Let's Never Tire of Emphasizing the Bible

I was spending some time in Leland Ryken's biography of J.I. Packer, recently, and ran across a section where Ryken highlights Packer's ministry-long emphasis on the value of God's Word. I love this - may it remind us all to not neglect the Bible, but to give it our attention both as individuals and in churches. 

Everything in the section below comes straight from J.I. Packer: An Evangelical Life, by Leland Ryken, pp. 255-56. Section headings are Ryken's; quotes are Packer's:

---

The Bible has fallen into great neglect among Christians:

​"Once, most Westerners knew something of what was in the 'Good Book' to guide us in our lives; nowadays, however, very few know or care what the Bible teaches.”

This is not a minor issue but a major one: 

​"Ignorance of the Bible remains tragic, for it virtually guarantees ignorance of God.”

Restoring the Bible to the center of life is urgent:

"To reestablish in people’s minds the truth and wisdom of the biblical message…is perhaps the church’s most urgent task today.”

---

Interested in More Posts Like This?

If you liked this post, you may also want to check out the following:

• How to Study the Bible on Your Own
• Six Online Tools that Can Help You Understand (and Dig Into!) the Bible
• J.I. Packer, In His Own Words (Thanks, Crossway!)