The purpose of this dissertation is to develop an understanding of spiritual formation from the perspective of sin mortification as advocated by John Owen, the influential 17thcentury British Puritantheologian. Byinvestigating Owen’s writings and theses on the topics of sin and sin mortification, we...
The purpose of this dissertation is to develop an understanding of spiritual formation from the perspective of sin mortification as advocated by John Owen, the influential 17thcentury British Puritantheologian. Byinvestigating Owen’s writings and theses on the topics of sin and sin mortification, we can draw much needed wisdom and inspiration for the theory and practice of spiritual formation. In this dissertation, we begin in Chapter 1 by discussing how Christians’ daily lives do not consistently reflect their faith in Christ. This phenomenon is the key to understanding the reality of human soul. When people believe in Christ, their sins are forgiven. However, because the influences of sin still remain in them, people become victims of guilt, frustration, and despair. It is here that Owen’s indepth understanding of the nature of sin, as well as sin mortification, provides practical hope in both personal and ministerial ways. In Chapter 2, the nature of sin is discussed from the perspective of systematic theology. Accordingly, the nature of sin is understood as deriving from lack of obedience to God’s laws, or, more bluntly put, complete disobedience to God. Due to one man, Adam, sin has universally become part of humanity. In other words, sin has completely dominated those who have fallen. Owen’s thesis, which states that even though the control of sin dwelling within the believers might have been completely destroyed, the inherent sin still influences the believers—the belief which is consistent with the biblical perspective. In Chapter 3, the principle of sin mortification is examined in respect to Owen’s theological and religious background. Only those who have been converted to Christianity are able to properly appropriate the principle of sin mortification. The non-Christians will not be able to mortify sin, since the major factor in sin mortification, namely, the Holy Spirit, does not dwell within non-Christians. Owen claims that the Holy Spirit is the direct cause of salvation and the practical source of power for believers in their fight against sin. Thus, without the Holy Spirit, there cannot be a genuine gospel, faith, church, or Christians. In Chapter 4, the spiritual formation through the power of the gospel is based on Owen’s understanding of sin and grace. The believers’ power to mortify sin derives only from the Holy Spirit who is poured out from God’s grace. The believers of Jesus Christ cannot be controlled by sin. Sin’s power might seem absolute, but the gospel has the power to change it. The gospel gives the believers the freedom of internal strength and the motivation to defeat sin. When the believers attempt to defeat sin with faith, the Holy Spirit provides the power. This helps the believers realize they have hope in fighting and successfully defeating sin. The power of God’s grace is given only to those who obey God. Paradoxically, when the believers rely on and obey God during the process, the extant sin helps the believers realize how great God’s grace is. Owen explains that sin that has not been mortified will weaken the soul and take away the vitality of the soul. Moreover, it will take away the soul’s peace and comfort. Therefore, sin mortification is the only way to prevent the deprivation of the soul’s vitality and comfort. In Chapter 5, the general perspective of spiritual formation is accentuated by Owen’s insight on spirituality. This chapter particularly deals with the believers’ intimate relationship with God, which is the ultimate purpose of Owen’s spirituality. According to Owen, the genuine spirituality is having “spiritual mindedness.” In Romans 8:6, spirituality is defined as having “mind controlled by the Spirit.” The purpose of spiritual life is to restore the image of God. The other purpose is to recover the relationship with God. Owen regards the relationship with God as the core of religion and the flower of spirituality. Owen emphasizes belief in Jesus Christ as the only way to recover our relationship with God. Jesus Christ is the source of all relationships we experience in God. In Chapter 6, the practical ministries, such as worship, prayer and meditation, are introduced as means of sin mortification. Worship is considered the primary means of sin mortification. Owen associates all theological themes with the worship of God. The primary purpose of ministry is to honor God through worship. The secondary purpose is to lead believers into heavenly citizenship through relationship with God. Other means of sin mortification are prayer and meditation. Owen advocates prayer and meditation as spiritual aids through which God may reveal sins’ secret history and activity, as well as hidden danger. Moreover, according to the Bible, the churches are strengthened and edified through the exercise of spiritual gifts. Owen emphasizes the fact that the vitality of the early church was mainly due to the evangelical ministries operating according to their spiritual gifts. Therefore, the church cannot grow and mature without the gifts of the Spirit. In conclusion, it is the Holy Spirit who works in the lives of the obedient believers so that they may lead a genuine Christian life. Although the believers are saved by Jesus Christ, there is a persistent problem of sin which attempts to control them inherently. Therefore, the believers must rely upon the Holy Spirit to enlighten them and empower them to properly mortify their sinful nature. Thus, according to Owen, sin mortification is the closest and the only way to have a restored relationship with God. As a result of sin mortification, the believers can then live a genuine Christian life of intimate relationship with God and accomplishment of his will.
The purpose of this dissertation is to develop an understanding of spiritual formation from the perspective of sin mortification as advocated by John Owen, the influential 17thcentury British Puritantheologian. Byinvestigating Owen’s writings and theses on the topics of sin and sin mortification, we can draw much needed wisdom and inspiration for the theory and practice of spiritual formation. In this dissertation, we begin in Chapter 1 by discussing how Christians’ daily lives do not consistently reflect their faith in Christ. This phenomenon is the key to understanding the reality of human soul. When people believe in Christ, their sins are forgiven. However, because the influences of sin still remain in them, people become victims of guilt, frustration, and despair. It is here that Owen’s indepth understanding of the nature of sin, as well as sin mortification, provides practical hope in both personal and ministerial ways. In Chapter 2, the nature of sin is discussed from the perspective of systematic theology. Accordingly, the nature of sin is understood as deriving from lack of obedience to God’s laws, or, more bluntly put, complete disobedience to God. Due to one man, Adam, sin has universally become part of humanity. In other words, sin has completely dominated those who have fallen. Owen’s thesis, which states that even though the control of sin dwelling within the believers might have been completely destroyed, the inherent sin still influences the believers—the belief which is consistent with the biblical perspective. In Chapter 3, the principle of sin mortification is examined in respect to Owen’s theological and religious background. Only those who have been converted to Christianity are able to properly appropriate the principle of sin mortification. The non-Christians will not be able to mortify sin, since the major factor in sin mortification, namely, the Holy Spirit, does not dwell within non-Christians. Owen claims that the Holy Spirit is the direct cause of salvation and the practical source of power for believers in their fight against sin. Thus, without the Holy Spirit, there cannot be a genuine gospel, faith, church, or Christians. In Chapter 4, the spiritual formation through the power of the gospel is based on Owen’s understanding of sin and grace. The believers’ power to mortify sin derives only from the Holy Spirit who is poured out from God’s grace. The believers of Jesus Christ cannot be controlled by sin. Sin’s power might seem absolute, but the gospel has the power to change it. The gospel gives the believers the freedom of internal strength and the motivation to defeat sin. When the believers attempt to defeat sin with faith, the Holy Spirit provides the power. This helps the believers realize they have hope in fighting and successfully defeating sin. The power of God’s grace is given only to those who obey God. Paradoxically, when the believers rely on and obey God during the process, the extant sin helps the believers realize how great God’s grace is. Owen explains that sin that has not been mortified will weaken the soul and take away the vitality of the soul. Moreover, it will take away the soul’s peace and comfort. Therefore, sin mortification is the only way to prevent the deprivation of the soul’s vitality and comfort. In Chapter 5, the general perspective of spiritual formation is accentuated by Owen’s insight on spirituality. This chapter particularly deals with the believers’ intimate relationship with God, which is the ultimate purpose of Owen’s spirituality. According to Owen, the genuine spirituality is having “spiritual mindedness.” In Romans 8:6, spirituality is defined as having “mind controlled by the Spirit.” The purpose of spiritual life is to restore the image of God. The other purpose is to recover the relationship with God. Owen regards the relationship with God as the core of religion and the flower of spirituality. Owen emphasizes belief in Jesus Christ as the only way to recover our relationship with God. Jesus Christ is the source of all relationships we experience in God. In Chapter 6, the practical ministries, such as worship, prayer and meditation, are introduced as means of sin mortification. Worship is considered the primary means of sin mortification. Owen associates all theological themes with the worship of God. The primary purpose of ministry is to honor God through worship. The secondary purpose is to lead believers into heavenly citizenship through relationship with God. Other means of sin mortification are prayer and meditation. Owen advocates prayer and meditation as spiritual aids through which God may reveal sins’ secret history and activity, as well as hidden danger. Moreover, according to the Bible, the churches are strengthened and edified through the exercise of spiritual gifts. Owen emphasizes the fact that the vitality of the early church was mainly due to the evangelical ministries operating according to their spiritual gifts. Therefore, the church cannot grow and mature without the gifts of the Spirit. In conclusion, it is the Holy Spirit who works in the lives of the obedient believers so that they may lead a genuine Christian life. Although the believers are saved by Jesus Christ, there is a persistent problem of sin which attempts to control them inherently. Therefore, the believers must rely upon the Holy Spirit to enlighten them and empower them to properly mortify their sinful nature. Thus, according to Owen, sin mortification is the closest and the only way to have a restored relationship with God. As a result of sin mortification, the believers can then live a genuine Christian life of intimate relationship with God and accomplishment of his will.
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