Knowing God

J I Packer

Class notes - #2, September 21, 2005

1. Review from last week
   
   

2. In the preface (pp 11-12) Packer refers to John Mackay (A Preface to Christian Theology) who differentiates between the “Balconeers” and the “Travelers”.

1. What is the difference between the two?

                                                               i.      How is this difference important in Christians?

                                                             ii.      What differentiates a Traveling Christian from a Balconeer?

2. Who is Packer addressing this book to?

3. Who are we?
   
   

2. What is Packer’s conviction in writing this book (pp 12)

1. The Ignorance of God

                                                               i.      Ignorance of God’s ways

                                                             ii.      Ignorance of the “practice” of communion with Him.

2. Two spirits of the age

                                                               i.      Christian minds have been conformed to the modern world

1.      “Great thoughts about man leave room for only small thoughts of God”

                                                             ii.      Christian minds have been confused by modern skepticism.

4. What is theology? What does Packer mean by the “contemplation of the Divinity?” (pp 17) How are we “lost” in the study of God? Is a study of God really useful in this day and age? How (or does) this age compare to earlier times in our “need” for understanding God?
   
   

5. Packer’s “Five Basic Truths” by which we plot this study” (pp 20)

1. God has spoken to man in and through the bible

2. God is Lord and King; He is sovereign over the universe

3. God is Savior

4. God is triune

5. Godliness means responding to God’s revelation…
   
   
   

6. What do we think of these themes?

7. Are we comfortable – do we believe them?
   
   

6. What are the practical reasons for us to know God (pp 22)?
   
   

7. How can we meditate? How can this turn knowledge about God into knowledge of God? Why is this important?
   
   

8. Big question: Why is the study of God important? How will knowing this affect your life this coming week?

1. “Knowing about God is crucially important for the living of our lives (pp 19). Why?

2. What will we do with our knowledge? (pp 21)
   
   

Westminster Shorter Catechism #1: What is the Chief End of Man?
Answer: Man’s Chief end is to glorify God, and to worship Him forever.

9. Next week – Chapter 2
   
   Big Question:   Packer talks in Chapter two about four characteristics (see page 27-31as “signs” or “tests” of our knowledge of God. Where are your strongest and weakest points?