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 are pleased to 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.
Table of Contents of Volume Two
On Communion with God
Vindication of the Preceding Discourse
Vindication of the Doctrine of the Trinity
Summary, Part 2
On Communion with God
Chapters IV & V
Having entered into a conjugal relation with the church, affections that are appropriate to such a relationship grow between the soul and Christ. Delight is the overflowing of love and joy, and Christ and the church delight and rest in each other. In intimacy, people share their thoughts, and Christ makes his mind known to his people through the Spirit. He makes himself known to them, as well as the way that he rules and operates. Christ helps us communicate our own minds to him. Without Christ as the mediator and the Spirit assisting us and interceding for us, we could have no access to the Father. He teaches us to know our needs and to pray in accord with the covenant promises. Believers delight in Christ as their all-in-all; they want to be closer to him and they should avoid everything that threatens to draw them away. Christ’s spouse loves him and only wants to know his love more. When Christ is absent the believer feels that the sun is gone, and they diligently pursue him.
All that Christ ever did and suffered as mediator was for the sake of the elect. He was equal to God but took on human flesh, becoming a servant and dying on the cross. As the servant he endured hardship and did good to men; he fulfilled all righteousness. The valuation that Christ sets upon believers is seen in how much he suffered for them, bearing the full wrath of God. Christ values them more than the whole world, and the saints treasure him better than their own lives or anything they have striven for or attained. Christ endured the greatest agonies for us, and he continues to endure and cover over our sins in his love. In return, the saints will part with anything, including goods and family, for Christ. . . .
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