The Works of John Owen, Vol. 2: On Communion with God

by John Owen

Publisher:

T&T Clark

, 1851

One of his greatest works, John Owen draws from clear, Biblical exposition to outline the place of the Trinity in Christian doctrine and practice. Owen examines the doctrine of the Trinity and its centrality in Christian orthodoxy, and he counters rationalist skeptics and mystic opponents.

Key Features

• Outlines place of the Trinity in Christian practice
• Answers opponents' view of the Trinity

Contents

• Vindication of the Preceding Discourse
• Vindication of the Doctrine of the Trinity

Top Highlights

“Now, of the things which have been delivered this is the sum:—there is no grace whereby our souls go forth unto God, no act of divine worship yielded unto him, no duty or obedience performed, but they are distinctly directed unto Father, Son, and Spirit. Now, by these and such like ways as these, do we hold communion with God; and therefore we have that communion distinctly, as hath been described.” (Page 15)

“The way and means, then, on the part of the saints, whereby in Christ they enjoy communion with God, are all the spiritual and holy actings¹ and outgoings of their souls in those graces, and by those ways, wherein both the moral and instituted worship of God doth consist. Faith, love, trust, joy, etc., are the natural or moral worship of God, whereby those in whom they are have communion with him.” (Page 11)

“The term ‘Communion’ as used by Owen, is used in a wider sense than is consistent with that which is now generally attached to it in religious phraseology. It denotes not merely the interchange of feeling between God in his gracious character and a soul in a gracious state, but the gracious relationship upon which this holy interchange is based. On the part of Christ, for example, all his work and its results are described, from the atonement till it takes effect in the actual justification of the sinner.” (Page 2)

“For through Christ we have access by one Spirit unto the Father’ Eph. 2:18. Our access unto God (wherein we have communion with him) is διὰ Χριστοῦ, ‘through Christ’ ἐν Πνεύματι, ‘in the Spirit’ and πρὸς τὸν Πατέρα, ‘unto the Father’—the persons being here considered as engaged distinctly unto the accomplishment of the counsel of the will of God revealed in the gospel.” (Page 10)

Endorsements

For solidity, profundity, massiveness and majesty in exhibiting from Scripture God’s ways with sinful mankind there is no one to touch him.

—J. I. Packer, author

To have known the pastoral ministry of John Owen . . . (albeit in written form) has been a rich privilege; to have known Owen’s God an even greater one.

—Sinclair Ferguson, professor, Redeemer Seminary, Dallas, Texas

John [Owen], English theologian, was without doubt not only the greatest theologian of the English Puritan movement but also one of the greatest European Reformed theologians of his day, and quite possibly possessed the finest theological mind that England ever produced.

—Carl R. Trueman

Product Details

• Title: Works of John Owen: Volume 2
• Author: John Owen
• Series: Works of John Owen
• Volume: 2
• Publisher: T&T Clark
• Print Publication Date: 1851
• Logos Release Date: 2008
• Era: era:reformation
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Theology › Early works to 1800; Puritans
• Resource ID: LLS:WORKSOWEN02
• Resource Type: text.monograph.collected-work
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-02-12T07:36:54Z

About John Owen

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.