Finishing Our Course with Joy, by J. I. Packer. Crossway, 2014, 106 pages, $10.99, paper.

J. I. Packer—English/Canadian Theologian (1926–2020)—is well known to all of us, particularly through his many books. I cut my Reformed teeth on Packer’s treatment of evangelism, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God (1958, 1984). It left me eager for more, and I found great help in his now modern Christian Classic, Knowing God (1973, 1993). I grew into Christian maturity reading another classic, A Quest for Godliness (1990), a modern reconsideration of the Puritan ideals. This review focuses on his last book, Finishing our Course with Joy (2014).

The Puritan idea of “finishing well”—a life of perseverance culminating in those final years, months, and days in the life of a believer and “dying well”—looking beyond this life to the glory which is to come for all who die in the Lord. The thought comes both from the life of Paul which brought him to his martyrdom and the Puritan idea of momento mori (remembering our mortality).

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Tim. 4:6–8)

If you are reading this, especially if you are reading the print edition of Ordained Servant, you are probably getting older. Just ahead of you, or in my case, just behind, is retirement.

Some mistakenly think that retirement is not biblical. They fail to note the requirement that Levitical priests were required to retire from service in the tabernacle at age 50 (Num. 8:23–26). Notice that even those who were required to retire from service in the tabernacle still were to perform the task of “keeping guard.” Noting how shaky my own hands have become when serving the Lord’s Supper, the instruction to the priests makes a great deal of sense to me.

J. I. Packer’s final book, Finishing Our Course with Joy, is a short book, a little over one hundred pages, which can easily be read in an evening. It was written immediately following the diamond jubilee of Her Britannic Majesty, Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth. Sixty years earlier, Elizabeth had vowed before God to serve her subjects all her life. Packer notes, “She is a Christian lady resolved to live out her vow till she drops. She merits unbounded admiration from us all” (12). In his short book, Packer commits himself to do the same, and writes “in hope of persuading others to do the same” (13).

He begins with a profound observation that we are all getting older. You know the poetry of Ecclesiastes: trembling house keepers, bent strong men, few grinders, dim windows, closed doors, low sounds, white hair, early rising, dragging oneself along, readiness to go off to one’s eternal home (Eccl. 12:3–7). It is well worth looking at pages 15–17 just to read Packer’s comical take on the Ecclesiastes passage. The question is, How shall we live through this period of advanced age?

Packer quotes from a hymn by Thomas Ken, “Awake My Soul and with the Sun” (1674): “live each day as if thy last.” From this Packer draws wise counsel for living in this world:

• Live for God one day at a time.
• Live in the present moment.
• Live ready to go when Christ comes for you.

This is even more true for those who have attained the years of “ripeness.” “[The righteous] still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green” (Ps. 92:14). The point is, actively awaiting glory is a very different approach to retirement than that endorsed by the secular world. The secular world seeks to retire comfortably, with enough resources to live a life of self-indulgence up until a comfortable passing. Key themes are money (lots of it) and adequate health insurance to meet one’s needs and enjoy one’s prosperity right up until the end.

The Christian, in contrast, seeks to continually glorify God through the period of retirement and on into eternity. This includes

• life-long learning, growing both in our knowledge of God and in faith, trusting in him;
• leading others, serving as an influence or perhaps even a mentor for younger believers.

The Christian life is often described as a race. Even in old age we are to run this race with endurance, looking to Jesus (Heb. 12:1–2). We run to win the prize (1 Cor. 9:24–27). Packer writes of continuing that race through the “last lap,” ever seeking to glorify God, ever aware of God’s presence with us.

Packer includes a discussion of our souls and bodies and the purpose each bears in the plan of God. As I struggle with health issues, I can appreciate his wise counsel about the temptation toward “obstinate unrealism” and “pride” as we continue along the course God sets for us. His call to gratitude, to continued walking with the Lord, and to zeal is encouraging.

As we enter into advanced years, our hope of glory becomes far more concrete. It is no longer a far distant future for us, but rather just around the corner. We can almost taste the desire to leave this mortal body for eternal glory in the presence of our Redeemer. A new body, a resurrected body, a deepened fellowship with the exalted Christ should become a virtual obsession for those trusting in him. Even the thought of final judgment is no deterrence when we remember that Christ himself is both king and judge of all.

Retirement affords added time for service within God’s kingdom, but at the expense of energy. Teaming with younger Christians provides the balance needed within God’s church.

Gordon H. Cook, Jr. is a retired pastor, coordinator of the Pastoral Care (Chaplain) program for Mid Coast Hospital, and a retired chaplain for hospice care with CHANS Home Health in Brunswick, Maine. He resides in White River Junction, Vermont. Ordained Servant Online, January, 2026