John Owen (1616 - 1683) was an English theologian and "was without doubt not only the greatest theologian of the English Puritan movement but also one of the greatest European Reformed theologians of his day, and quite possibly possessed the finest theological mind that England ever produced" ("Owen, John", in Biographical Dictionary of Evangelicals, p.494) Owen entered Queen's College, Oxford, at the age of twelve and received a B.A. in 1632 and an M.A. in 1635 at the age of nineteen. "While at Oxford his tutor was Thomas Barlow, a anti-Arminian philosopher whose metaphysics were to prove a formative influence on the thought of the young Owen." In 1637 Owen became a pastor; in the 1640s he was chaplain to Oliver Cromwell, and in 1651 he was made Dean of Christ Church, Oxford's largest college. In 1652 he was given the additional post of Vice-Chancellor of the University. After 1660 he led the Independents through the bitter years of persecution until his death in 1683.
This summer I have resolved to focus on "Overcoming Sin and Temptation" by John Owen - Edited by Kelly Kapic and Justin Taylor. The book includes three of Owens most prominent works. 1 On the Mortification of Sin in Believers 2. Of Temptation: The Nature and Power of it 3. Indwelling Sin
Throughout the summer I will be posting quotes and thoughts related to this important field of study. Owen states, "There is no death of Sin without the Death of Christ." Thus we cannot understand the depth of salvation unless we understand the depth of Sin. Yet how does this relate to the believer and Sanctification? These questions will be looked upon in the coming months as we seek to understand the glories of the cross, in the life of the redeemed, for the glory of He who saved me.
