This Puritan was referred to as the “Prince of the English divines” and was considered
second only to Calvin regarding theological acumen. The son of a Puritan vicar, Owen’s
academic acumen was discovered early in life, and he was straightway sent to Queen’s College,
Oxford, at age 12. From which, he graduated with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. He had a
broad career, ranging from a small congregational preacher, to chaplain, and rising to the heights of Parliament and personal advisor of Oliver Cromwell.
John Owen
A staunch Calvinist, Owen’s fame spread quickly after he wrote of A Display of
Arminianism in 1643. In it, he defended the doctrines of predestination, the total depravity of
man, irresistible grace, the extent of the atonement, and the role of the will in soteriology.
Through the 1640s, Owen’s reputation grew as a theologian and preacher. He preached before
Parliament on several occasions, perhaps the most auspicious of which was the day following
King Charles I’s execution. His preaching and oratory deeply impressed Oliver Cromwell, who subsequently asked him to serve as his chaplain for his Irish and Scottish expeditions. Through these years, Owen firmly established himself as “the Calvin of England.”
In his preaching methodology, Owen went beyond the simple explanation of doctrine.
He believed that the proper teaching of Scripture would produce a living faith. Therefore, his
exposition led to life application. As Henry M. Knapp related, “doctrine was not simply an
intellectual assent to propositions but ultimately for the reformation of the person; the believer
sought the cultivation of personal godliness, piety, and holy worship.” Owen’s work was not
known for its ease concerning theological depth but was challenging to the listener. He appeared determined to preach the “meat of the Word” to those who would defend the faith. He did not hesitate to translate his deep theological acumen to those willing to imbibe.
Owen took his commission as seriously as any military officer. He saw the minister’s
role, first and foremost, “bless the church in the dispensation and preaching of the word, to the
conversion and edification of the souls of men.” He was careful to proclaim the evangel in the rendering of every sermon. Further still, he felt the ongoing commitment to discipleship in order to present everyman “complete in Christ” (Colossians 1: 28-29). Owen believed that the great telos of the minister was both to warn and to train the Body of Christ for its edification and proliferation.
Owen was not reticent to unleash fury from the pulpit and spoke from the Prophets
frequently. In his sermon on Ezekiel 22: 17-21, entitled “The Furnace of Divine Wrath: Israel is
to Me Become Dross” he likened apostate Israel to any Christian assembly that would deviate from their loyalty to God. He used the imagery of silver and dross and how the wrath of God would burn away any refuse in either congregation. He was an expert in deriving Old Testament truths and applying them accurately to New Testament realities.
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