John Owen (1) (1616–1683)

John Owen produziu uma defesa magistral da grande doutrina bíblica da Santíssima Trindade contra os socinianos, que eram os principais oponentes desse ensino bíblico em seus dias. Dificilmente veremos hoje alguém que se denomine um sociniano, mas não é tão raro assim encontrar alguém indouto e inconstante que segue as pisadas deles e nega a verdade bíblica sobre a bendita doutrina da Trindade, para sua própria perdição eterna (2 Pedro 3:16). Portanto a refutação que Owen faz show more das principais objeções dos oponentes dessa bendita doutrina permanece útil também para os nossos dias. Sobretudo, é proveitosa a exposição fiel e profunda feita pelo Príncipe dos Puritanos sobre os principais textos bíblicos que revelam essa verdade fundamental acerca do único e verdadeiro Deus: Pai, Filho e Espírito. ❝A Escritura revela o Pai, o Filho e o Espírito Santo como sendo um só Deus… A primeira intenção das Escrituras ao revelar Deus para nós é que O temamos, creiamos, adoremos, obedeçamos e vivamos para Ele.❞ (John Owe show less

I love to start my year with a Puritan Paperback, and this year's choice didn't disappoint. Of course it didn't--it was John Owen!

Wow. Owen maybe doesn't have the emotional resonance of Samuel Rutherford or isn't as pithily quotable as Richard Sibbes (both of whom I adore), but he illuminates the role of Christian teaching in our daily walk more beautifully than anyone I've read. Particularly the importance of a right understanding of the person of Christ, and how meditating on those glories show more fuels our spiritual life.

This (abridged) work is especially good on Christ's two natures, the union of Christ with the church and with individual believers, Christ's ultimate restoration of all things, and the differences between faith and eventual heavenly sight (SO helpful). Sprinkled throughout are little exhortations and practical helps. It's challenging and comforting in equal measure.

I really, really recommend this readable little volume. Savor it. show less

This abridgment of Owen's Discourse on the Holy Spirit makes for dense reading, and for me, it wasn't a quick, or even continuous, read...as evidenced by the fact that I started it years ago, taking in a little at a time. By now, it's been long enough that I feel the need to go back and try again from the beginning sometime. But the remarkable thing about this work, and my main takeaway, is that Reformed theology is absolutely suffused with the Holy Spirit. You could almost hand this book to show more someone as a primer of Reformed theology, I think. He is constantly active in believers' lives in his work of regeneration, conversion, and sanctification (the latter taking up the greater part of Owen's discourse)--constantly showing them the excellencies and beauty of God through the face of Christ, increasing their love for Him and conforming them to Christ's likeness by His power. Owen unpacks all of this methodically and often beautifully. show less

This nicely presented little work is one of Owen's lesser known practical items. It is well worth reading as it recalls the Christian to holy living and repentance. This whole series looks llike a very worthwhile effort.