Sinclair Ferguson could hardly give a more enthusiastic endorsement to this book than he does in the opening line of his Introduction. This book, he says, is “probably one of the most important books you could ever read.” Why? Because of its subject, of course. But also because here that subject is treated with famous depth and rich insight; its intended design is “to help us grow in knowledge in order that we may grow in faith and hope and love,” “to reach the heart and conscience by instructing the mind: The re-enthroning of the Person, Spirit, Grace, and authority of Christ, in the hearts and consciences of men.”
If to be Evangelical – indeed, if to be Christian – is to be Christ-centered, then informed reflection on our Lord’s glories ought to be our bread and butter, and, as Mark Jones remarks in his endorsement, “If there is a richer book on Christology in the English language, I am not aware of it.” “I don’t always read the same book five times,” he writes, “but when I do, it is this one by John Owen.”
The full title of this work, originally, is
Christologia: or, a Declaration of the Glorious Mystery of the Person of Christ—God and Man: with the Infinite Wisdom, Love, and Power of God in the Contrivance and Constitution thereof; as also, of the Grounds and Reasons of His Incarnation; the Nature of His Ministry in Heaven; the Present State of the Church above thereon; and the Use of His Person in Religion: with an Account and Vindication of the Honour, Worship, Faith, Love, and Obedience due to Him, in and from the Church.
This new edition includes a few features from the publisher intended to make Owen’s work more user-friendly:
- The text has been divided into nine chapters.
- Subheadings, sometimes extending to four levels and mainly based on the original numeric structure, have been inserted. The contents pages include primary and secondary subheadings to aid navigation.
- Sentences enumerating more than fi ve or six items, lists of more than one sentence, selected notes, and some ‘digressions’ are broken off from the main text and displayed.
- The style and placement of biblical references has been made consistent with modern practice and Roman numerals have been changed to Arabic.
- Words such as ‘unto’ become ‘to’ or ‘doth consist’ becomes ‘consists’.
Owen’s famously enriching work has never been more accessible, and Ferguson’s Introduction is an added bonus.
Fred Zaspel