| dc.description.abstract | This study demonstrates the thesis that John Owen's covenant theology profoundly
influences his doctrine of justification by faith. Owen's belief that all true theology is
based on a covenant is entirely consistent with his exposition of the Protestant doctrine of
solafide. Associated to this thesis were three further objectives. First, in researching
Owen, it was important to better understand the sixteenth and seventeenth-century
theological contexts; in particular, the place of covenant and justification. Moreover,
there was a need to look in detail at his doctrine of justification by faith, since at present
there is no detailed exposition of this doctrine in his thought. Last, it is hoped that
studying a figure of the stature of Owen will help us to better understand his theological
influence not only in the seventeenth-century, but up to and including the twenty-first
century theological context.
The covenant, in Scripture, is used as a structural concept for understanding God's
redemptive purposes in history. As redemptive history unfolds, so too does the covenant
concept. This biblical doctrine finds its fullest clarification in the Reformed theological
tradition. Owen is part of this tradition and makes extensive use of the covenant concept
in his voluminous writings, particularly in his exposition of the epistle to the Hebrews.
Historically, Reformed theologians have noted three, sometimes four, covenants in
Scripture. They are 1) the covenant of grace; 2) the covenant of works; 3) the covenant
of redemption; and 4) the Sinai tic covenant. Owen held to the view that there were four
basic covenants in Scripture. In the covenant of grace, which is antithetical to the
covenant of works, and is based upon the pre-temporal covenant of redemption, there is a
progressive unfolding of God's redemptive purposes that culminate, with the greatest
clarity, in the new covenant. The aforementioned covenants all impact his doctrine of
justification.
One of the blessings associated with the covenant of grace is the doctrine of justification
through faith alone, in Christ alone, by grace alone, to the glory of God alone. Owen
upholds the classic Protestant doctrine of justification that emphasizes the remission of
sins and the imputation of the righteousness of Jesus Christ. He expounds this doctrine in
the larger context of his theology of the covenant. All four covenants bear decisively on
his exposition of justification to such a degree that his exposition would be unintelligible
apart from understanding the covenant concept.
This thesis is substantiated contextually through Owen's life and theological training;
historiographically through his sources and influences; and textually through his
writings. As one of the most eminent theologians in the Christian tradition, this study
will seek to make a significant contribution to on-going Owen studies, especially in the
area of covenant and justification. | |
