Mere Fidelity Knowing God, with Dr. Fred Sanders
Oct 3, 2023
Dr. Fred Sanders, an expert in evangelical spirituality, joins Derek, Alastair, and Matt to celebrate the 50th anniversary of J.I. Packer's 'Knowing God'. They discuss evangelical spirituality, the doctrine of God, classic hymns, the Keswick movement, and the contemporary literary context of the book.
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Packer’s Holistic Evangelical Spirituality
- Knowing God by J.I. Packer integrates cognitive knowledge and deep affective Puritan spirituality.
- It roots evangelical holiness in high doctrines about God’s nature, emphasizing transformation beyond mere intellectual assent.
Focus on Doctrine of God
- Knowing God stands out by devotionally centering on the doctrine of God and divine attributes.
- This was unusual in 1960s evangelicalism, which often focused on soteriology or institutional concerns instead.
Keswick vs Puritan Spirituality
- Keswick spirituality emphasizes a "higher Christian life" attainable by grace, not effort, often creating a sense of spiritual hierarchy.
- It contrasts with Puritan-influenced evangelicalism's emphasis on active holiness and rooting out sin through doctrine.