J.I. Packer

July 22, 1926 – July 17, 2020

Theologian & Author

Knowing God — not just knowing about God

Biography

British-born Canadian Reformed theologian and author of Knowing God, one of the best-selling Christian books of the 20th century. He helped shape modern evangelicalism while maintaining deep Reformed convictions.

Faith & Testimony

Packer's Knowing God made profound theology accessible to ordinary believers. He emphasized that knowing God personally — not merely knowing about Him — is the whole purpose of human existence. A humble scholar who once said theology was simply 'thinking about God in His presence.'

Sources

Packer — Wikipedia — Author of Knowing God
Knowing God — Packer's most influential work (1973), a classic introduction to the character and attributes of God
J.I. Packer Tribute — Christianity Today — Tribute and overview of Packer's life and influence on evangelical theology