Nobody loved and admired Jesus Christ more than the
Puritans. And among the Puritans no man had a greater love for Jesus, or a
greater depth of insight into the Bible, than John Owen.
Owen lived in 17th century England, graduated Oxford at age 19, and became a Christian in
his early 20’s. He went on to be a pastor, chaplain to Oliver Cromwell, and a
respected educator. He is known today for his books on theology and Christian
living. He's still in print 320 years after his death.
Owen is hard to read, but he’s worth the effort. Here’s a
quote about the glory of Christ from his book by the same name. See what you
think. (Hint: it helps me to read him out loud.
So we may see how
excellent, how beautiful, how glorious and desirable he [Christ] is as the
presentation of God’s loving nature. He who does not behold the glory of Christ
as the representation of God’s love is utterly ignorant of these heavenly
mysteries. He does not know either God or Christ. He has neither the Father nor
the Son. He does not know God, because he does not know the holy properties of
his nature in the chief way designed by infinite wisdom for their revelation.
He does not know Christ because he does not see the glory of God in him. So,
whatever ideas men may have gleaned from nature or from the works of providence
that there is love in God, yet apart from them no one can know for sure that “God
is love.” Apart from Christ no man can come to a true understand of God’s love.
(The Glory of Christ, p. 19)
How often have you heard somebody talk about how they
“accepted God” into their life, with nary a mention of Jesus Christ. What do
you think Owen would say to that?
