Tag: John Owen

Seven by Seven

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Hello friends! A quick Friday morning post here. It’s early and I don’t want to write too many words but I did want to at least log my latest read.

62. The Works of John Owen, Vol 7, Sin and Grace by John Owen. This book was encouraging for my soul. My life-long march through the works of Owen continues. I shan’t go into this one in great detail, but as always with Owen, I found this book to be a fantastic aid to my daily walk with my Lord. The main discourses in this one are on apostasy and spiritual-mindedness. While the first half on apostasy was good and worth the read, the second discourse on being spiritual minded was truly ever so encouraging and convicting for my soul. I’ve mentioned this before upon reading Owen, but I don’t see his works as being primarily about gaining theological knowledge. Yes, there is that, but I don’t read Owen to gain more facts about God or the faith. Instead, reading Owen spurs me on to think about Christ more and to long to draw closer to my Lord. His writing can be tedious and overly discursive at times, yet somehow even as I wade through these waters, I find myself thinking ever more on what it means to be a Christian and how I want to fill my mind with the things of the Lord over and against the things of this world. Perhaps not for everyone, but for me, this was a beautiful devotional read and a book I’m most grateful to have read.

Devotional

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But this is that which giveth life unto the affections of believers; they know that in the enjoyment of God in Christ their eternal blessedness doth consist. How this is their happiness and glory, how it will give them an everlasting, overflowing satisfaction and rest, they understand in the first-fruits of it which they here receive. And this is the ultimate object of their affections in this world, and they go forth unto all other spiritual things in order hereunto. The more, therefore, their affections are fixed on them, the more they are kept up unto that due exercise, the nearer approaches they make unto this blessed state.

When their minds are possessed with this persuasion, when it is confirmed in them by daily experience of that sweetness, rest, and satisfaction, which they find in cleaving unto God with fervent love and delight, in vain shall any other objects rise up in competition to draw them off unto themselves. The more we love God, the more like we are unto him, and the more near the enjoyment of him.

-John Owen, Works, Vol. VII, page 482

The Temporal in Light of the Eternal

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Wherefore, in all these things, be persuaded sometimes to have an eye to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Behold how he is set before us in the gospel, poor, despised, reproached, persecuted, nailed to the cross, and all by this world. Whatever be your designs and aims, let his cross continually interpose between your affections and this world. If you are believers, your hopes are within a few days to be with him forevermore.

Unto him you must give an account of yourselves, and what you have done in this world. Will it be acceptable with him to declare what you have saved of this world, what you have gained, what you have preserved and embraced yourselves in, and what you have left behind you? Was this any part of his employment and business in this world? Hath he left us an example for any such course? Wherefore, no man can set his affections on things here below who hath any regard unto the pattern of Christ, or is in any measure influenced with the power and efficacy of his cross. “My love is crucified,” said a holy martyr of old: he whom his soul loved was so, and in him his love unto all things here below.

Do you, therefore, find your affections ready to be engaged unto, or too much entangled with, the things of this world? Are your desires of increasing them, your hopes of keeping them, your fears of losing them, your love unto them and delight in them, operative in your minds, possessing your thoughts and influencing your conversations?

-turn aside a little, and by faith contemplate the life and death of the Son of God; a blessed glass will it be, where you may see what contemptible things they are which you perplex yourselves about. Oh, that any of us should love or esteem the things of this world, the power, riches, goods, or reputation of it, who have had a spiritual view of them in the cross of Christ!


-John Owen, Vol 7, page 399

Hope

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Where Christ evidenceth his presence with us, he gives us an infallible hope of glory; he gives us an assured pledge of it, and worketh our souls into an expectation of it. Hope in general is but an uncertain expectation of a future good which we desire; but as it is a gospel grace, all uncertainty is removed from it, which would hinder us of the advantage intended in it. It is an earnest expectation, proceeding from faith, trust, and confidence, accompanied with longing desires of enjoyment.
-John Owen, Vol. 7, page 321

Surfside

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I have so much I could write about…but so little time…hence, I shall log my latest read(already a few days late on this!):

25. The Works of John Owen, Vol 3: The Holy Spirit by John Owen. And there you go. After more than a year(not exactly sure when I started it, but I think it was in 2017??), with gaps where I took time to read other theological works…I have finished Vol 3 of Owen’s Works. What a masterpiece of a book. I’m not sure how often I’ve written of Owen here, so I guess I should be brief. This book was all about the Holy Spirit and His work (mostly in our lives as Christians – but not exclusively!). Apparently this volume was not big enough to contain all of Owen’s thoughts on the Spirit though…as Volume 4 is called “The Work of the Spirit”! But this book was very encouraging to my soul. I very much hesitate to recommend Owen, as he’s a difficult read at the best of times, and most would probably not get much out of it. I tend to read so quickly though, that when reading many books, I miss out on the truth within because I’m just reading so fast! With Owen though…because of his dense and obtuse writing style, I’m forced to read slower and analyse carefully what he’s saying…and so in a weird way, I am more greatly benefited by his Puritan language than I am by more modern authors(like a Keller or a Piper…both of whom for some reason I’m not really either edified or moved by as much…). But reading Owen’s words on the Spirit of God – and how He indeed actively works in our lives and how this knowledge should drive us to holiness and dependence on God for all things…indeed humbling and thrilling all at the same time. I’m rambling a bit, I know, so I shall close. But one of my takeaways from this hefty tome is the beauty and sheer necessity of our holiness as Christians. When we sin before God, we show God that we despise Him and His words. Is that what we want? As we know that we are sons and daughters of God…as we know that we are a temple of the Holy Spirit…our driving passion should be to honour our Lord God in every word we speak and every step we take. Be holy, as our Father in heaven is holy. We are God’s children, fellow heirs with Christ Himself. Meditate today on what it means to truly abide in Christ. Remain at peace in the love of God, which burns brighter and hotter and more beautifully than anything we can even begin to imagine.

Black Lab

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Hello friends!! I have been having a nice reading time here on the couch in my room…sipping tea and reading some Owen. Finished the current chapter and realised I have only one chapter to go – 10 pages more and Owens Vol. III shall be conquered! Milestone, y’all.

Anyways upon finishing that chapter, I also realised that I am quite far behind in logging my reading….I have a pile of books that I’ve read recently that I have not chronicled here. Tragedy. I shan’t take too long to describe my thoughts, but I do want the record to show that I have read the following…

18. The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis. Still making my way through Narnia. And Silver Chair is simply marvelous. It never used to be my favourite(and it still might not be), but each time I read it, I like it more. The adventures of Jill & Eustace & Puddleglum…and their battle against the serpent. So many classic moments.

19. Young Miles by Lois McMaster Bujold. Another Bujold omnibus, so I technically could count this as 3(The Warrior’s Apprentice, The Mountains of Mourning & The Vor Game). But no – I shall count it as one. Anyways, after reading about the magnificent Cordelia, I moved on to the next book in the chronology and finally met the infamous Miles Vorkosigan. This book was a delight…although I must confess, need to take a break from Miles for a bit. Just like the characters in this book, can only take so much Miles at one time!!

20. A World Lost by Wendell Berry. I really cannot describe this one. I forget if I’ve talked about Wendell Berry here, but his books are truly some of my favourites. Harkening back to a simpler time. Describing the beauties of the Kentucky countryside…yet also acknowledging the true hurts and loss that reside in each and every person. Few writers touch my emotions as deeply as Berry does. This book was rather short, but no less beautiful for that.

21. Timescape by Gregory Benford. I don’t really know how to describe this one. It was recommended as one of the classic sci-fi novels, it was a delight when reading…as much as I don’t know if I can unhesitatingly recommend this one. It was a fantastic – yet dark and depressing – novel involving characters from both the ’60s and the ’90s…and this book was written in 1980!! Obviously it was fascinating to read about the author’s predictions for the “far future” 1998!! And it was just as interesting reading about his description of academia in the 1963…which was a time the author has lived in(and I have not!), so I feel as if I learned a lot about that time period. Still, the characters themselves sort of depressed me. Despite the fun time-twisting science bits, the characters cynical and immoral nature…was not the most fun to read about. Alas. So will probably not read this one again.

22. Death’s End by Cixin Liu. Another epic sci-fi novel which I shall probably not read again!! This is the third book in a trilogy by Liu…and as much as I admire Liu’s prose and his grand and sweeping tale of life, the universe and…everything(truly, this book fits that phrase better than most), the book’s worldview(er…universe-view?) was quite depressing. Truly – without God, all is dull and all are lost. And this book reflected that truly. I shall write no more about it now, as it’s making me sad thinking about it.

23. Persian Fire by Tom Holland. Finally a book I can recommend!! This book was simply amazing. Robbie recommended it to me…and yup, I need to read more of his recommendations. It’s a historical narrative about the Greco-Persian Wars of the fifth century BC…and if that doesn’t whet your interest, then you’re hopeless. Seriously though – I do love history, so I guess this is right up my alley, but even so…it was incredibly interesting. The author started by giving the history of the Persian Empire(I had no idea of most of it – reading about their conquests was riveting), then gave the history of the Athens & Sparta city-states…then slowly moved the pieces in place for the beginning of the Greco-Persian Wars. We obviously don’t know all the details(as the author stated upfront – there is much disagreement on the finer points, especially as the primary sources are all on the Greek side…and even those are limited!)…but what we do know make a wondrous account. As much as the history of the battles and political wranglings is incredibly interesting, one of my main takeaways is that all the people involved in this were…actual people. People who laughed, cried, had great passions and emotions…and most definitely were not as noble and/or savage as some of the popular conceptions. And even the great heroes in these wars…they may have had great moments, great battles, great years…but did that mean their lives were set from then on? Not necessarily. Some of the heroes on the Greek side…ended up eventually getting cast out of their cities and years later going and living with the Persian court. From praise and adulation to ostracism…pride indeed proceeds a fall. Anyway – this book was great. Very much recommended. I can’t wait to read Holland’s next book that is currently sitting on my coffee table…Rubicon. Guess what it’s about.

24. Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life by Bryan Lee O’Malley. Alright. I’m not sure if this book technically counts…since it is…sort of a comic book?? But whatever, I shall count it! And I am partly shamed, as I really don’t read comic books!! But when I was in Denver with Robbie and exploring book stores…I saw this and couldn’t help but pick it up. Mostly because I love Edgar Wright’s movie Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. Neither the book nor the movie are always entirely appropriate…so I can’t whole-heartedly recommend this. The characters and dialogue are quite well written though…I do love some classic high school drama!! Also, I now realise why the movie is so good. Pretty much all of its best lines are ripped wholesale from this book!! There are apparently 6 volumes of Scott Pilgrim’s adventures…not quite sure if I’ll pick up all the rest yet. But I did enjoy this one. (What that says of me, I shall let you decide on your own!!)

Right – so that was far too much of me talking about books. I am very relieved that I’ve finally logged all these books though. I can now go back to my current reads – Owen & my Hungarian novel…which you will have to find out about at a later date….because I have written too many words now and I want to go back to my tea…and pondering life and how much my God has blessed me abundantly in all things. He really, really has blessed me oh so much more than I deserve, y’all.

Peace and love.

A staggering And most Achingly perfect Montage produced To most Dazzling effect

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Besides, faith itself, as acted on the death of Christ, hath a peculiar efficacy
unto the subduing of sin: for, “beholding” him thereby “as in a glass, we are
changed into the same image,” 2 Cor. iii. 18; and that which we peculiarly
behold, we are peculiarly transformed into the likeness of.  And, moreover,
it is the only means whereby we actually derive from Christ the benefits of
our union with Him.  From thence we have all grace, or there is no such
thing in the world; and the communication of it unto us is in and by the
actual exercise of faith principally.  So it being acted with respect unto
His death, we have grace for the killing of sin, and thereby become
dead with Him,
crucified with Him,
buried with Him,
as in the testimonies before produced.
This is that which we call the application of the death of Christ unto us,
or our application of ourselves to the death of Christ for the
mortification of sin.

-John Owen, Works, Vol III, p 563

A Progressive Work

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Sanctification is an immediate work of the Spirit of God on the
souls of believers, purifying and cleansing of their natures from
the pollution and uncleanness of sin, renewing in them the image
of God, and therefore enabling them, from a spiritual and habitual
principle of grace, to yield obedience unto God, according unto the
tenor and terms of the new covenant, by virtue of the life and death
of Jesus Christ.
-John Owen, Works, Vol. 3, The Holy Spirit, p. 386

What glorious words.

And…

And they who of themselves can do nothing, – that is, in a way of living unto God,-
cannot of themselves preserve grace, act it, and increase it; which are
the greatest things we do or are wrought in us in this world.
Wherefore God hath, in infinite wisdom, so ordered the dispensation of his
love and grace unto believers, that all of them living upon the continual
supplies of his Spirit, none may have cause, on the one hand,
to faint or despond, nor occasion, on the other, unto self-confidence
or elation of mind; that so “no flesh may glory in itself, but he that
glorieth may glory in the Lord.”  And, therefore, as he greatly
encourageth the weak, the fearful, the faint, the disconsolate and
dejected, and that by the engagement of all the holy properties of
his nature in and unto their assistance, Isaiah 35:3-6, 40:27-31; so
he warns them who suppose themselves strong, steadfast, and immovable,
“not to be high-minded, but to fear,” Romans 11:20, because
the whole issue of things depends on his sovereign supplies of grace.
-John Owen, Works, Vol. 3, The Holy Spirit, p. 394

What beautiful, wonderful words.  Might I ponder on such things this night.

A Little Slice of Sunshine

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Hello friends…and happy Friday!!  I’m dashing off a quick entry before I dive back into work.  Had a lovely lunchtime break…walking to my favourite little Vietnamese place and enjoying my standard curry.  A beautifully relaxing time just eating and texting various folks and enjoying the goodness of the Lord.  And this evening has the potential to be just as wonderful.  No big plans, hence I’m thinking I’ll have burritos for dinner, watch a little basketball, drink a little tea…and very possibly read some John Owen, which I’m excited to report I have now resumed reading!  This morning much enjoyed my reading of him expound on the Holy Spirit and His work in the church in the New Testament.  Oh what a wonder it is to think on the fact that the Spirit of God is within us!!!  Remember this, and rejoice.  So yes – that’s my tentative plan for the night and I am much looking forward to this.  A book upon the lap and a mug of tea in the hand.  Very proper indeed.

Now I shall be off.  Peace, my friends.  Peace and love.

Glories Unbounded

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For when God designed the great and glorious work of recovering fallen man and the saving of sinners,
to the praise of the glory of His grace, He appointed, in His infinite wisdom, two great means thereof.
The one was the giving of His Son for them, and the other was the giving of His Spirit unto them.
And hereby was way made for the manifestation of the glory of the whole blessed Trinity; which is the
utmost end of all the works of God. Hereby were the love, grace, and wisdom of the Father, in the
design and projection of the whole; the love, grace, and condescension of the Son, in the execution,
purchase, and procurement of grace and salvation for sinners; with the love, grace, and power of the
Holy Spirit, in the effectual application of all unto the souls of men, – made gloriously conspicuous.
Hence, from the first entrance of sin, there were two general heads of the promise of God unto men,
concerning the means of their recovery and salvation. The one was that concerning the sending of His
Son to be incarnate, to take our nature upon Him, and to suffer for us therein; the other, concerning
the giving of His Spirit, to make the effects and fruits of the incarnation, obedience, and suffering
of His Son, effectual in us and towards us. To these heads may all the promises of God be reduced.
-John Owen, Works, Vol 3, The Holy Spirit,pg 23