(July 22nd
1926 to July 17th 2020)
By Rev. Dr. Ed &
Janice Hird
-an article for the
Light Magazine
Canada has been blessed to have the late Dr JI Packer in our
own backyard since 1979. Although born
in the UK, he became a Canadian citizen after becoming a Regent College
professor. His generosity of spirit has
transformed countless Christian leaders.
How is it that so many of us have experienced such a personal connection
to a global leader?
Dr Darrell Johnson insightfully noted, “One of the Lord’s
humble giants has been called home. J.I. Packer is what a theologian is called
to be: first a forgiven sinner who then gratefully loves the Saviour, and then
a sacrificial servant who uses his massive giftedness to equip the church to
live for the glory of Christ. I can never repay the debt I owe Dr. Packer for
the gift of “Knowing God.” And now he does as never before!”
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby commented, “Dr James
Packer’s death ends a wonderful service to God by a disciple of learning,
wisdom and holiness. A giant of his time.”
Geoff Tunnicliffe, former Secretary-General for the World Evangelical
Fellowship agreed, saying, “Dr. J.I Packer was a giant of the Faith. Jim had a huge influence in personal
journey.” Rev Dr Chris Sugden from Oxford commented that John Stott, Michael
Green, and Jim Packer were key framers of the Keele Statement which reaffirmed
that evangelicals could remain in the Church of England with integrity. Pastor Dave Carson of Hope Vancouver knew Dr
Packer from the 1960s in London, commenting that Packer’s highlighting of
George Whitefield’s preaching was foundational in his own life. Archbishop Yong
Ping Chung of South-East Asia (ret) said “I had the privilege of getting to
know him a little better when he firmly and courageously stood up for the truth
of the Gospel against the false teachings, especially during the very difficult
and controversial time in our Anglican Communion.”
Many famous people become inaccessible and pompous. But not Dr Packer. His friend Dr George Egerton of UBC noted
that “he was famous and revered for his best-selling books, but was utterly
without pretensions. He had time for
anyone. If you needed an article for a
journal, or a review, he was always happy to oblige.” Rev Ron Corcoran stated
he was so delighted and humbled that Dr Packer took the time to read and
endorse his book. We are grateful that
he wrote the foreword to two of my own books, as he did for so many others.
Packer’s many Regent students appreciated how deeply he
invested in their lives. Rev Peter Falk
remembered that every class they sang the Doxology. Dr Packer was fond of saying, ‘Theology is
for doxology.’ Pastor Macintosh of Heritage Alliance Church rejoiced when
Packer taught him that election (being chosen) is about overflowing
thankfulness for God’s gracious action on our behalf. Bishop Felix Orji feels a
deep sense of loss, “He was like a father to many of us. At a personal level, Jim helped me with
doctoral thesis - the outline for my doctoral Thesis was hashed out by Dr
Packer in his living room one afternoon I went to see him.”
Dr. Packer helped redeem the concept of theology, making it
accessible and practical. Rev. Dr. John
Roddam observed that many theologians are in the ozone but Jim’s writings were
accessible to the “average Joe.” Brian C Stiller, Global Ambassador for The
World Evangelical Alliance, commented, “James Packer was uncommon in his
ability to digest a wide assortment of complex and wide-ranging theology and reduce it to its elementary and
essential issues. He is a prime example of how those of us in the wider and
more popular level of Gospel witness, benefit so greatly from those brilliant
in scholarship and at the same time, care so much about and deeply love the
Gospel.” Dr Rod Wilson, past Regent
College President, stated, “I will remember Jim Packer as a man who had a
unique ability to link theology with the mere Christian, and the academy with
the church. These gifts were bathed in an irenic spirit that made him a
gracious man even when dealing with his critics. Intertwined with these
strengths was an outrageous sense of humour that endeared him to so many.”
Many are grateful for Dr. Packer’s humanity, humour and
playfulness, especially around meals.
Rev Ken Shigematsu of Tenth Church commented, “JI Packer inspired me to
choose play that gives life, ennobles, and draws me to God.” Rev. Calvin Weber
of UCM BCIT was struck by Packer’s love for six Hunan peppers on his Hunan Gung
Pao Chicken. Dr. Jeff Greenman, Regent College President, spoke of Dr. Packer
as both his teacher and friend, regularly making time to share beef curry
together at a local Chinese restaurant. Packer, said Greenman “was not only a
brilliant thinker and amazing writer, but fundamentally a deeply godly,
Christ-loving Christian gentleman, who gave his life to serving the God he
loved.”
His book “Knowing God”, which sold millions, has had the
greatest impact of all of Dr Packer’s many writings. Dr Axel Schoeber of West Vancouver Baptist
Church commented, “His book Knowing God was hugely formative for me as a
young Christian and shaped my approach to ministry once I became a pastor.” Rev
Robin Guinness, fellow co-signer of Dr JI Packer’s Montreal Declaration of
Anglican Essentials, observed, “I go back again and again to his monumental
work Knowing God. It is also
through him that I have been encouraged to rediscover the depth and riches of
the great Puritan leaders.”
Bishop Peter Klenner said, “The Rev. Dr. J I Packer was—in
the very best sense of the word—a Puritan. He was a man of the Word. He loved
and lived the bible. Dr. Packer was also a Pastor—in the best sense of the
word. He cared for people; remembered their names. He loved people and was willing to walk
alongside as a pilgrim.” David Bornman, West Coast Christian Fellowship,
commented, “I am grateful for JI Packer’s lifelong dedication to the defense of
scripture which has been a strength to the church worldwide. In person and in
writings JI Packer approached scripture with a wonderful expression of
reverence and joy that welcomed each listener to enter his joyful discovery of
the glory of God.”
When asked late in life by Christianity Today what
his final words to the church might be, Packer replied, 'I think I can boil it
down to four words: Glorify Christ every way.'"
Rev Dr. Ed and Janice Hird
-Co-authors of the Blue Sky novel
p.s. It seems very fitting that the Lord had us do a trilogy
recently on Dr. JI Packer and his mentor Richard Baxter in the Light Magazine.
Dr
JI Packer: Knowing God
Richard
and Margaret Baxter
Dr JI Packer
and Richard Baxter
