relationship with God transcends simply understanding Him; it involves engaging in deep, mutual fellowship with the Divine. Packer likens the realization of this truth to the moment one is introduced to a person of greater status, be it in rank, skill, or capability. In circumstances where we hold a less prominent role, we often allow the individual of higher distinction to guide the dialogue and be the one to start forging a friendship. If one chooses a formal and distant manner, it may naturally result in our disillusionment, but it would not warrant the filing of a complaint. However, if this person were to open up and share their thoughts and dreams, and even suggest a collaboration on future projects, we would feel deeply honored, and our outlook on life would be permanently...

Knowing God Summary Grasping the nature of God results in profound practical implications and effects.

Grasping the true nature of God extends past mere theoretical comprehension and profoundly influences one's perspective on existence.

Understanding the nature and characteristics of God is essential for nurturing authentic worship, leading a life dedicated to sanctity, and maintaining enduring hope.

The author challenges prevalent perceptions and discussions concerning the divine, emphasizing that the second commandment warns of the subtle and dangerous forms of idolatry. He contends that idolatry is not limited to the worship of imaginary gods but also includes the reverence of the true God by replacing Him with visual representations. We should refrain from including any visual representations of God in our practices of worship, which extends to images of Jesus Christ. Packer stresses that while these depictions might seem innocuous and advantageous, they ultimately do not do justice to the full scope of His magnificence and the totality of His supreme majesty.

The writer clarifies this concept by emphasizing the potential dangers linked to the employment of imagery. Packer warns that any representation of God, whether it's a tangible object or a figment of our...

Knowing God Summary The importance of the Trinity in both the salvation and daily lives of the faithful.

Understanding the continuous oneness of God's being, alongside acknowledging His presence as three separate entities, is essential for a complete comprehension of the gospel's core and the character of a believer's fellowship with God.

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, united as the Trinity, work in concert to redeem, sanctify, and eternally protect those who trust in Christ.

Packer argues that a deep understanding of God and His engagement with people is fundamentally linked to the belief in the Trinity. The mystery of the Trinity, which discloses God's eternal existence as three unique Persons unified in one divine substance, is crucial to all scriptural verities and defies human understanding; it unveils God's character and the way He discloses Himself to humankind. Packer references the Gospel of John to clarify his understanding of the divine Trinity, highlighting the early scriptures that demonstrate the Word's existence from the beginning, its relationship with God, and its divine essence.

Additionally, Packer's work reveals the presence of a third divine entity in the Trinity, as portrayed in the Gospel of John—the Holy Spirit, who is described as "another...

Knowing God Summary Deepening our understanding of His essence.

Idolatry, whether physical or mental, invariably leads to a warped and reduced perception that neither honors nor truthfully portrays the nature of the deity.

Forming conceptual images of God or attributing human characteristics to Him can obstruct our comprehension of His immense majesty and incorporeal nature.

Packer sheds light on the importance of God being referred to as "Jealous" in the Old Testament, underscoring His demand for absolute loyalty from those He has cherished and liberated. Worshipping idols and establishing ties with other gods violates the solemn agreement binding Israel to Yahweh. In Scripture, God's "jealousy" signifies His unwavering commitment to protect the sacred agreement. He elaborates on this idea by likening the connection with God to a marriage covenant, which demands unwavering and complete dedication from everyone involved.

The author underscores the necessity of acknowledging the rightful demand of God for our exclusive devotion as part of His magnificent plan, which encompasses demonstrating His supreme authority, redeeming His chosen ones, and leading them to a position of worship where they can praise Him for His mercy and...