Knowing God is the very reason Jesus Christ came. John 17:3 says that knowing God is the definition and meaning and purpose of eternal life. Here is another book focusing its readers on the Person of God. It is very well written and covers many, though not all of God's revealed attributes. Any person looking to study the Person of God to know Him more intimately (that should be every born-again Christian) needs to read this book. Place this book next to Pink's "Gleaning in the Godhead" and Tozer's "The Knowledge of the Holy" and you will have a 3-book library on the Person of God probably unsurpassed at this time.

This is a great book. I have used it in no less than three different Bible studies. By now, my copy is bent and worn from use and I have grown a great deal through studying with it. I would recommend this book highly, particularly if you are looking for a book to go through as a group. Packer's book has been used to introduce thousands to the theological study of God's word. Indeed, it was the first Christian book I read as a youth that engaged my mind in a meaningful way. "Knowing God" is theological - and completely grounded in the Bible - but it is also very readable and includes suggested questions at the end of each chapter. There is something in this book for both mature and beginning Christians.
The book is divided into three parts. The first concerns (roughly) how we can know God, the second speaks of the attributes and character of God, and the final reflects on the Christian life and the way in which knowing God affects that life. Buy it and read it.

First, I must admit that Knowing God is the first book by Packer that I have read. Luckily, I was not disappointed. Considered a modern Christian classic by many, Knowing God lives up to its reputation. In it Packer presents a balanced view of God - who He is, what He is like, what He has done for us, and what He expects from us in return. I had a pretty good understanding of some subjects before reading this book, but found myself learning a lot as Packer challenged me to dig deeper into the Bible, and apply my faith in order to get a clearer picture of God.

I really enjoyed this book because I have been looking for "deep" Christian books that are neither full of fluff (like a lot of the recent self-help style Christian books), or too full of theology to grasp (thick, boring tomes that most Pastors can't even finish). I found that Knowing God fits nicely into this category. Packer's thoughts about God are deep, yet concise. He includes a lot of scripture to support his perspective, which indicates that it is not written for a "new" or "baby" Christian, and he also includes some historical and academic material as well. I liked the fact the he quotes many sources which enabled me to write down the titles to other books which go deeper into subjects of interest to me.

Overall, I recommend this book to Christians who have a firm grasp of their faith, and are looking for guidance on how to grow a deeper relationship with God. One of the keys is gaining a better understanding of God, and this book offers an excellent starting point for that journey.

There is no doubt J.I. Packer has been and will continue to be one of the 20th century's most important theologians. His contribution to the current debate between the liberal and evangelical wings of Canada's Anglican Church is critical. As described by McGrath, Dr. Packer has maintained a theological position of integrity throughout his life.

However, I hope he will one day be served by a biography that is much more readable than this biography by Alistair McGrath. Despite my interest in Dr. Packer, I found reading it a definite struggle. Only my interest in the subject caused me to finish the book.

Did anyone edit this book? McGrath's sentences go on and on - and I found I couldn't pin down his opinions. Often half or more of the sentences in the book were extraneous. Perhaps he has written in a classic academiceze style - but I found myself really struggling and wanting him to make his points clearly and succinctly.

Although many may read the book due to interest in Dr. Packer's life and work, it was definitely a struggle and I cannot recommend it as a well-written biography.

Are you looking for a spiritual blood transfusion? Look no further! JI Packer's enthusiasm for God and tenacity for right thinking regarding the bible is contagious! His interactions with Stott and Lloyd-Jones provide brilliant historical insight into the tension of "reform from within" vs "be ye seperate".

Many Christians miss out on the experience that excellent spiritual biographies provide. Don't be one of them!

As far as the previous writer that didn't think McGrath did a good job writing, I couldn't disagree more. Type the words "Alister McGrath" into the Amazon search engine and you'll find many people like the way Dr. McGrath puts sentences together.

I found Alister McGrath's biography of Packer to be most interesting. Here is a man (Packer) who is truly bringing honor to the name of Christ and His church (when in the age of supposed regenerate men that consistantly do otherwise). McGrath is a man of like public character and a honorable person to do such a work. I was pleased to read such a work, and am looking forward to further McGrath biographies having to do with such honorable men (McGraths work on Calvin was also quite excellent). This was a easy and uncomplicated read, factual and supposing nothing yet is thorough enough. I would suggest the work highly.