CONCISE

THEOLOGY

A GUIDE TO HISTORIC CHRISTIAN BELIEFS

J. I. PACKER

© 1993 by Foundation for Reformation

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form, except for brief quotations in reviews, without written permission from Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 80, Wheaton, IL 60189.

The “NIV” and “New International Version” trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society.

The chapters in Concise Theology were originally written as extended notes for the New Geneva Study Bible, a project of the Foundation for Reformation, 400 East South Street, Suite 301, Orlando, Florida 32801.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NRSV is from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyrighted, 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United states of America, and is used by permission. All rights reserved.

Library of Congress Cataloglng-ln-Publlcatlon Data

Packer, J. I. (James lnnell)

Concise theology : a guide to historic Christian beliefs / J. I. Packer

p. cm.

ISBN 0-8423-1111-4

1. Theology, Doctrinal—Introductions. I. Title.

BT65.P33 1993

230′.044—dc20

92-37771

Contents

Preface

ONE: GOD REVEALED AS CREATOR

Revelation Scripture Is the Word of God

Interpretation Christians Can Understand the Word of God

General Revelation God’s Reality Is Known to All

Guilt The Effect of General Revelation

Inward Witness Scripture Is Authenticated by the Holy Spirit

Authority God Governs His People through Scripture

Knowledge True Knowledge of God Comes through Faith

Creation God Is the Creator

Self-Disclosure “This Is My Name”

Self-Existence God Has Always Been

Transcendence God’s Nature Is Spiritual

Omniscience God Sees and Knows

Sovereignty God Reigns

Almigfatiness God Is Omnipresent and Omnipotent

Predestination God Has a Purpose

Trinity God Is One and Three

Holiness God Is Light

Goodness God Is Love

Wisdom God’s Twofold Will Is One

Mystery God Is Surpassingly Great

Providence God Governs This World

Miracles God Shows His Presence and Power

Glory God’s Glory-Showing Requires Glory-Giving

Idolatry God Demands Total Allegiance

Angels God Employs Supernatural Agents

Demons God Has Supernatural Opponents

Satan Fallen Angels Have a Leader

Humanness God Made Human Beings in His Image

Humankind Humans Are Body and Soul, in Two Genders

TWO: GOD REVEALED AS REDEEMER

The Fall The First Human Couple Sinned

Original Sin Depravity Infects Everyone

Inability Fallen Human Beings Are Both Free and Enslaved

Covenant God Takes Sinful Humans into a Covenant of Grace

Law God Legislates, and Demands Obedience

Law in Action God’s Moral Law Has Three Purposes

Conscience God Teaches and Cleanses the Heart

Worship ...