Some things get better with age. I’m told wine does – but I’m no judge. To be honest, wine tastes like lighter fluid and I simply cannot bring myself to drink it. Some cheese does. Though I do watch out for mold. I’d like to say I do. But my wife can tell you better. Or should I say – she can tell you the truth.

All that said, J.I. Packer’s “Keep in Step with The Spirit certainly has gotten better since its initial release in 1985, and that even without owing to its expansion and update in 2005. For any Believer wanting to understand what life in the Spirit of Christ looks like, or wrestling with how to grapple with the complexities of Pentecostal/Charismatic teaching and practice- I do not think you can do better than Packer’s treatment here.

I remember first reading this book back when it was originally published. It was good. But now, after decades of my own reflection and experience, and, as mentioned above, the expansion of the original – this book is an exceedingly timely, Biblical and wise resource. It ought to be read by every thoughtful Christian.

Take note, this is not an especially easy book to read. Packer takes the time to reason very closely on controversial topics (i.e. spiritual gifts and the Pentecostal/Charismatic movements). And, he walks you through some very sophisticated Biblical exegesis.

This is not a book of fluff, nor of mere, unconsidered opinions. It is that rare combination of being both irenic and unapologetically truthful. Packer is generous, but honest. Thoughtful and careful. And he refuses to pronounce absolutes where Scripture itself fails to speak as definitively as we might like. No babies get thrown out with the bath water. No bath water is spared while the baby is still in need of more cleaning. No nonsense is tolerated in the name of unexamined love.

As is typical with Packer, the book refuses to budge at any point from its Christ-centeredness. The author’s conviction regarding the Spirit’s own Christ-centeredness leads him to write with the same cast. He will de-mystify what it means to be “spirit filled”. And he will point us over and over to the focus of the Spirit’s ministry, so that we are not distracted by what else the Spirit may grant in his ministrations. Like little children, how easily we can be more dazzled by the wrapping paper on a beautiful gift than the gift itself. Even worse – more enamored by the gift, than the giver. And just as bad if not worse yet, distracted from the focus, the purpose of the gift itself as intended by the giver.

Read Keep in Step with the Spirit slowly. Better yet, read it with friends. Consider the arguments with some deep reflection. Open your Bible and follow the exegesis with care. Deep and troubling questions will be answered. Not all of them. But at least they will be addressed in a solid and useful manner. Whether you agree with all of Packer’s conclusions or not – you will experience what good, analytical thinking looks like for a Christian.

As the title of this brief review states – this is the best book I’ve read so far in 2026. But the problem is, this sets the bar so high, I am doubtful I’ll read another one this year as engaging, helpful and Christ-centered. But, the year is young! And God has many, many treasures poured out through his children I’ve yet to encounter.