__Recovering an Ancient Practice for Modern Evangelicals__  
  
Historically, the church's ministry of grounding new believers in the essentials of the faith has been known as catechesis--systematic instruction in faith foundations, including what we believe, how we pray and worship, and how we conduct our lives. For most evangelicals today, however, this very idea is an alien concept. Packer and Parrett, concerned for the state of the church, seek to inspire a much needed evangelical course correction. This new book makes the case for a recovery of significant catechesis as a nonnegotiable practice, urging evangelical churches to undertake this biblical ministry for the sake of their spiritual health and vitality.  
  
"Packer said that the greatest challenge for the twenty-first-century church was to recatechize and disciple believers. These contributions from two of our best Christian thinkers help us to do precisely that. It will help you to see how to make not just converts but, as Jesus tells us, disciples."―Chuck Colson, founder, Prison Fellowship  
  
"More than a call to recover a neglected practice, Grounded in the Gospel provides concrete advice to us all for dedicating ourselves anew to rooting the next generation in the great truths of the faith."―Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Theology, Westminster Seminary California  
  
"I want to prod parishes of all denominations to listen to Packer and Parrett's cries and constructive proposals to better equip new believers. This is an urgently needed book!" ―Marva J. Dawn, author of Is It a Lost Cause? and Talking the Walk; teaching fellow in spiritual theology, Regent College  
  
"At last, a book that tells local churches how to fulfill all of the Great Commission! I highly recommend this book to pastors and church leaders who want to encourage Christian intelligence and maturity in their people."―Warren W. Wiersbe, author of the "BE" commentary series  
  
"This book emphasizes two critical factors: learning is important, and catechesis is about the holistic development of the whole people of God. Christian learning needs to make a comeback in the church. This book will help."―Linda Cannell, academic dean, North Park Theological Seminary  
  
J. I. Packer is Board of Governors' Professor of Theology at Regent College and an senior editor for Christianity Today. Best known for his bestselling classic Knowing God, Packer is the author or editor of more than fifty books.  
  
Gary A. Parrett is professor of educational ministries and worship at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and the coauthor of A Many Colored Kingdom and Teaching the Faith, Forming the Faithful.

__J. I. Packer__ (1926-2020), considered one of the most influential evangelicals in North America, was the Board of Governors' Professor of Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. His many books include Knowing God and Keep in Step with the Spirit.  
  
  
Gary A. Parrett is professor of educational ministries and worship at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and the coauthor of The Many Colored Kingdom.

Historically, the church's ministry of grounding new believers in the essentials of the faith has been known as catechesis--systematic instruction in faith foundations, including what we believe, how we pray and worship, and how we conduct our lives. For most evangelicals today, however, this very idea is an alien concept. Packer and Parrett, concerned for the state of the church, seek to inspire a much needed evangelical course correction. This new book makes the case for a recovery of significant catechesis as a nonnegotiable practice of churches, showing the practice to be complementary to, and of no less value than, Bible study, expository preaching, and other formational ministries, and urging evangelical churches to find room for this biblical ministry for the sake of their spiritual health and vitality.

This inspirational book urges evangelical churches to find room for catechesis as a non-negotiable practice for the sake of their spiritual health and vitality.

Packer, J. I. ;Parrett, Gary A.

Cover

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Introduction

1. BUILDING BELIEVERS THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY

2. CATECHESIS IS A (VERY!) BIBLICAL IDEA

3. THE WAXING AND WANING OF CATECHESIS

4. SOURCES AND RESOURCES FOR CATECHETICAL MINISTRY

5. THE GOSPEL AS OF FIRST IMPORTANCE

6. THREE FACETS OF THE FAITH

7. FORWARD IN THE FAITH OF THE GOSPEL

8. DRAWING LINES AND CHOOSING SIDES

9. MOVING IN AND MOVING ON

10. CHAMPIONING CATECHESIS IN CONTEMPORARY CONGREGATIONS

APPENDIX I: EXAMPLES OF CATECHETICAL HYMNS

APPENDIX II: RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY

Notes

About the Authors

Back Cover

Historically, the church's ministry of grounding new believers in the essentials of the faith has been known ascatechesis--systematic instruction in faith foundations, including what we believe, how we pray and worship, and how we conduct our lives. For most evangelicals today, however, this very idea is an alien concept. Packer and Parrett, concerned for the state of the church, seek to inspire a much needed evangelical course correction. This new book makes the case for a recovery of significant catechesis as a nonnegotiable practice of churches, showing the practice to be complementary to, and of no less value than, Bible study, expository preaching, and other formational ministries, and urging evangelical churches to find room for this biblical ministry for the sake of their spiritual health and vitality.

Makes the case for a recovery of significant catechesis as a nonnegotiable practice of churches, showing the practice to be complementary to, and of no less value than, Bible study, expository preaching, and other formational ministries, and urging evangelical churches to find room for this biblical ministry for the sake of their spiritual health.

Historically, the church's ministry of grounding new believers in the essentials of the faith has been known as catechesis - systematic instruction in faith foundations, including what we believe, how we pray and worship, and how we conduct our lives. For most evangelicals today, however, this very idea is an alien concept. Packer and Parrett, concerned for the state of the church, seek to inspire a much needed evangelical course correction. This new book makes the case for a recovery of significant catechesis as a nonnegotiable practice of churches, showing the practice to be complementary to, and of no less value than, Bible study, expository preaching, and other formational ministries, and urging evangelical churches to find room for this biblical ministry for the sake of their spiritual health and vitality.

J. I. Packer is Board of Governors' Professor of Theology at Regent College and an executive editor for Christianity Today. Best known for his bestselling classic Knowing God, Packer is the author or editor of more than thirty books. Gary A. Parrett is professor of educational ministries and worship at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and the co-author of The Many Colored Kingdom.

Eden Customer

THIS is an excellent book, but not one for the faint-hearted: it consists of just over 200 pages of carefully argued writing, and those who take the time to read it and reflect on it will not regret doing so. J. I. Packer probably needs no introduction, and his co-author, although not well known on this side of the Atlantic, is an American aca?demic and author. Although they are writing primarily for an Evan?gelical audience, some of the prin?ciples that they highlight are, of course, relevant for the whole Church.

Review from Church Times, 11th March issue

Grounded in the Gospel is a compelling, challenging and holistic call to our eternal roots in the faith. Thoughtful, thorough and worthy of widespread engagement, indeed worthy of our best application!

A GoodBookStall Review

The Good Book Stall

Widespread ignorance about essential doctrine is the reason why many believers are in danger of drifting away – so reasons Packer and Parrett in this substantive and important new book. Packer and Parrett set out to persuade us that only when we return to systematic instruction in what we believe, how to worship, and how to direct our lives, will we make disciples who are resistant to being blown around by every wind of teaching. The book is strong on analysis and demonstrates convincingly that catechesis has been a key factor at times of healthy renewal in church history.  
Catechesis has too often been rejected by Protestants due to its association in many minds with Roman Catholicism, or that it is dry or dull in formation. I concluded that this need not be the case. I came away energised, stretched and stimulated in the faith I have, and the faith, love and knowledge I long to yet attain. Grounded in the Gospel is a compelling, challenging and holistic call to our eternal roots in the faith. Thoughtful, thorough and worthy of widespread engagement, indeed worthy of our best application!

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