Some more Owen

Which for most of you probably means, I'm going to skip reading this blog entry. But it is just too good!

Some background. This is Owen answering the question, what causes men in general to forsake the gospel for a course of open sin. Why would men do this? It was a pressing question in 17th century England, as the effects of the Reformation on the zeal and devotion of the ordinary believer was dwindling.

It might also serve to answer the same question for our generation. Why do men pass by true Christian religion without a thought or concern for their soul? There are many answers, and Owen gives nine total. Here is merely one of the answers he presents. I find it very relevant to out time...

VIII. Moreover, among the occasions of the present decay of holiness and the power of Christianity in the world, we may reckon the scandal that hath been given by or is justly taken at those who have professed the most strict obedience unto the rules of the gospel.

[in other words...men see the most strict professors (which today may be taken for evangelicals) and are put off by the "scandals" present in their lives. By this he does not mean the scandals of public unholiness, like a Ted Haggard. Oh, and by "professors" he does not mean college professors. He means, people who "profess" that they follow Christ and the gospel. It took me a while to figure that out.]

Of these I shall mention two only, which are the most obvious and extensive--

1. Offence hath been taken at the divisions that have been among them, and continue so to be, with the management of them in an evil, contentious frame of spirit. The Lord Christ hath declared and appointed that the mutual love of his disciples should be the great testimony of the truth of his doctrine and the sincerity of their obedience...[he talks at great length about the divisions that sprung up in the primitive church, and then among the reformers]...It is much otherwise among the strictest sorts of professors at this day? Do not some seem to aim at nothing more than to multiply and increase divisions, and to delight in nothing more than to live and dispute in the flames of them?

2. Great offence is given to the world by the uselessness of professors, and in that they are not, what they ought to be, the common good and blessing of mankind. There is a selfish spirit on many of them, whence, contenting themselves with abstinence from known sins, and the performance of the religious duties of divine worship, they are of little or no use unto others. Some will be kind, benign, helpful, good, in some measure unto other men, but yet will and do give undue bounds and limits unto their actings in this kind...As for love, condescension, benignity, kindness, readiness to help, assist, and relieve all mankind, yea, the worst of men, as they have opportunity, they understand them not, yea, have many pretences that they are not require of them...One professor that is kind, benign, condescending, charitable, useful, ready to become all things unto all men for their good, brings more glory to the gospel than a hundred who are looked on as those who live too much unto themselves.


That phrase is striking...avoid known sins and performance of religious duties of divine worship. That would describe much of Christianity as we know it today...