Reply To: Knowing God, Chapters 1 & 2

[Marie]

This is my first time Reading packer and something I took notice of is Packer’s emphasis that knowing God is the most important pursuit of life. He contrasts knowing about God with truly knowing God personally, arguing that theology should lead to deeper relationship, not just head knowledge. Many people are content with knowing about God, but that is not the same as having a real relationship with our Lord and Savior . He shows how studying God is not optional for believers—it is essential and how real knowledge of God transforms our lives—it humbles us, strengthens us, and brings joy. I like how Packer warns against detached intellectualism and urges readers to approach theology with awe and reverence. This is so important because because it’s easy to fall into the trap of treating theology like a mere academic subject—studying facts, doctrines, and arguments without letting them transform our hearts. But Packer reminds us that theology is ultimately about a relationship with the living God. If we approach it without awe and reverence, we risk missing the very purpose of knowing God: worship, love, and obedience. I enjoyed reading how Packer explains what it means to truly know God and how that knowledge changes a person’s character and actions. Drawing from Daniel 11:32 (“the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action”), Packer outlines four characteristics of those who know God:
1. They have great energy for God.
2. They show great boldness for God.
3. They have great contentment in God.
4. They have great thoughts of God.
• Real knowledge of God brings inner strength and resilience in the face of trials.
• Packer stresses that experiential knowledge of God leads to action, not passivity.