Knowing God, chapters 7 & 8
JI Packer's Knowing God is one of the few books from the last century deserving of the title "classic." It contains short, readable chapters full of rich theological reflections on what it means to know God.
Chapter 7 suggests that our difficulties understanding the Bible should not keep us from reading it. Instead, the fact that God is unchanging should drive us to study it even more since the same God who helped Israel and the early church is the One with whom we have to do. God is just as merciful, good, and trustworthy for us, because he never changes.
Chapter 8 encourages us not to lose sight of God's greatness by over-emphasizing His personal characteristics. It is true that He is loving and draws near to us, but He is also greater than any nation, king, emperor, and He is even above all of his most glorious and powerful creations. His greatness should remind us not to have lowly thoughts of Him, as if He were human like us; it should make us ashamed of any suspicion that He has forgotten us; and it should drive us to think often of his majesty.
Chapter 7 suggests that our difficulties understanding the Bible should not keep us from reading it. Instead, the fact that God is unchanging should drive us to study it even more since the same God who helped Israel and the early church is the One with whom we have to do. God is just as merciful, good, and trustworthy for us, because he never changes.
Chapter 8 encourages us not to lose sight of God's greatness by over-emphasizing His personal characteristics. It is true that He is loving and draws near to us, but He is also greater than any nation, king, emperor, and He is even above all of his most glorious and powerful creations. His greatness should remind us not to have lowly thoughts of Him, as if He were human like us; it should make us ashamed of any suspicion that He has forgotten us; and it should drive us to think often of his majesty.
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