Day 1087 · Year 3 · The Great Tradition
Packer on theology that becomes intimacy
A British theologian asked what the Bible is for.
Today's passage
Jeremiah 9:23-24
23This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches.
24But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible · public domain
Reflection
J. I. Packer wrote that the point of all theology is to know God personally, not just to know about him. The Bible agrees. Jeremiah says: do not boast in wisdom, might, or wealth, but in 'understanding and knowing me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness.' Bible study can drift into information. The question is not 'how much do I know?' but 'do I know him?' Today, take a single attribute — his steadfast love, his justice — and let it move from your head to your heart in actual prayer.
From the great tradition · paraphrased
J. I. Packer · Modern · 20th c. · England/Canada
J. I. Packer taught that the point of theology is intimacy with God himself — that knowing about him without knowing him is the saddest possible outcome of a Bible-literate life.
Paraphrase only. Scripture, not any teacher, is the authority.
Think it through
- What three things does God say not to boast in, and what is the alternative?
- What does God 'delight' in, according to verse 24?
- Where has your study drifted from information toward intimacy — or away from it?
A prayer to pray
Pick one attribute of God from this verse. Pray it back to him until it moves from your head to your heart.