The book addresses the tension between God's sovereignty and human responsibility in evangelism, arguing that God's sovereignty actually strengthens the motivation and effectiveness of evangelism. Packer's work is praised for its depth and clarity in a concise format.
J.I. Packer's 'Evangelism & The Sovereignty of God' tackles the common perception that Calvinists have a poor reputation in evangelism due to their high view of God's sovereignty. Packer argues that understanding God's sovereignty should actually enhance our evangelistic efforts, not hinder them. He introduces the concept of antinomy, where seemingly contradictory truths coexist, such as God's sovereignty and human responsibility. The book provides a thorough discussion on what evangelism is and how God's sovereignty affects it. Despite its brevity, the book is deeply insightful and highly recommended for all believers.
Quick quotes
Packer shows that rather than precluding evangelism, God’s sovereignty provides the most powerful incentive and support for it.
The author turns to a lengthy discussion of evangelism where he defines what evangelism is and what it is not.
For a book weighing in at a mere 126 pages, this one contains impressive depth and contains a thorough and satisfying treatment of the subject.