Archbishop Glenn Davies shares his personal response to COVID-19
In this weekend’s online service for the Diocese of Bathurst, Bishop Mark Calder asks Archbishop of Sydney Glenn Davies about how COVID-19 has impacted him.
And Glenn shares a familiar, but wonderful, verse for your encouragement.
It’s also available here as a standalone video.
J.I. Packer: A Personal Remembrance
“Shortly after the death of Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981), Dr. Packer delivered a lecture-sermon at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary entitled, “Martyn Lloyd-Jones: the Greatest Man I Ever Knew.”
It says something important about Packer that despite the sad falling-out of Lloyd-Jones and the Anglican Calvinists in October 1966, he paid such a glowing tribute to “the Doctor.”
A number of men of my generation will want to join me in saying that J. I. Packer was the greatest man we ever knew. …”
– Terry L. Johnson adds his remembrance of J. I. Packer – at Reformation21.
David Short remembers J I Packer standing for the gospel
As part of an online GAFCON tribute to Dr J I Packer, Canon David Short in Vancouver remembers and gives thanks.
David’s contribution begins here. He goes on to recall the crisis in the Diocese of New Westminster from 32 minutes – but watch it all. Archbishop Ben Kwashi, Dr. Leslie Thyberg and Dr. Joel Scandrett also take part.
David mentions Packer’s essays “Why I walked” and “Speculating in Anglican Futures”.
Most encouraging.
A chat with Bishop Gary Koo
Recently, Tom Harricks (Rector of Penrith Anglican Church, and also Secretary of the ACL) chatted with Gary Koo, Bishop of Western Sydney.
Gary shares something of his background, how he became a Christian, and what it’s like to be a new bishop in the era of COVID.
An interesting and very encouraging video.
An Evening Conversation with J. I. Packer – A 1999 Interview by Mark Dever
In October 1999, Mark Dever interviewed Dr J. I. Packer in an event at Capitol Hill Baptist Church.
The 59 minute video from 9Marks is a very worthwhile use of your time.
Remembering J I Packer — GAFCON Live event
GAFCON is holding a live event to remember, and give thanks for J I Packer.
It starts at 6:00am Eastern Australian time, tomorrow (Thursday 30th July 2020).
Memorial service for J I Packer now online
After some technical problems with the livestream, St. John’s Vancouver has now posted the video recording of the Memorial Service for Dr. J. I. Packer.
Even though, due to COVID-19 restrictions, only a relatively small number of people were present, many around the world continue to thank God for Dr. Packer.
Canon David Short (pictured) delivered the sermon.
Funeral Service for J I Packer — 4:00am Friday 24th July Sydney time
The Funeral Service for J I Packer will be held at St. John’s Vancouver (his church for 37 years) at 11:00am Thursday 23 July 2020, Vancouver time.
That’s 4:00am Sydney time on Friday 24th July.
The order of service can be downloaded here.
Update:
Wallace Benn’s Tribute to J. I. Packer
“It was announced on Friday 17th July that Dr. Packer had passed away.
It is a sad day for Reformed Evangelicals because we have lost our champion, but not for him as he is now with the Saviour he honoured throughout his life.
He was the best Anglican Evangelical theologian of his generation, and a brilliant communicator of warm-hearted and big-minded classical evangelicalism. His wonderful books will live on, and as they are read by a new generation, will, please God, give them a deeper and more profound understanding of the Christian Faith, and deliver them from a weaker and more muddled modern version…”
– Bishop Wallace Benn shares his tribute to J. I. Packer, and Lee Gatiss links to many of Packer’s articles in Churchman – at the Church Society website.
J I Packer: An evangelical lion
Earlier today, Dominic Steele spoke with Peter Jensen and Mark Thompson to remember and give thanks for J I Packer.
Mentioned in the discussion:
Why I Walked: Sometimes loving a denomination requires you to fight (PDF file).
A voice focussed on the authority of the Bible and the glory of Jesus Christ
Crossway has a very encouraging tribute page to J I Packer.
There’s a 15 minute documentary video, a download of his book “Weakness is the Way”, and links to other resources.
Reformation Theology in the Hands of a Servant
“J.I. Packer wrote a postcard to me dated December 18, 1990, which included this sentence in his tiny handwriting: ‘Creep up behind your wife, whisper in her ear Ellis Peters, Elizabeth Peters, Andrew Greely, Ralph McInerny, William Kienzle, Charles Merrill Smith, and see how she reacts.’…”
– John Piper shares his tribute to J I Packer – at Desiring God.
Photo: The Gospel Coalition.
Don Carson Pays Tribute to J. I. Packer
“James Innell Packer, known in his writings as J. I. Packer and by his friends as Jim, has today learned by experience what the apostle meant when he said that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, which is far better.
His influence on worldwide evangelicalism, especially through his writings but scarcely less through his far-flung lecturing, can scarcely be measured. …”
– D A Carson writes at The Gospel Coalition.
Peter Grice elected Bishop of Rockhampton
Peter Grice, Dean of Geraldton Cathedral in the Diocese of North West Australia, has been elected Bishop of the Diocese of Rockhampton:
“With much joy and gratitude to Almighty God, I announce the successful election of the Very Reverend Peter John Grice as the thirteenth Bishop of the Diocese of Rockhampton. The Episcopal Announcement was made at a Special Session of Synod, via Zoom, that was also livestreamed today.
Peter currently serves as the Dean of the Cathedral in Geraldton, Western Australia. As a family, Peter, Virginia and their five children, have ministered previously in the Dioceses of Armidale and North West Australia.
Peter was born in Newcastle, NSW and completed High School in Wollongong, NSW. He studied a Bachelor of Commerce/Law at the University of NSW before working as a solicitor in Sydney.
He has completed Theological Studies through the Australian College of Theology, studying at Sydney Missionary and Bible College. He holds further Post Graduate qualifications from Moore Theological College and Trinity Theological College. After completing his initial theological training, Peter responded to the call of Parish ministry in the Diocese of Armidale, where he was deaconed and priested in 2001 and 2002 respectively. He served as the Assistant Minister and then Incumbent of St Augustine’s Inverell for 14 years, before accepting his current position as Dean and Minister-in-Charge of the Holy Cross Cathedral Geraldton in January 2015. He is also licensed as the Vicar General of the North West Australia Diocese.”
– See the full announcement by the Administrator of the diocese, Tom Henderson-Brooks. (PDF file)
Photo: Peter and Virginia Grice.
A giant of 20th century evangelicalism
“James Innell Packer was one of the three giants of 20th century evangelicalism: the evangelist, Billy Graham; the pastor/Bible teacher, John Stott; the theologian, Jim Packer. His influence on evangelical thought and practice around the globe has been immense.
Here in Australia we owe him an enormous debt. With the brilliant mind with which God endowed him, he was able to answer the dominant liberalism of the mid and late twentieth century and help revive classic reformed theology in the life of the church…”
– Moore College Principal Dr. Mark Thompson gives thanks to God for J I Packer.
Photo: Dan Gifford, David Short and J I Packer chat before the first Sunday service of St. John’s Vancouver in their new location, 25 September 2011.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…