Book Review: The Completed Works of John Owen: Volume 9, The Death of Christ

In Volume 9 of "The Completed Works of John Owen", we take a look at his collection on The Death of Christ, which are taken from two of Owen's most notable works, "The Death of Death in the Death of Christ" and "Of the Death of Christ, the Price He Paid, and the Purchase His Made."

I will have to admit this was a tough read because Owen because these works seem to be pretty academic. Even I read "The Death of Death" as a separate book, it was a challenge. 

In this volume, Owen shows why the death of Christ is important and on which Christianity must know Biblically. Christ's death is why we were given eternal life. Christ became our mediator and destroyed death. Yes, we will all die one day, but death lost its sting when Christ died on the cross. 

Universalism is nothing new. It has been around for centuries. Owen does make his case as to why universalism is unacceptable and only the elect will have the benefit for inheriting salvation who have received Christ as Lord. 

Once again, another good volume in "The Completed Works of John Owen." I would advise anyone studying this volume to take your time because Owen unpacks a lot. 

I received this book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The Complete Works of John Owen (Volume 15): Sin and Temptation

John Owen is done some great work on addressing the issues of sin and temptation. He is known for the phrase, "Be killing sin or sin be killing you." 

Granted most people who have read from John Owen has read the Puritan paperbacks which are great works of literature and would recommend them to anyone. Crossway is releasing the Complete Works of John Owen which is more detailed than what has been released in the Puritan paperbacks. 

In the latest released volume, Sin and Temptation, we see Owen's works on the Mortification of Sin, which addresses the Biblical foundations for mortification, what exactly is mortification and what it is not, and examining the symptoms of lust. 

Next, we look at Owen's work regarding Temptation. Owen addresses the nature of temptation, what entering into temptation is and not, and the duty of all believers not entering into temptation. Owen gives practical advice for his readers on how to deal with temptation which, as Owen puts it, is the duty for all Christians. We are not to fall into temptation. Thankfully, we do have a remedy when we do and that is confess our sins to God.

Next, we look oat Owen's work in dealing with indwelling sin. He begins by addressing the foundational passage for indwelling sin, Romans 7:21, which says "I find then the principle that in me evil is present—in me who wants to do good" (LSB). Owen writes about indwelling sin being a law, the natural properties of indwelling sin, fighting indwelling sin's deceit with the mind, and more. 

The final work in this volume is Owen's "Treatise of the Dominion of Sin and Grace." Owen addresses what exactly is the dominion of sin, does sin have dominion over Christians, and the sign of sin's dominion which is the hardness of heart. 

This is the fifth volume of John Owen's complete works that has been released, and I would have to say it is the most important so far. Christians need to be aware of sin and how it works. Owen does a great job applying the Bible to our fight with sin and temptation.

I received this book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: When Christians Disagree by Tim Cooper

Not everyone is going to agree with you. That is a fact of life. That is including those in the church. I always thought that Christians agreed on everything except for personal opinions. I was wrong.

Not every Christian is going to agree on matters of interpreting the Bible and theological beliefs. Not every Christian agrees on baptism, Bible translations, church government, etc. In our social media age, we have seen Christians disagree and sometimes it can get nasty.

Christians disagreeing with one another is nothing new. Tim Cooper, in his book, When Christians Disagree, dives into church history as two prominent figures that had some issues with one another, John Owen and Richard Baxter. 

Cooper begins with a brief look at Owen and Baxter's background which includes their experiences in life and their theological developments. They did have some similarities in their theology, but they had some disagreements that led to Baxter calling Owen a messenger of Satan and Owen condemning Baxter's pride and arrogance. Sounds like Christians disagreeing on social media.

I won't go into great detail as to what were cause their conflict, but I will tell you that, according to Cooper, Baxter and Owen never reconciled. This is sad that two men like Owen and Baxter never truly reconciled before they died. 

Why should Christians read this book? We can learn how to disagree and do it better than those who have gone before us. Yes, we may never see eye-to-eye on everything, but the Bible does say to pursue peace with everyone (Hebrews 12:14) and forgive as the Lord forgave you (Colossians 3:13). 

I received this book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The Complete Works of John Owen, Vol. 28: The Church, The Scriptures, and The Sacraments

Have you ever written to a famous person? When I younger, I wrote to Wil Wheaton who played Wesley Crusher on "Star Trek: The Next Generation." It was an assignment for school though I do not recall why this particular one was given to our class. I remember asking him some questions although I do not recall what I ask. I remember he wrote back and he did what celebrities do, he sent me a photo of himself. I did make an A on the assignment, which was one of the few things I got right as an 11-year-old. 

Have you ever written to a pastor or theologian to get his perspective on certain issues? I cannot recall but I know I asked a few on Twitter (now called X), but back in the day of John Owen, I am sure he got a lot of letters from people asking him questions.

In The Complete Works of John Owen, Vol 28: The Church, The Scriptures, and The Sacraments, Owen answers some questions given to him by specific people regarding topics surrounding the church, the Bible, the Lord's Supper, and Baptism. The first section deals with questions regarding the Bible. How the Bible came and the integrity of the scriptures.

The next sections address the Lord's Supper. Owen addresses the object of faith for the ordinance, the necessary preparation for observing the Lord's Supper, our duty to remember Christ's sufferings, and more. The final sections deal with how the church is supposed to work. Owen with topics such as church discipline and baptism. With baptism, Owen follow the Paedobaptism model which is followed by those in the Presbyterian church. 

Another great addition to this collection of John Owen's works. 

I received this book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Apostasy from the Gospel (Volume 14) (The Complete Works of John Owen)

 

John Owen is regarded as one of the most influential reformed theologians in church history. His writings have been published by various publishers including a number of Puritan Paperbacks by Banner of Truth. 

I personally have greatly benefitted from Owen's writings over the years. I admitted that most of his works are challenging to read at times. I am thankful that Joel Beeke is teaming with Crossway to publish his completed works in an easier-to-read format for all readers. Two volumes have already been released which deal with the Holy Spirit as The Helper and The Comforter. This volume, Apostasy from the Gospel, addresses the issues of heresy, repentance, and holiness.

This work begins with Owen's exposition of Hebrews 6:4-6 in defining what apostasy is. The following chapters address what apostasy looks like for those who say they were Christians, but they really were not. To summarize what Owen was writing, apostasy is a rejection of the gospel, love for the world, and no desire to be holy. The final chapter is about what can Christians to do to fight against apostasy in their lives. 

The issue of apostasy is a discussion that has been talked about amongst the people of God especially in regard to those who say they are deconstructing from the faith. This book will be a help in that area. 

As I mentioned earlier, I am grateful for this project. I am looking forward to seeing the other works that will be published in the next few years. 

I have received this book from Crossway in exchange for review.

John Owen: For God So Loved The World

 “‘God’ the Father ‘so loved,’ had such a peculiar, transcendent love, being an unchangeable purpose and act of his will concerning their salvation, towards ‘the world,’ miserable, sinful, lost men of all sorts, not only Jews but Gentiles also, which he peculiarly loved, ‘that,’ intending their salvation, as in the last words, for the praise of his glorious grace, ‘he gave,’ he prepared a way to prevent their everlasting destruction, by appointing and sending ‘his only-begotten Son’ to be an all-sufficient Saviour to all that look up unto him, ‘that whosoever believeth in him,’ all believers whatsoever, and only they, ‘should not perish, but have everlasting life,’ and so effectually be brought to the obtaining of those glorious things through him which the Lord in his free love had designed for them.”

In which enlargement of the words, for the setting forth of what we conceive to be the mind of the Holy Ghost in them, these things are to be observed:—

First, What we understand by the “love” of God, even that act of his will which was the cause of sending his Son Jesus Christ, being the most eminent act of love and favour to the creature; for love is velle alicui bonum, “to will good to any.” And never did God will greater good to the creature than in appointing his Son for their redemption. Notwithstanding, I would have it observed that I do not make the purpose of sending or giving Christ to be absolutely subordinate to God’s love to his elect, as though that were the end of the other absolutely, but rather that they are both co-ordinate to the same supreme end, or the manifestation of God’s glory by the way of mercy tempered with justice; but in respect of our apprehension, that is the relation wherein they stand one to another. Now, this love we say to be that, greater than which there is none.

Secondly, By the “world,” we understand the elect of God only, though not considered in this place as such, but under such a notion as, being true of them, serves for the farther exaltation of God’s love towards them, which is the end here designed; and this is, as they are poor, miserable, lost creatures in the world, of the world, scattered abroad in all places of the world, not tied to Jews or Greeks, but dispersed in any nation, kindred, and language under heaven.

Thirdly, Ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων, is to us, “that every believer,” and is declarative of the intention of God in sending or giving his Son, containing no distribution of the world beloved, but a direction to the persons whose good was intended, that love being an unchangeable intention of the chiefest good.

Fourthly, “Should not perish, but have life everlasting,” contains an expression of the particular aim and intention of God in this business; which is, the certain salvation of believers by Christ.

Source: For God So Loved The World by John Owen from Monergism

Jesus Suffered What Justice Required

Christ underwent the punishment which, in the justice or judgment of God, was due to sin. That the justice of God did require that sin should be punished with a meet and due recompense of reward, we have proved already, and shall afterwards further confirm. To answer and satisfy this justice it was that Christ suffered; and therefore he suffered what that justice required. And this is what is pleaded for, and all. We should have undergone no more but what in the justice of God was due to sin. This Christ underwent—namely, what in the justice of God was due to sin, and therefore what we should have undergone. Nor can it be supposed that, in the justice of God, there might be two sorts of penalties due to sin, one of one kind, and another of another. If it be said that because it was undergone by another it was not the same, I grant it was payment, which our suffering could never have been; it was satisfaction, which we by undergoing any penalty could not make; but he yet suffered the same penalty which we should have done. No more is intended but that the Lord Christ underwent that punishment which was due to our sins; which I cannot see how it can well be denied by those who grant that he underwent any punishment at all, seeing the justice of God required no other.

Adapted from The Priesthood of Christ: Its Necessity and Nature by John Owen

Foundations of Divine Justice

The exercise of this righteousness in God presupposes sundry things: The creation of all things, in their kind, order, state, and condition, by a free act of the will and power of God, regulated by his goodness and infinite wisdom: for our God does whatever he pleases; he works all things according to the counsel of his own will. In particular, the creation of intelligent, rational creatures in a moral dependence on himself, capable of being ruled by a law, in order to his glory and their own blessedness. The being and nature of mankind, their rational constitution, their ability for obedience, their capacity of eternal blessedness or misery, depend all on a sovereign free act of the will of God. The nature of the law given to these creatures, as the means and instrument of their moral, orderly dependence on God; of which the breach of that law would be a disturbance. The eternal, natural, unchangeable right that God has to govern these creatures according to the tenor of that law which he has so appointed for the instrument of his rule. This is no less necessary to God than his being. The sin of those creatures, which was destructive of all that order of things, which ensued on the creation and giving of the law. For it was so Of the principal end of the creation, which could be no other but the glory of God from the obedience of his creatures, preserving all things in the order and state wherein he had made and placed them; Of the dependence of the creature on God, which consisted in his moral obedience to him according to the law; and, It was introductory of a state of things utterly opposite to the universal rectitude of the nature of God. 

Only the right of God to rule the sinning creature to his own glory abode with him, because it belongs to him as God. And this represents the state of things between God and the sinning creature; wherein we say, that upon a supposition of all these antecedaneous free acts, and of the necessary continuance of God’s righteousness of rule and judgment, it was necessary that the sinning creature should be punished according to the sentence of the law. Only observe, that I say not that this righteousness of judgment, as to the punitive part or quality of it, is a peculiar righteousness in God, or an especial virtue in the divine nature, or an especial distinct righteousness, which the schoolmen generally incline to; for it is only the universal rectitude of the nature of God, sometimes called his righteousness, sometimes his holiness, sometimes his purity, exercising itself not absolutely, but on the suppositions before laid down. 

Adapted from The Priesthood of Christ: Its Necessity and Nature by John Owen

A Sacrifice to Satisfy Divine Justice

Man having sinned, the justice of God, as the supreme Lord, Ruler, and Governor over all, was violated thereby, and his law broken and disannulled. Every sin personally added to the first sin, which was the sin of our nature in Adam, does so far partake of the nature thereof as to have the same consequents with respect to the justice and law of God. In one or both these ways all men had sinned and come short of the glory of God, or were apostatized from the end of their creation, without power, hope, or possibility in themselves for the retrieval thereof. Neither was there any way for our recovery, unless God were propitiated, his justice atoned, and his law repaired or fulfilled. This now was that which in this eternal covenant the Son of God, as he was to be incarnate, did undertake to perform. And this could no otherwise be done but by the obedience and suffering of the nature that had offended; whereby greater glory should redound to God, in the exaltation of the glorious properties of his nature, through their eminent and peculiar exercise, than dishonour could be reflected on him or his rule by sin committed in that nature. This was done by the death and blood-shedding of the Son of God under the sentence and curse of the law.

To this, in this covenant, he voluntarily and of choice gave himself up to the will of God, to undergo the penalty due to sinners, according to the terms and for the ends of the law: for inasmuch as the sufferings of Christ were absolutely from his own will, the obedience of his will therein giving them virtue and efficacy; and seeing he did in them and by them interpose himself between God and sinners, to make atonement and reconciliation for them; and seeing that to this end he offered up himself to the will of God, to do and suffer whatever he required in justice and grace for the accomplishment of the ends of this compact and agreement; which having effected, he would persist to make effectual to those for whom he so undertook all the benefits of his undertaking, by a continual glorious interposition with God on their behalf; he so became the high priest of his people, and offered himself a sacrifice for them.

Adapted from The Priesthood of Christ: Its Necessity and Nature by John Owen

Be Guided By The Word

Always remember in everything you do in this world to be ruled and guided by the word of God and not by self, or by the latest fashion, or by the example of others.

Around The Web-November 8, 2019

Advent Sale at WTS Books

Up to 70% off brief books on the gospel

Systems vs. Victims by Jared Longshore

Christian Theology: A Working Definition by Luke Stamps

Typology Versus Allegory by Dave Jenkins

Brad from Theology Nights addresses Word of Faith/Prosperity Gospel on Christ is the Cure

I Went to Worship at the Metropolitan Tabernacle in the Heart of London, and I Was Not Entertained by Josh Buice

John Owen on Conversion by Sinclair Ferguson

Burk Parsons addresses why people are so resistant to Reformed theology

John Owen on Natural Theology

Joshua Sommer:

Natural theology seems to have become somewhat of a naughty word over the last century or so in Protestant Reformed circles. Men like Cornelius Van Til, Gordon Clark, Francis Schaeffer and others––though well meaning––have villainized the timeless principle of natural theology. The questions we must ask, as Christians concerned about the truth, is whether or not this way of thinking is consistent with the historical Protestant system and whether or not it there is any warrant for departing from the historical consensus if indeed modern thought is at variance with historical theology.

I cannot survey every Reformed theologian in this article. I can however mention some names and spend time on one particularly important person, John Owen. Before we survey his view of natural theology, I will say that Owen agrees with a chorus of men who lived prior to him. Francis Turretin would agree with Owen’s words below. Turretin, for example, says, “Our controversy here is with the Socinians who deny the existence of any such natural theology or knowledge of God and hold that what may appear to be such has flowed partly from tradition handed down from Adam, and partly from revelations made at different times (Faustus Socinus, Praelectiones theologicae 2 [1627], pp. 3-7; Christopher Ostorodt, Unterrichtung… hauptpuncten der Christlichen Religion 3 [1612], pp. 23-28).”

Read the entire post here

John Owen on the Reasons We Come To Christ

There are two reasons for coming to Christ in faith. The first is to receive life and salvation. But secondly, we come to him as believers so that we have "life more abundantly" (John 10:10). That is, to receive such supplies of grace as we may keep our souls spiritually healthy and strong. And as Christ reproves those who would not come to him that they might have life, so also he reproves those who do not come to him by faith for abundant life.

John Owen, The Glory of Christ

The Purpose of the Old Testament was to Show Mercy in Christ

The main purpose of the Old Testament institutions was to show the truth that remission and forgiveness is wholly wrapped up in the Lord Christ, and out of Christ nothing at all can be known of God's pardoning mercy and nor can the least morsel of it be tasted apart from Christ. If God had not set forth the Lord Christ, all the angels in heaven and men on earth could not have known that there had been any such pardoning mercy in the nature of God.

Paul teaches that in Christ the full revelation as well as the exercise of this mercy is to be seen in Christ alone, both in his being sent and his being declared and preached in the gospel. So this pardoning mercy and salvation was not discovered by good works.

John Owen, Communion With God

Christ's Humanity Is Free From Sin

The Bible says that all are born into Adam except Jesus. The Bible also says that all have sinned but Christ knew no sin nor did he commit any sin. He is our high priest who committed no sin.

One question that is asked by many is could have Jesus sinned while on earth. Did he have a sin nature like the rest of mankind? John Owen wrote:

He was the Lamb of God without spot and without blemish (1 Peter 1:19). He, as our high priest, "is holy, harmless, undefiled and separate from sinners" (Hebrews 7;26).

How could Christ take our nature and not the guilt and defilements of it? If Levi paid tithes in Abraham, how is it that Christ did not sin in the loins of Adam? (Hebrews 7:9, 10).

Christ was never legally represented by Adam, so was not liable to the imputation of Adam's sin. Had sin been imputed to Christ as a descendant of Adam, he would not been a fit high priest to have offered sacrifices for us, for he would not have been "separate from sinners" (Hebrews 7;26). Had Adam not sinned, Christ would not have incarnate. He would not have needed to be a Mediator for sinners. Therefore the moral necessity that Christ should be incarnate took place only after the fall. So Christ could not have been legally represented by Adam and so Adam's sin could not be imputed to him. Christ incarnate served God is a covenant of works in which he perfectly obeyed God without any sin. This he could not have done if Adam's sin had been imputed to him.

Neither did Christ inherit a polluted sinful nature from Adam. The substance of the virgin Mary from which Christ's human nature was made was sanctified by the Holy Spirit, so that the babe born was holy and undefiled (Galatians 4:4; Luke 1:35)...(Christ) "fulfilled all righteousness" (Matthew 3:15). His Father was always "well pleased" with him because of his perfect obedience.

Adam's sin was never imputed onto Christ. If that was the case, then we, as followers of Christ, could have been imputed the righteousness of Christ. The Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote:

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

What Does God Compare His Love for Us?

In Communion With God, John Owen shows us from the Bible what God compares His love for us:

1. A father

As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. (Psalm 103:13)

For you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name. (Isaiah 63:16)

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:6)

2. A mother

As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. (Isaiah 66:13)

3. A shepherd

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1)

He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40:11)

4. A hen protecting her chicks

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! (Matthew 23:37)

Around the Web-November 13, 2015

Collin Hansen talks with D.A. Carson about an old questions, does God love the sinner but hate the sin?

We Need a Hero by Chris Gensheer

Dave Jenkins talks with Jason Helopoulos about his book, The New Pastor's Handbook: Help and Encouragement for the First Years of Ministry

The guys over at Gotham Central discuss Comics, Gender, Race, and the Practical Application of Godwin's Law

Starbucks' Plain Red Cups Spark Controversy

3 Lessons on Holiness from John Owen by Sean Nolan

Elevation Church – The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

Christian comedian, Mark Lowry was at the most recent Dove Awards, which is the Grammy's for Christian music, to give a nice "theological" talk.

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.

Why Read John Owen?

If I had to read only one Puritan for the rest of my life, it would be John Owen. The first book, I read by him was The Glory of Christ and not was I blown away by the teaching in the book, I became a fan. Why should a Christian read John Owen? Matthew Barrett and Michael A. G. Haykin give us 3 reasons why you should read Owen:

1. He Had a Big View of God

First and foremost, Owen had a big view of God and a passion to see this great God lifted up in worship. The glory of God in Christ was at the very core of Owen’s thought, suffusing his writing and preaching at every turn.

Owen was radically God-centered. But for Owen, and for the Puritans generally, intellectual knowledge was not enough. Rather, one must know God experientially, or—as Owen would put it—experimentally.

In other words, it is not enough for God to be studied; God has to be served, adored, and worshipped. Truly understanding who God is and what he has done in redemptive history is meant to arouse our affections for God. Head knowledge always has to be accompanied by heartfelt experience, which leads us to our next point.

2. He Took Holiness and Communion with God Seriously

Second, we can learn much from the quality of Owen’s spirituality. In knowing God, Owen knew humanity. While human beings have been made in God’s image, sin has radically distorted them in every way. Every person stands guilty before a holy God and every person is corrupt, unwilling, and unable to turn to Christ.

For Owen, it is only through the effectual and gracious work of the Spirit that sinners are converted to Christ and thereafter grow in holiness and likeness to Christ. It is no wonder that Owen’s assistant, David Clarkson, wrote of him, “It was his great Design to promote Holiness in the Life and Exercise of it among you.”

And for Owen, this communion with the triune God was at the very center of the Christian’s sanctification and growth in holiness.

3. He Sought the Reformation of the Church

Third, Owen sought reformation, not only in the individual believer but in the corporate church. Owen was serious about both the Christian life and the church’s godliness, which in his mind was to occur through the preaching and teaching of God’s Word, the administration of the sacraments, and the practice of church discipline.

In this sense Owen was in line with the best of the 16th century Reformers. If there was any man who sought to initiate and cultivate genuine reformation in England, it was John Owen. If we desire to see spiritual renewal in our own day, we will do well to pay heed to the lessons we can glean from the life and writings of Owen.

Living for the Glory of God in Christ

It is sad that many Christians today have never heard of John Owen, let alone read this colossal Puritan. Owen simply is not read and celebrated to the extent of others, such as Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Jonathan Edwards.

Nevertheless, he should be. Owen’s writings are a gold mine just waiting to be dug up and discovered anew.

Be sure to check out Barrett and Haykin's book, Owen on the Christian Life

Other books by John Owen:

Indwelling Sin in Believers

The Mortification of Sin

Temptation

The Holy Spirit

The Death of Death in the Death of Christ

The Spirit and The Church

Other books about John Owen:

The Foundation of Communion with God: The Trinitarian Piety of John Owen by Ryan McGraw

Book Review: The Foundation of Communion with God

Ever since I read The Glory of Christ, John Owen has been one of my favorite writers. He has such a passion for God and theology that you sense as you read his words that were written nearly 400 years ago. I have to confess I have not read many biographies on Owen, so I feel I have not been properly introduced to the man himself.

Ryan M. McGraw has edited a wonderful book that gives fans of Owen as well as newcomers to Reformed Theology an introduction to not only John Owen himself, but his writings. The Foundation of Communion with God beings with a brief overview into what is means to be reformed then goes into how John Owen taught it as well as giving us a biographical sketch into who he is and what shaped his theology.

The rest of book contains short writings of John Owen from various books he has written covering a variety of topics divided into three sections. Those sections are knowing God as Triune, Heavenly-mindedness & Apostasy, and covenant & church. The book has three appendixes that talking about how to read John Owen, the listing of his work in sequential order, and more books on Owen.

This book is great for new believers wanting to know more about men who have gone before us. This book is also good for those new to reformed theology. As I mentioned, John Owen is one of my favorite writers so I could not pass up this book.

Thanks Refomation Heritage Books for letting me review this book.