A Brief Book Summary from Books At a Glance
by Steve West
Editor’s Note: Most of our readers will already be at least somewhat acquainted with John Owen (1616-1683), “the prince of Puritans,” but it is not likely that many have read him extensively. His works are not only voluminous – they are tightly packed and deeply considered. Owen is neither quick nor light reading!
Today we continue our year-long series of summaries of Owen’s famous works. We trust these will be of help in introducing and/or increasing your acquaintance with this giant Puritan theologian.
Summary, Part 2
Of Schism
Chapter I
That schism in the church is a great evil none need deny, but we also need to remember that divisions and false teachers have been clearly prophesied in Scripture to affect the church all through this age. Anyone who is truly a schismatic is living in sin. We need to bear in mind, however, that quite often the comfortable majority who have power may be at fault in a division, yet they accuse others of causing the schism. Catholics accuse Protestants of creating schism, and Lutherans accuse Calvinists of the same. In the same way, the Church of England accuses independent Congregationalists of schism. In fact, everyone who aims at godly reform in life and doctrine is charged with creating division. Enforced unity by the power of the state achieves nothing good and actually generates a whole host of evils. Some in Rome have argued that even if the church is in error, it is a worse evil to point out those errors than to endure them. This position, however, cannot be accepted. It is this sort of accusation that has often made those who are innocent of schism to be charged with it and condemned. . . .
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