First Line Friday #29: A Quest for Godliness by J. I. Packer

Thanks to Carrie at
Reading is My Superpower
for the Link-up

 

 

Title:  A Quest for Godliness
Author:  J. I. Packer
Genre:  Church History/Theology

  〰First Line〰

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Horse racing is said to be the sport of kings.  The sport of slinging mud has, however, a wider following.  Pillorying the Puritans, in particular, has long been a popular pastime both sides of the Atlantic, and more people's image of Puritanism still has on it much disfiguring dirt that needs to be scraped off.

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Synopsis:  (From Goodreads) 

A Quest for Godliness explores the depth and breadth of Puritan spiritual life. Drawing on a lifetime of study, renowned evangelical theologian and church leader J. I. Packer surveys the lives and teachings of great Puritan leaders such as John Owen, Richard Baxter, and Jonathan Edwards. He examines the Puritan view of the Bible, spiritual gifts, the Sabbath, worship, social action, and the family. The Puritans' faith, Packer argues, stands in marked contrast with the superficiality of modern western Christianity.

In a time of failing vision and decaying values, this powerful portrait of the Puritans is a beacon of hope that calls Christians to radical commitment and action, both of which are desperately needed today. Beautifully written, A Quest for Godliness is a moving and challenging exploration of Puritan life and thought.

 〰First Thoughts〰

I freely admit to being quite ignorant when it comes to the Puritans.  Childhood images of the Puritan pilgrims in their buckled hats and collars (think Thanksgiving coloring pages) flood my mind.  Theologically, I know absolutely nothing about what Puritanism's beliefs and practices were, much less how they would have an effect on current day Christianity.  I mentioned here that I attended the 2022 Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) conference when it was in Denver.  Part of the conference amenities included a bookstore with a deep discount on purchases for members.  I've read several of Packer's books, so this volume piqued my interest.  

Like Spurgeon's Lectures to My Students this large work will be on "long read" mode.  It will most likely take me several months to work through the entirety of the book.  

 

 〰Update〰
I recently posted an update on entry #26.  If you are interested, it is here.

So, what's the first line of the book you're currently reading?