The Foundation of Communion with God: The Trinitarian Piety of John Owen (Profiles in Reformed Spirituality)
Overview
The Foundation of Communion with God introduces readers to the Trinitarian piety of John Owen (1616–1683). Ryan McGraw’s introduction to Owen sketches the major events of this important theologian’s life and shows how his circumstances shaped his thought on the themes of the Trinity and public worship. The second part of the book presents 41 brief selections from Owen’s writings that trace his thoughts on knowing God as triune, on Scripture and worship, on heavenly-mindedness, and on covenant and the church. Appendixes provide readers with a chronological list of Owen’s writings and a guide to them for those who wish to delve deeper into this great theologian’s thoughts.
Top Highlights
“He that would utterly separate the Spirit from the Word had as good burn his Bible” (Page 55)
“the doctrine of the Trinity ‘is the foundation of all our communion with God” (Page 20)
“This distinction enabled Owen to root his covenant theology in the Trinity” (Page 18)
“The principal reason why men whose affections are only changed, not spiritually renewed, do delight in holy duties of divine worship is because they place their righteousness before God in them, whereon they hope to be accepted with Him. They know not, they seek not after, any other righteousness but what is of their own working out. Whatever notions they may have of the righteousness of faith, of the righteousness of Christ, that which they practically trust in is their own, and it discovers itself so to be in their own consciences on every trial that befalls them; when they cry to the Lord and pretend to have faith in Christ, they quickly make it evident that their principal trust is resolved into themselves.” (Page 87)
“The Reformed system of theology represents the humble attempt to apply the sufficiency of Scripture and the supremacy of God to every area of doctrine and life. This is the primary base that supports all Reformed confessions.” (Page 2)
- Title: “The Foundation of Communion with God”: The Trinitarian Piety of John Owen
- Author: John Owen
- Series: Profiles in Reformed Spirituality
- Publisher: Reformation Heritage
- Print Publication Date: 2014
- Logos Release Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Dissenters, Religious › England; Puritans › Doctrines; Reformed Church › Doctrines; Trinity › Early works to 1800; Public worship › Early works to 1800; Piety › Early works to 1800
- ISBNs: 9781601783394, 1601783396
- Resource ID: LLS:FNDTNCMMNNJHNWN
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-28T22:40:06Z
John Owen (1616–1683) is considered one of the most influential and inspiring theologians of the seventeenth century. He entered Queen's College, Oxford, at the age of twelve and completed his M.A. in classics and theology at the age of nineteen.
His first parish was at Fordham in Essex where he became convinced that the Congregational polity was the scriptural form of church government. In the 1640s he became chaplain to Oliver Cromwell, the new "Protector of England," and traveled with him on his expeditions to Ireland and Scotland.
In 1651 he was appointed dean of Christ Church and in 1652 made Vice-Chancellor of Oxford—positions which allowed him to train ministers for the Cromwellian state church. Owen later moved to London and led the Puritans through the bitter years of religious and political persecution—experiences which shaped his theological inquiry, pastoral reflection, and preaching. Owen authored one of the richest commentaries on the book of Hebrews, An Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews which are also included in The Works of John Owen along with sermons and essays.