Christologia

Despite wide acclaim for John Owen (1616-1683) as the leading representative of the Reformed doctrine of particular atonement, a thorough examination of Owen's views on the atonement has yet to be undertaken. This work is the first full-scale monograph on Owen's atonement theology and therefore fills the apparent lacuna. Drawing on recent historiographical studies on the intellectual history of Protestant Orthodoxy and the full range of Owen's writings, the author demonstrates that at the heart of Owen's atonement theology is his peculiar understanding of Christ's priesthood conceived in terms of the oblation and intercession of Christ, performed in the states of humiliation and exaltation. COMMENDATION "Edwin Tay presents a vivid and valuable portrait of John Owen's atonement theology. His book, elegantly written and meticulously researched, brings a fresh and original approach to a key theme in Owen's writings." - Susan Hardman Moore, University of Edinburgh, UK

Describing Jesus as an “agent” of divine actions, or as one who possesses human “agency,” is commonplace in christological discussions. Yet these discussions often wade in a shallow understanding of the terms' meanings and the theological implications of such claims. For example, while many theologians who are committed to the definition of Chalcedon consider Jesus one agent, we might ask if this implies that the triune God comprises “three agents?” Or, if Christ possesses “singular agency,” how are his divinity and humanity operative in his actions? In response, this work draws from the theology of John Owen and advancements in philosophy of action in order to offer an account of divine and human agency in christological action from within the Reformed tradition. It provides clarity to the christological and trinitarian uses of the language of “agent/agency” in Christ and attends to the theological (esp. trinitarian) entailments therein. While at first glance there may appear to be internal inconsistencies with accounts that subscribe to classical trinitarianism and Reformed Christological agency, this book argues that Owen helps us recover an understanding of christological agency that is internally coherent and theologically prudent. As such the Reformed tradition can articulate Christological “agency” in a way that is coherent with the testimony of Scripture, the ecumenical councils, and classical trinitarianism while contributing to contemporary theological discussions. The case not only provides terminological clarity and theological coherence, but also inclines Christians to appreciate the trinitarian love of God in Christ's action and the human sympathy of Christ for his people.

This is one of a two-volume collection of texts and documents issued by the International Theological Commission (ITC), a body of theologians that advises the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The texts and documents of the ITC address pressing theological issues, drawing upon theological experts from around the world who represent differing branches of theology yet who share a common commitment to authentically-Catholic theological reflection.

John Owen was an English Nonconformist church leader, theologian, and academic administrator at the University of Oxford. He was chosen to preach to parliament on the day after the execution of King Charles I, and succeeded in fulfilling his task without directly mentioning that event. Another sermon, a plea for sincerity of religion in high places, won not only the thanks of parliament but the friendship of Oliver Cromwell, who took Owen to Ireland as his chaplain, that he might regulate the affairs of Trinity College, Dublin. He pleaded with the House of Commons for the religious needs of Ireland as some years earlier he had pleaded for those of Wales. In March 1651, Cromwell, as Chancellor of Oxford University, gave him the deanery of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, and made him Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University in September 1652. During his eight years of official Oxford life Owen showed himself a firm disciplinarian, thorough in his methods, though, as John Locke testifies, the Aristotelian traditions in education underwent no change. While little encouragement was given to a spirit of free inquiry, Puritanism at Oxford was not simply an attempt to force education and culture into "the leaden moulds of Calvinistic theology." Owen, unlike many of his contemporaries, was more interested in the New Testament than in the Old. During his Oxford years he wrote Justitia Divina (1653), an exposition of the dogma that God cannot forgive sin without an atonement; Communion with God (1657), Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance (1654), his final attack on Arminianism; Vindiciae Evangelicae, a treatise written by order of the Council of State against Socinianism as expounded by John Biddle; On the Mortification of Sin in Believers (1656), an introspective and analytic work; Schism (1657), one of the most readable of all his writings; Of Temptation (1658), an attempt to recall Puritanism to its cardinal spiritual attitude from the jarring anarchy of sectarianism and the pharisaism which had followed on popularity and threatened to destroy the early simplicity.

Foreword by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger This is one of a two-volume collection of texts and documents issued by the International Theological Commission (ITC), a body of theologians that advises the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The texts and documents of the ITC address pressing theological issues, drawing upon theological experts from around the world who represent differing branches of theology yet who share a common commitment to authentically-Catholic theological reflection. Volume 1, 1969-1985, includes texts and documents exploring the following themes: reflections on the objectives and methods of the ITC, priestly ministry, theological pluralism, apostolic succession, Christian ethics, the relationship of theology to the Magisterium, human development and human salvation, Christian marriage, Christology, penance and reconciliation, the dignity and rights of the human person, ecclesiology, and the consciousness of Christ. "The special contribution of the Commission is to gain a hearing for the common voice of theology amid all the diversities that exist. For notwithstanding the legitimate pluralism of theological cultures in the Church, the unity of theology must remain, and empower theologians to offer some common account of their subject. In these pages, therefore, one will not find the exciting theses of innovative individuals. If there is excitement here, it lies in the discovery that even in our contemporary situation it is possible to say something together despite all our differences and so to take part together in a further exploration of the one faith of the Church. All the texts which follow are the fruit of a long and often difficult dialogue. In that dialogue, not only have various disciplines, methods and ways of thought found a common path. Over and above that, the wider dialogue of theologians with the bishops, as well as between bishops and the Petrine office in the Church, has found a voice. It is precisely for this reason that the Theological Commission represents an authentic continuation of the great experience of the Council and a clarification of its true bearing." Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger from the Preface to Volume One

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1812 edition. Excerpt: ... is exalted and made a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance and the forgiveness of sins. 2. A declaration of the way and manner how believers do live upon Christ in the exercise of faith, whereby according to the promise and appointment of God, they derive from him the whole grace and mercy whereof in this world they are made partakers, and are established in the expectation of what they shall receive hereafter by his power. And that two things do hence ensue. (1.) The necessity of universal evangelical obedience, seeing it is only in and by the duties of it, that faith is or can be kept in a due exercise unto the ends mentioned. (2.) That believers do hereby increase continually with the increase of God, and grow up into him who is the Head, until they become the fulness of him who filleth all in all. 3. A conviction that a real interest in, and participation of these things, cannot be obtained any other way, but by the actual exercise of faith on the person of Jesus Christ. These things were necessary to be handled at large with reference unto the end proposed. But for sundry reasons the whole of this labour is here declined. For some of the particulars mentioned. I have already insisted on in other discourses heretofore published, and that with respect unto the end here designed. And this argument cannot be handled as it doth deserve unto full satisfaction, without an entire discourse concerning the life of faith, which my present design will not admit of. CHAP. XVI. AN HUMBLE INQUIRY INTO, AND PROSPECT OF THE INFINITE WISDOM OF GOD, IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE PERSON CF CHRIST, AND THE WAT OF SALVATION THERF.BY. DEGREES Tj'ROM the consideration of the things before insisted on, we may endeavour according unto our measure, to take a view..