J. I. Packer, Keep in Step With the Spirit: Finding Fullness in our Walk With God, Second Enlarged Edition. Baker Books, 2005.
Referenced in: Spiritual Gifts
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
Packer is a self-styled pietistic-theologian, always deeply concerned about the life of the mind, but in a way that supports a vibrant relationship with God and emerges from an orientation that is “Bible-based, cross-centered, conversion-oriented, and prioritizing church fellowship and outreach.” (10) The first edition was an even-handed critique of the charismatic movement, upholding the Christ-centeredness of the Holy Spirit’s ministry and reaffirming the biblical call to holiness. The revised edition does the same, with the addition of chapters on Christian assurance.
This is an excellent work on the Holy Spirit overall, but with regard to this resource guide’s emphasis, the chief contribution is Packer’s balanced teaching on spiritual gifts in ministry. Toward that end, I recommend the following sections:
- Chapter 1, Getting The Spirit in Focus, the section on “Performance”
- Chapter 2, The Holy Spirit in the Bible, the section on “Spiritual Gifts”
- Chapter 4, Mapping the Spirit’s Path: The Charismatic Life, the section on “Charismatic Distinctives Reviewed”
- Chapter 6, Mapping the Spirit’s Path: Interpreting the Charismatic Life, the section on “An Alternative Theology”
This, alongside the works by D. A. Carson and Gordon Fee, provide good theological bearings for the work of the Holy Spirit.
From the Publisher
J. I. Packer’s Keep in Step with the Spirit focuses on the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit. Now in its second edition, this book is not merely a theological study, but a rousing call to encourage believers to implement the Spirit’s directives in their lives. Packer explains how to get the Spirit in focus and how to map the Spirit’s path in life. He restates the Christ-centeredness of the Spirit’s ministry, reaffirms the biblical call to holiness, and even-handily assesses the charismatic movement. Readers wanting to understand this movement, believers interested in the ministry of the Spirit, and fans of J. I. Packer’s writings will appreciate this radical call to personal and corporate revival.
About the Author
J. I. Packer is recognized as one of today’s leading evangelical theologians. He is Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia, and the best-selling author of Knowing God.
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