Book Review: Overcoming Sin and Temptation by John Owen

If I had to pick one Puritan to read for the read of my life, it would be John Owen. I love the depth he communicates in his writings and his passion for the gospel. His teachings on holiness and the mortification of the flesh is much needed in our day and age.

Crossway has produced a book, which contains three of Owen's classic works, The Mortification of Sin, Temptation, and Indwelling Sin in Believers, called Overcoming Sin and Temptation which was edited by Justin Taylor and Kelly M Kapic with John Piper writing the Forward for the book.

According to Justin Taylor, the goal of this book was to "reintroduce John Owen to the church today." One of the biggest complaints about Owen is that he can be hard to read, which the same can be said about a lot of the Puritans. This book takes the books I mentioned above, and make it where it is easier to understand so people in the 21st century can read it.

In dealing with the mortification of sin, Owen writes why is it important along with the nature and means of mortification. In temptation, Owen addresses the dangers regarding temptation and how a believer can overcome it. Owen talks about the power of indwelling sin in the life of a believer and what we do to fight it. All of these issues are important for every Christian and for the last 2,000 years since Jesus was on earth.

It is always a good thing for Christians to read works from those who have gone before us such as Jonathan Edwards, Thomas Watson, and even John Owen. Sometimes I find myself a little envious because they had a greater view of God than I ever will and did not have the distractions of 21st century life so they can see the greatest of God in the Bible.

Fans of John Owen will love this book. If you have never read anything by John Owen, this will be a great place to start.

Thanks Crossway for letting me review this book.