Product Description
John Owen has long been recognized by evangelicals as one of the greatest of all English-speaking theological classics. Like Augustine, whom he so admired, Owen’s thinking touched both the depths of sin and the heights of grace. Many of his readers have come away from reading him on such themes as temptation, or indwelling sin, feeling that Owen knew them through and through.
The truth is that Owen had come-by intensive and constant study of both Scripture and the human heart- to know both himself and God. It was out of this rich experience that he preached and wrote on the loftiest themes of Christian theology.
Because of this background, Owen’s teaching was always pastoral in its concern. His aim, said his assistant David Clarkson, was ‘to promote holiness’. Consequently his work has survived through the centuries and is now more widely recognized and appreciated than it has been for many years. His writings address the fundamental issues Christians face in every age: How can I live the Christian life? How am I to deal with sin and temptation? How can I find assurance, and live for the honour of Jesus Christ?
John Owen on the Christian Life expounds Owen’s teaching on these and related themes. The first book-length study of any aspect of Owen’s thought, it also stands on its own as a study in pastoral theology. Ministers, Christian leaders, readers of Owen, and those who are daunted by the sheer voluminousness of his writings will find this book an ideal companion.
Paperback, 316 pages
Publication Date: 1987
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
1. JOHN OWEN AND HIS CHRISTIAN LIFE
i. The beginnings of his ministry
ii. The Congregationalist
iii. A Wider sphere of influence
iv. Dean and Vice-Chancellor
v. The Congregational leader
vi. Last days
2. THE PLAN OF SALVATION
1. The Doctrine of the Covenant
i. The Covenant of Works
ii. The Covenant of Grace
iii. The Covenant of Redemption
iv. The Covenant at Sinai
2. Union with Christ
3. GRACE REIGNS THROUGH RIGHTEOUSNESS
i. The Effects of sin
ii. Regeneration
iii. The Use of the law
iv. The Structure of sanctification
v. The Progress of sanctification
(1) Negatively considered
(2) Positively considered
vi. Restoration of the image of God
vii. The Christian’s duty:
(1) To honour Christ
(2) To mortify sin
4. FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
i. Communion with the Father
ii. Communion with the Son
iii. Communion with the Holy Spirit
THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION
i. The assurance of forgiveness
ii. Practical rules for assurance
iii. Hindrances to assurance
iv. The seal of the Spirit
5. CONFLICT WITH SIN
i. Sin’s dominion ended
ii. Sin’s presence continued
iii. Temptations abound
iv. Mortification required
6. THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE SAINTS
1. The Nature and Government of the Church
i. The Lord’s congregation
ii. Order in the church
iii. Ministry in the church
iv. Unity of the church
2. The Individual in the Church
i. Valid church life
ii. The charge of schism
iii. Church membership
iv. Discipline
7. SCRIPTURE AND MINISTRY
1. Scripture
i. Inspiration
ii. Authority
iii. Preservation
iv. Attestation
v. Understanding
vi. Influence
2. Ministry
i. Gifts and graces
ii. Extraordinary gifts
iii. Ordinary gifts
8. SACRAMENTS AND PRAYER
1. Sacraments
i. Baptism: initiation into covenant life
ii. Lord’s Supper: covenant seal
2. Prayer
i. A covenant privilege
(1) The matter of prayer
(2) The manner of prayer
ii. A Scriptural duty
9. APOSTASY AND ITS PREVENTION
1. The Danger of Apostasy
i. Apostasy from gospel doctrine
ii. Apostasy from gospel holiness
iii. Apostasy from gospel worship
2. Spiritual Mindedness the Preservative
i. The objects of spiritual thoughts
ii. The nature of spiritual mindedness
iii. The development of spiritual mindedness
10. PERSEVERANCE AND THE GOAL
1. Perseverance
2. The Goal
i. Christian character
ii. Eternal glory
11. POSTSCRIPT
INDEX 1 (Names and Subjects)
INDEX 2 (Biblical References)
Author
Sinclair Buchanan Ferguson held the position of the Charles Krahe chair for Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, and served as pastor to congregations in both Scotland and in the United States. A well-published author with a deep understanding of Scripture, Sinclair Ferguson books range from Child in the Manger, where Ferguson shares the true meaning of Christmas with impeccable scholarship and worshipful adoration, to From the Mouth of God, where he helps readers to trust, read and apply the lessons of the Bible as he answers questions Christians often wonder about. Sinclair Ferguson’s Sermon on the Mount has been called the “perfect blend of scholarship and inspiration…a truly valuable book” by Book Journal, while Devoted to God has been labeled as “brilliant,” one “fit to enter the rare company of the Christian classics.” Ferguson himself described material found in Devoted to God as “blueprints for sanctification.”
