Rediscovering Holiness

By: J. I. Packer

Narrated by: James Adams

"There was a time", writes renowned theologian J. I. Packer in this classic book on biblical holiness, "when all Christians laid great emphasis on God's call to holiness. But how different it is today! To listen to our sermons and to read the books we write, and then to watch the zany, worldly, quarrelsome way we behave, you would never imagine that once the highway of holiness was clearly marked out for Bible-believers."

In this revised and updated edition of Rediscovering Holiness, the highway is once more clearly marked out for a new generation of listeners, pointing to true freedom and joy, both now and in eternity.

©2009 J. I. Packer (P)2009 christianaudio.com

Not About Legalism

Holiness is often equated with legalism in our minds. We think of it as strict rules, lists of what you can or cannot do, and guilt and condemnation for missing the mark. Holiness is actually about relationship with God and living in that relationship. Holiness is about grace, mercy and love, as well as purity. Understanding this brings great refreshment to the soul!

This is the first book that I have read from J.I. Packer, so I was not sure what to expect. From this book I would describe his writing as very thorough and meaty. He goes through the subject of holiness with great detail and care. Breaking down our misconceptions and providing the Biblical foundation for truth about holiness. This is not a light and fluffy read.

Excellent topic with a caveat

The content of this book is much needed, excellently researched and proved. However, I don’t think the audio works as well as the print version because the narrator interrupts the flow of many, many sentences with lists of Scripture references. While it is very helpful and important to understand the Scriptural references, it jarringly interrupts the understanding of the point of the sentences. (I listen at 1.7 speed so my brain stays focused on the topic and doesn’t wander, so perhaps I wouldn’t have this problem if I slowed it down, but then I’d struggle with attending to the content.) Many of the sentences are broken up with as many as 10 verse references or more interspersed in one sentence. While I appreciate those references in a print copy, my brain can’t keep track of the point of the sentence in an audio book. If I want to dig into the Scripture references, I’d rather consult a bibliography or footnote in a written copy. I kept feeling like I was being unhelpfully interrupted every time I was trying to grasp the author’s point. It’s a meaty book that needs your full attention, but that’s difficult with all the parenthetical interruptions. This complaint should also be translated as a praise, because the content is deep and very relevant.

I loved it! couldn't put it down!

Taking God Seriously confronted me and my recent dismissal of important aspects of my faith. I will be listening to it a few more times. Might even buy the book to highlight!

A Blble based exposition of Christianity

This is a clear exposition of Christianity as defined by the Spirit inspired word of God. The richness of the English language is brought to fruition by the exceptional written and beautifully narrated work.

It is my experience that one cannot go wrong with a Packer

I appreciated the constant sighting of scripture chapter, and verse to support the narrative as we went along it would be an easy audio to study along with Bible in hand

Great topic & An Historically Great Treatment

The contents are good but something about the language, the authors metaphors and style, were challenging to me.

I recommend the book but understand anyone finding it a difficult book in which to stay in context at times.

I look forward to reading/listening to this again at a later date in hopes the voice & style feel closer at hand for me on 2nd consumption of the delivery.

Theologically challenging.

This book and the narration are high quality and, to my understanding, theologically sound. I am limited in my ability to judge because I believe that in choosing this title I bit off a bit more than I can chew. Still, I believe it is well worth a listen.

Understanding Holiness

Thought the narrator could have been better, but then imagined he probably talked a bit like this.

Dispassionate Narrator

Struggled to finish this book. Narrator seems very dispassionate which made it hard to engage and I found my thoughts constantly wondering. I do not think it was material as J.I. Packer's "Knowing God" book was excellent. His accent and voice was superb however. As for the material, when I was engaged, it was very good and left some profound thoughts in reflection of my relationship with God. I will have to give this book a second go, as I grow in my faith, hopefully it will be more engaging.