The Revd. Dr. James I. Packer
Dr. Packer is recognized worldwide as one of the most distinguished Anglican evangelical theologians. The PBSC was deeply honoured when he consented to become one of the Society’s national vice-chairmen, a position that he held until his death in 2020. Dr. Packer’s public promotion of the BCP inspired many Anglican evangelicals to rediscover the Prayer Book’s firm rootedness in the Scriptures and its power to teach and strengthen the soul. When his home church, St. John’s (Shaughnessy) in Vancouver, one of the largest Anglican churches in the country, voted overwhelmingly to join the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC), Dr. Packer went with them. His influence was strongly felt in the production of the new official Prayer Book of the ACNA, published in 2019.
Tributes
- A Tribute to J.I. Packer – 1926-2020
Journalist Sue Careless offers a retrospective on the life, witness and legacy of Dr. Packer. Read here. - The Revd. Dr. J.I. Packer – R.I.P.
The Revd. Dr. David Curry reflects on the late J.I. Packer’s solid faith, deep learning, wide-ranging influence, enormous legacy of writings, and unswerving support of the Book of Common Prayer throughout his life, and his greatly appreciated contributions to the PBSC. Read here.
By J. I. Packer
- Rooted and Built Up in Christ (Col. 2:6-7): The Prayer Book Path
An address given in Toronto in 1999, on the occasion of the 450th anniversary of the first Book of Common Prayer. Dr. Packer speaks eloquently on the firm Biblical grounding of the Prayer Book and its “infinite power to feed the soul”. Read here. - Restoring the Authority of Scripture
An address given by Dr. Packer to members of the PBSC on November 2nd, 1996 at the Church of St. John the Evangelist in Kitchener, Ontario. Dr. Packer gives a penetrating analysis of the meaning and importance of Scriptural authority. Read here. - For Truth, Unity and Hope – Revaluing the Book of Common Prayer
From “The Machray Review”, 1992. Dr. Packer expounds upon the Prayer Book’s invitation to “soak ourselves in Scripture”, its unifying power, the encouragement and Christian hope that it holds out, and the clarity and richness of its language. Read here. - Our Anglican Heritage
In 1993 the Vancouver Branch of the PBSC videotaped a five-part Lenten teaching series on the Prayer Book, led by Dr. Packer. The five parts were entitled “Worship and Life”, “Principles of the Prayer Book”, “The Gospel, and Holy Communion”; “The Bible, and Bible Services”; and “From the Cradle to the Grave”. These videotapes have been digitized, and can be viewed on YouTube. Further details and full videos are here.