The Doctrine of Justification by Grace by John Owen
Far too often I’m guilty of only reading popular authors. So I’m trying to establish some consistency in reading puritan works, hopping to fall in love with a few of them. That’s why I picked up “the doctrine of justification” by John Owen. It’s a terrifying book. It frightens me a little. The language and spelling are not contemporary; long and complex sentences subdue the inattentive reader; but the treasure, the painstaking clarity of careful exposition with a mind and heart devoted to the person of Jesus, makes this book a necessary read for anyone studying the doctrine of justification. Here are a two quotes.
for the doctrine of justification is directive of christian practice, and in no other evangelical truth is the whole of our obedience more concerned; for the foundation, reasons, and motives, of all our duty towards God, are contained therein.
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Whether it be anything in ourselves, as our faith and repentance, the renovation of our natures, inheret habits of grace, and actual of righteousness, which we have done, or may do; or whether it be the obedience, righteousness, satisfaction and merit of the Son of God, our mediator and surety of the covenant, imputed to us. One of these it must be, namely something that is our own, which, whatever may be the influence of the grace of God in it, or causality of it, because wroght in and by us, is inherently our own in a proper sense; or something, which being not our own, not inherent in us, not wrought by us, is yet imputed unto us, for the pardon of our sins, and the acceptation of our persons as righteousness; or the making of us righteous in the sight of God.
Wow!
I read a lot of blogs, a lot of stuff on the internet…but this really stood out.
Caitlin, if anything Justin wrote stood out to you, then you need to read some better blogs.
Just kidding. Justin is my padawan. Pleased with him, I am.
Drew…you need to get Justin to tell you the story behind that comment. It will make you laugh
Yeah, it is a funny story.but drew, I’m confident there was never a jedi apprenticeship… You are neither jedi master or jedi knight..
“Be mindful of the living force”
Hmmm…do you two often talk in Star Wars speak?? I won’t be surprised if you start talking about Halo or World of Warcraft.