Contents

Part I: Systematic

1. Theology: A Multidimensional Discipline -- pg. 3

2. Systematic Theology as a Practical Discipline -- pg. 21

3. Toward a Theology of the Biblical Text -- pg. 43

4. Recovering Baptism for a New Age of Mission -- pg. 51

5. Christology and the Quest of the Historical Jesus -- pg. 67

Part II: Biblical and Exegetical

6. The Dance Between God and Humanity -- pg. 87

7. Grace and Truth: The Progress of the Argument of the
Prologue of John’s Gospel -- pg. 105

8. Paul Doing Theology for the Corinthians:
Second Corinthians -- pg. 123

9. Prospects for the Pastoral Epistles -- pg. 137

Part III: Historical and Interdisciplinary

10. The Importance of Tradition for Modern Evangelicalism -- pg. 159

11. James I. Packer’s Contribution to the Doctrine of the
Inerrancy of Scripture -- pg. 175

12. J. I. Packer and the Shaping of American Evangelicalism -- pg. 191

13. A Vision for Preachers -- pg. 207

14. Knowing God: The Transmission of Reformed Theology -- pg. 223

15. Immanuel and the Purpose of Creation -- pg. 245

Appendix: A Select Bibliography of J. I. Packer’s Works -- pg. 263

For nearly a half CENTURY J. I. Packer has distinguished himself as a theologian for the church. While his eaidition sets him apart in the academy, his calling and his heart’s desire have been doing theology for the people of God.
In honour of his seventieth birthday, friends, colleagues and students from around the world have contributed this notable group of essays, making their own or reflecting upon Packer’s advancement of the cause of good theology for the church.
John Stott delineates the varied responsibilities implied by the discipline of theology, while Kenneth Kantzer explores the practical dimensions of systematic theology. Roger Beckwith, David Wright and Colin Brown take up important theological issues surrounding our understanding of the biblical text, baptism and the historical Jesus, respectively.
Proverbs 15:30—16:3, the prologue to the Gospel of John, Paul’s theologizing in 2 Corinthians and the authorship of the Pastorals occupy the attention of biblical exegetes Bruce Waltke, William Dumbrell, Paul Barnett and I. Howard Marshall.
Alister McGrath examines the importance of tradition for modern evangelicalism, while Roger Nicole and Mark Noll assess the impact of Packer’s work on the doctrine of inerrancy and the shaping of American evangelicalism. Preaching is the subject of Peter Jensen’s essay, while James Houston asks how reformed theologies transmit knowledge of God and Loren Wilkinson reassesses the purpose of creation.
Also included is a select bibliography of J. I. Packer’s works.