J.I. Packer Reflection Paper

Jonathan Gamble Evangelism and the Sovereignty of graven image Reflection Paper When he sit d take in down to write Evangelism and the Sovereignty of divinity, J. I. meat packer sought to explicate the incredible wideness of understanding the antinomy or tension, as or so prefigure it between the undeniable reign of perfection and the sluttish entrust of work force. finished start the record script, bagger puts an emphasis on cooperative these ii commonly misconstrued components of Christian principle. there are two primary points that the creator stresses to the reader the godly reign of divinity fudge and the stark exit of man, and evangelism and what it agency for churches and individuals.The archetypal point J. I. backpacker makes in his book is the seemingly contradictory doctrine of the divine sovereignty of immortal and the unthaw bequeath of men. This opposition as some would c all in all it is remedied by Packer early on in the book. On p age 23 of the text, the author states, Man is a responsible deterrent congresswoman agent, though he is withal divinely controlled man is divinely controlled, though he is also a responsible moral agent. gods sovereignty is a reality, and mans indebtedness is a reality too. though it whitethorn seem confusing to unbelievers and believers alike, this statement unfeignedly encapsulates Packers assembly line and helps to ameliorate doubt toward this apparent opposition in Christian doctrine. Man is a moral being meaning, he has free ordain, merely was designed (by beau ideal) to be virtuous and near in morality. Humans project the function to do as they please (free forget) they tush either live according to gods laws or rid of His teaching. God allows man to possess free will because He wants men to choose His teachings willingly and on their own accord, not force into Gods law against his will.However, Packer states that man is also divinely controlled, which seems to be at odds with the previous statement. Though man has free will, to a sealed extent he is unflurried controlled by a divine being (God). Ephesians 210 enunciates us, For we are Gods workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good plant, which God prepared in advance for us to do (NIV). This proves that, although we entertain free will and are confident of making our own decisions, God created us to do good works and He knows what we will do before we notwithstanding do it.Thus, Packers lean is that, although we hasten free will and God allows us to make our own decisions (including accept or rejecting Him), we are still divinely controlled by Him by the good works we do. Second among Packers forceful points is that of evangelism not just the act, hardly what it means for churches and individuals alike. Throughout this portion of the book, the author focuses on several main questions regarding evangelism what is evangelism, what is the evangelistic subject matte r, and what is the motive for evangelizing.Packer uses the following to dress evangelism To evangelize is so to present Christ Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit, that men shall tally to their trust in God through Him, to accept Him as their Savior, and serve Him as their King in the fellowship of His church service (Packer 38). This definition is superb because it leads into Packers next questions of evangelism. The message of evangelism, according to the book, is the message of Jesus Christs work, including, but not limited to, his miracles, demise, burial, and resurrection.However, Packer warns not to complicate the evangel message instead, a simplified version geared toward the gull audience is a much more effective means of presenting Christ. The motive for evangelizing is thusly to reach lost and broken souls with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to lead them to a economic system faith in Him. Packer makes in truth good arguments and backs up his stance with stead y evidence from both(prenominal) the Bible and extra- scriptural sources because of his uniform and straightforward argument, I agree with his presentation of the antinomy of evangelism and the sovereignty of God.In Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, the author argues that men both get hold of free will, even so are divinely controlled. I amply support this viewpoint, from both a biblical and practical standpoint. Throughout both the grey and New Testaments, men demonstrate their free will, for good or ill. For example, the parable of the talents shows how mens free will through the illustrations of the three retainers shadower either start out glory to God or condemn the man. All three of the retainers exercised their free will by either doubling the talents entrusted to them (the counterbalance two), or by simply conceal their talent (the final servant).Obviously, the first two servants brought glory to their master by earning beguile on their talents, while the final servant was condemned as a wicked, lazy servant (Matthew 2514-30). Thus, despite the outcome, men have been assumption the free will by God to do as they please. Packer endorses this viewpoint passim his book, and gives numerous biblical citations to support his doctrinal views. Although men have free will, they are also divinely controlled by God Packer shows this throughout his book, and I agree with his arguments and evidences.An excellent example of this and the main reason why I support Packers argument for men being divinely controlled rump be found in the book of Exodus. Then the manufacturing business said to Moses, Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his gist and the police wagon of his officials so that I may perform these signs of mine among them that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the Lord (Exodus 101-2).This event shows that God contr ols the hearts of man, by his hardening the heart of Pharaoh. So, although we have free will, God is still in control of our heart, mind, and soul we are still divinely controlled. If I was to explain to somebody the biblical teaching on the birth of evangelism Packers book and my own understanding of this seemingly contradictory doctrine. I would attempt to explain to them this complex doctrine in simplified terms. To start, I would define sovereignty for them.Sovereignty slew be be as the complete, utter, and undeniable rule of God as King over all creation, including the stars, planets, and man. After establishing the meaning of the basic run-in for the argument, I would go on to explain somewhat the antinomy of mens free will and the undeniable sovereignty of God. manpower are made with the free will to make their own decisions, and are left hand to their own devices for the most part. However, with this free will comes responsibility our actions can either shoot glory t o God or can bring hardship upon ourselves.Although we are given free will, we are still divinely controlled by God. I would bring close to examples from both my own life and the Bible. I would try to relate to them by verbalize them of my past I was heavily intricate in alcohol and partying in mettlesome school (my free will to reject God and His teaching), until God intervened and brought me to a redeeming(a) faith in Him, and my life cancelled whole around (Gods sovereignty over my own life). By drawing off events from my own life, it would help to make the confusing doctrine a bit more understandable and relatable to whoever Im lecture to.I would explain the concept of evangelism to them next evangelism, in my own words, is the act of reaching out to an unreached audience and telling them well-nigh Jesus Christ, his miraculous life and works, his death and resurrection, and the saving grace that comes as a result of putting ones faith in Him. Evangelism is worldly str ategic because it brings sinners to Gods grace by spreading the Good News to the unreached, we can help turn the tide of sacred apathy into a generation that is in relationship with Jesus Christ.M any would argue that because God is sovereign, evangelism is pointless and a waste of time, resources, and talent. However, both Packer and I would argue that this is completely false. I would explain to my listener that because of the free will God grants us, we should tell others about Him and His great love and mercy. I would go on to quote Ephesians 210, which says that we were created to do good works. Because we were created to do good works, it should not feel an obligation to evangelize rather, it should be viewed a claim and an honor a necessity to spread the news of Christ.Although God is in control of mans actions and thus already knows who is going to be receptive of the Truth, it is still our obligation and privilege as Christians to spread the Word (evangelize) to any and everybody. Works Cited 1. Ephesians 210, Exodus 101-2. NIV Bible. London Hodder & Stoughton, 2000. N. pag. Print. 2. Packer, J. I. Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God. Downers Grove, IL InterVarsity, 1991. Print.