An Introduction to John Owen: A Christian Vision for Every Stage of Life

by Crawford Gribben

“This book is a helpful introduction to one of the greatest theologians our world has known and a healthy enticement to feed on Owen’s writings for a lifetime.”
― Joel R. Beeke , President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary; author,  Reformed Preaching ; coauthor,  Reformed Systematic Theology More than three centuries after his death, Puritan theologian John Owen continues to have an impact on readers. In his eight million published words, he addressed a wide range of topics, from theological and biblical commentary to social and political issues. In this survey of Owen’s life and work, Crawford Gribben captures the vision of the Christian life that Owen himself lived out―and hoped his readers would live out as well.

Genres: Theology, Biography, Christian, History, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Religion

192 pages, Paperback

Published July 21, 2020

About the author

A cultural and literary historian whose work concentrates on the development and dissemination of religious ideas, Crawford Gribben is Professor of History at Queen's University, Belfast.

Reviews

[Brian Pate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book left me wanting more, but since it is only supposed to be An Introduction to John Owen, I think it achieved its purpose.

Gribben explores Owen's vision of the Christian walk in each stage of life (childhood, youth, middle age, and death) by examining Owen's own life and how he ministered to people in each age group. As Owen aged, he became more comfortable with believers' baptism (54-55), preached more topical sermons (134), and prepared for death by meditating on the glory of Christ (137).

Of most personal interest was Owen's evolution from putting eschatological hopes in Cromwell's insurrection to repudiating political efforts to bring in Christ's kingdom (99-100, 115, 120-22, 148). "After a lifetime of work that most would have deemed a failure, and after failed eschatological hopes, Owen was waiting for Jesus" (139).

[Bradley Plausse · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very good for a 3 star rating. Ultimately it makes me want to read this author’s much larger biography on Owens, because I’m left with a lot of questions. I appreciate how the book is organized by subject that Owen’s taught on, in chronological order through the human life. The chapters on childhood and death were especially interesting and easy to follow. But the author tries to weave in Owen’s important work on the relationship between church and state in the “midlife” chapters, which was confusing and distracted from what I felt was the overall point. I think the author is in a bit of a catch 22 - is it better he ignore a major issue of Owen’s work in order to focus on Owen’s teaching on the spiritual life, or include it at the expense of the main focus of the book (especially since this is also an introduction to Owen’s for many readers)?

Eager to learn more.

[Evan Cruse · Rating 4 out of 5]

good intro.

what was certainly illuminating and comforting is the fact that Owen is one of the premier theologians in history but he never was overly settled on various issues. he changed his mind on baptism, church government, role of the state, etc.

goes to show that we dont have to act like we have it all figured out and that there is no room to continue to grow and change.

only downside is I wish I understood more of the English civil war because I felt lost in those discussions.

[Daniel Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good little intro less into the life of Owen but more into his ideas that were formed over time. The progressive nature of Owen’s thought was very interesting to see. It reveals that we are all finite beings who will always grow in knowledge. Now I want to read his larger biography.

[Caleb Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The environmental tragedy was touching his own home too: the firstborn, John who was born in 1644, witnessed the death of his sisters, Mary and Elizah (d. 1647), and brother, Thomas (d. 1648), before his own death in 1649. Owen never described the impact of these deaths on Mary or the pain and terrible emptiness of their suddenly childless home." - Crawford Gribben

As Gribben states, John Owen was extraordinary. Rich theology, exhaustive exegesis, and political commentary: Owen did it all excellently. I've had an interest in Owen for several years now since reading portions of The Glory of Christ years ago and have continued to read Puritan works ever since. This gives a glimpse into Owen's life, one that was characterized by sorrow and defeat. He outlived all 10 of his children and by the end of his life, the gains of the revolution against the crown he participated in seemed long gone. Gribben uses this somber background to help you truly understand Owen's context and contributions in it.

This is a concise introduction to Owen that left me wanting more. I definitely want to read Gribben's lengthier work after reading this. Gribben utilizes a unique format that I think strengthens the book. He essentially breaks up Owen's life into 4 phases of life (Childhood, Youth, Middle Age, Death and Eternal life) and mentions what happened in Owen's life before mainly focusing on what Owen taught. So, for example in the chapter on childhood, he talks about Owen's catechisms and his views on infant baptism. I think it makes for an interesting biographical-theological work and helped this short intro. In sum, if you have interest in Owen and the Puritans, this is a good introduction to get your foot in the door.

[Dr. David Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Owen is arguably one of the most influential Puritan writers and should likewise be considered one of the most formidable Christian thinkers in the history of the church. Crawford Gribben sets out to explore the life and ministry of this important man in his book, An Introduction to John Owen: A Christian Vision for Every Stage of Life.

A few short words in the preface nicely captures the core of the book:

For Owen, spiritual life was about increasing in grace and goodness, in fellowship with each person of the Trinity, in the local and visible, catholic and invisible fellowship of the church, in the context of an often hostile world … The good life would be enabled by divine grace and would extend that grace to others.

The author sets the tone in a stirring introduction that alerts readers to the high points of Owen’s life. Owen is presented as one who was reared in a politically charged environment. A serious man by nature, Owen is prepared for a life of scholarship and ministry. He possessed a stunning intellect but also may have battled depression - along with a host of other Puritan pastors of his generation.

A fascinating feature of Owen’s life includes living through the Great Plague (1665-1666) and the Great Fire (1666). The author presents Owen as one who continues to work, write, serve, and minister - even in the midst of the fiery storm.

The remainder of the book builds upon this grand theme of living the Christian life to the glory of God. Four basic headings guide readers through Owen’s life including his childhood, youth, middle age, and death, and the afterlife. Key works of Owen are mentioned briefly and highlights of his ministry are spelled out.

Overall, Gribben’s work is solid and informative. Students who are not familiar with John Owen will benefit greatly from reading this book. But longtime admirers of Owen will also be encouraged.

[Stephen Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent introduction from Dr. Gribben. He does an great job giving a well-rounded overview of Owen's understanding of the Christian life from birth to death, highlighting Owen's relevant doctrinal emphases for each stage of life and the historical context which influenced his thought. This book is a great starting point for those who want to explore more of Owen's writings and are unsure of where to start.

Also, I was unaware of Owen's close influence on Locke and the formative role he played in the development of the theory of classical liberalism.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done theological biography of Owen looks at Owen’s distinct emphases for each stage of life, from childhood and youth to middle age on to death and eternal life. Gribben also teases out Owen’s influence on John Locke and this classic liberalism and the emergence of democracy, as well as his ongoing influence on evangelicalism from the eighteenth century through the present day. Excellent book!

[Flynn Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

A biographically-driven theological portrait of one of English Puritanism’s most important figures. Gribben’s stress on situating Owen within his lived context makes his presentation of Owen’s Reformed schema not only more faithful to his times but also relatable for those far removed from them in the present.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved his last chapter on death. Owen faced death many times in his life (most of his children died before him) and, although it was filled with grief, he saw death as a culmination of what he's been writing and working towards— communion with the Triune God and seeing him face to face

[Ian Clary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this is written as an introduction to Owen, which it effectively is, Gribben's book is much more than that. Building off of his much more in-depth intellectual biography of Owen published with OUP, Gribben masterfully sets Owen in his political and religious context of early-modern England. The book looks at Owen through the lens of spiritual life, beginning with his early childhood--and his views of childhood in general--through his youth, middle life, and his end of days coupled with his reflections on death. Gribben's book is an honest look at this Puritan giant, this is no hagiography. Yet as the true Owen, in all of his complexities, comes to the fore, the more remarkable he appears. Gribben is right to say that Owen is one of the greatest theologians to come out of Britain, and he is also right to say that Owen was more than just a theologian. Alongside his pastoral ministries, he worked in the upper echelons of Oxford University, was a chaplain to Cromwell, and served as an MP. In Owen's latter days, after the Restoration, his writings on religious toleration would have a tremendous influence on the political philosopher John Locke. So much so that Gribben effectively credits Owen with the emergence of classical liberalism.
As much as I've read heavier works on Owen, and knew much of what Gribben was talking about, I nevertheless could not put this book down. I read it in less than 24 hours! It is written remarkably well, which isn't a surprise, considering the author's background in English literature. It also has some amusing asides, like Owen on vampires and werewolves! I also appreciated Gribben's regular nod towards Baptist as Reformed Christians.
Whether you're neck deep in Owen and Owen studies, or whether you're just starting out, this is an indispensable book. You'll learn that though Owen was as profound a theologian as Augustine or Aquinas (who were major influences on him), he was much more than that. This should now be the standard introduction to Owen for all interested parties. Thanks for a great book Crawford!!

[Cody Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful intro to Owen's life and thought. It's neither a full-blown biography nor an in-depth survey of his doctrine, but it's a short, accessible work that will help readers ease into the massive amount of literature Owen wrote and the volatile time in which he lived.

[Bobby Bonser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a concise look at the life of John Owen, captured/organized in a very unique design, by looking at the stages of his life and what he accomplished and believed/learned in each stage.

This was a mix between a short biography and a theological primer of Owen. Anyone who wants to know a synopsis of his life and work would benefit from it greatly.

There were some key take-aways for me:

1. We can learn from the way Owen suffered loss in this life. He incredibly and tragically had the burden of burying all ten of his children and his wife before he died. This profound loss in this world helped shape his view of and desire for Christ in eternity. It encouraged me to do likewise.

2. We can learn from how Owen grew in his stance of tertiary doctrines. This book highlighted how Owen evolved in his study and views on Baptism, Eschatology, and Millennium. I learned a lot about his views on each, but I think more importantly how he grew in his gracious disposition towards others who held contrary beliefs as he got older. At the end he held to a partial preterist, pre-millenial, and infant baptism position. In the book it said he had been through so much suffering and witness so much martyrdom and persecution for Christians that he couldn't bring himself to think that Satan was "bound" in any capacity in this present age. Though he acknowledged some of the best arguments from others.

3. We can learn from how Owen put less hope in politics as he aged, and more hope in Christ. It was surprising to me that early in his life, Owen was heavily involved in politics. Sometimes it seems he was so invested early on that perhaps his vision of eternity was usurped by what was happening politically. This may have been tied to the fact that he interpreted a portion of Revelation as being fulfilled in his present age with current events. Regardless, it was helpful to see that as he aged he put less stock in politics and spoke more of the joys of being with Christ eternally. He talked about that joy of Christ that surpasses all political and present suffering and power.

Overall this was a helpful book in the ways listed above and I would recommend highly!

My only critique of the book was that the thesis still wasn't clear even after reading the introduction. The author states that it wasn't a biography but more of a book designed to give an example of how to think in various stages of life. What wasn't clear throughout the book though was what exactly the author/Owen wanted us to learn on each stage. Each "stage" seemed to focus on only a few select issues (such as the ones stated above) and not necessarily about how to live and think through each stage. There were parts of the chapter that were very heavily in the weeds of academia, minutia and some more scholarly points and were hard to piece together the flow of the chapter and primary purpose/thesis. The thesis got lost throughout the book as it progressed and the ending didn't reaffirm what exactly we should have learned in each life stage/chapter.

However, overall it is a helpful little work and one that can be of benefit to any reader.


A section on learning stood out to me since I teach at a University:
"An individual who "attained the greatest height of literature if he have not Christ, is as much under the curse of blindness, ignorance, stupidity, dullness, as the poorest, silliest soul in the world," Owen lamented, for "the utmost that man's wisdom can do, is but to find out the most wretched, burdensome, and vexatious ways of perishing eternally." "Learning is the product of the soul's struggling with the curse for sin," he recognized, but it could do little to alleviate the suffering of the world without the light of the gospel. And so, he later explained, the "praise of Gods grace" ought to be the "end of all our Writing and Reading." Education could not achieve its redemptive purpose without grace-without the gospel."

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Introduction to John Owen
A Christian Vision for Every Stage of Life
by Crawford Gribben


Crossway

Christian | Religion & Spirituality
Pub Date 21 Jul 2020


I am reviewing a copy of An Introduction to John Owen through Crossway and Netgalley:



John Owen (1616–1683) was the most formidable of the English Protestant Theologians. Owen was born sometime in 1616 to a family living in the tiny village of Stadhampton, in Oxfordshire.


An Introduction to John Owen, highlights the Christian life he wanted his readers to have.



John Owen was one of England’s Earliest authors of Children’s books. He believed that Children needed to be educated in the Faith.




In this book Crawford Gibben approaches John Owen’s core intellectual ideas.





This book is well written, and researched, a great introduction to one of the greatest theologians of all time.




I give An Introduction to John Owen five out of five stars!



Happy Reading!

[JR Snow · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great shorter version of his earlier and larger work on Owen from 2016. In trying to be a biography and a sort of devotional exposition of Owen's thoughts on spiritual life through different periods of life (children, youth, middle age, etc) it fails as a great exposition of either.

What really interested me was Owen's influence on John Locke. Locke was a student of his at Oxford, and apparently Owen influenced his views on religious toleration.

I also would have wished for Gribben to explain the political issues surrounding the Revolution, restoration, etc, rather than assuming the reader is familiar.

[Erik Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Owen is often remembered for his towering theological works, but Gribben gives us a fresh perspective—tracing Owen’s life and ministry through the different seasons of his journey. From his early struggles in academia to his political engagement and pastoral labors, Owen’s life was marked by faithfulness amid shifting circumstances—even seasons of grief and doubt. In John Owen: A Christian Vision for Every Stage of Life, Gribben helps us see how Owen’s theology wasn’t just academic; it was deeply lived. This book offers encouragement for believers in all stages of life, reminding us that faithfulness in one season prepares us for the next.

[Wayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

An informative introduction to John Owen that uses a clever lens to his life. The book looks at the major stages of Owen’s life—childhood, youth, middle age, death and eternal life—and draws lessons about Christian living from them.

One obvious insight from Gribben’s book that I had not considered before: Owen spent a notable part of his career ministering to teenagers at Oxford (https://www.crossway.org/articles/joh...).

Overall, a worthwhile read for those looking to learn more about one of the great English Puritans.

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated Gribben’s 2016 academic book on Owen (Oxford University Press). Here is an introductory intellectual biography that situates Owen in his life and times. While I still prefer Sinclair Ferguson’s ‘John Owen on the Christian Life’ (1987) and commend it for its pastoral and devotional value, Gribben fills in some of gaps about the world in which Owen lived and ministered. Reading and re-reading Owen pays rich dividends.

[Eduardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mais que uma biografia de Owen, serve como exposição de seu pensamento acerca da vida cristã, do nascimento à morte. Fala sobre como esse pensamento em Owen foi moldado comparado à sua própria experiência de vida. Uma excelente obra.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

James read this, so I wanted to read it too.

[Simon O'Mahony · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent short introduction to the life and theology of Owen.

[Deax · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gribben deftly shows the humanity and courage of John Owen - a man greatly used of God through some tumultuous times in British history.

[Christopher Armani · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating look at one of the most influential theologians of the 17th century. Well written and documented.

[Coyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

" In his time and ours, many readers have been turned away from Owen’s work by the difficulty of his language and the density of his thought, for reasons that should be clear from the quote above.

And this is a shame, because Owen has much to say that we need to hear. He is rightly considered the greatest Puritan theologian (and that is really saying something). To help us access this great mind, Crawford Gribben has given us the wonderful little book 'An Introduction to John Owen: A Christian Vision for Every Stage of Life.'"

Read the rest here: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/schaeff...