Owen's thesis asserts that in the death of Christ
salvation of sinners was actually accomplished. Christ
came to the earth to seek and to save those who were
lost. Through his oblation, being the entire humiliation
of his life and death, he has secured perfectly the
redemption of those for whom he died. Therefore the
salvation of sinners was completely secured through the
death of Christ. This stands in direct contrast to the
Arminian and Amyraldian understanding of a universal
redemption, which makes salvation only possible or
hypothetical.
Owen divides his work into four books. The first book
sets forth his thesis that the work of Christ on the
cross was made for the full and complete salvation of
those whom God intended to save. The work of salvation
is a work of the triune God. God the Father stands as
the author of salvation and the sender of Christ. He is
the one who from before creation elects and chooses some
to be saved. Christ is the sent one that became
incarnate and offered himself up for death, was
resurrected and intercedes in heaven for those whom he
died. The Spirit was the helper to Christ in his earthly
ministry and is the applier of salvation.
In the second book Owen argues that the supreme purpose
of Christ's death was to bring glory to the Godhead. The
subordinate purpose of his death was to bring salvation
to sinners chosen by God. Scripture shows that in
Christ's death God intended to save sinners and that the
effect of his death actually secured their salvation and
that those for whom Christ died are therefore chosen
elect. Consequently, the impetration or securing work of
salvation cannot be separated from the application of
salvation. Christ's death (impetration) was intended for
the elect only although being of infinite worth. His
death brought about their salvation and the Spirit then
applies that salvation to their account. Therefore
Christ's death through the Spirit's application is a
perfect and complete act of salvation.
In the third book Owen sets forth sixteen arguments
against the doctrine of a general ransom. His arguments
are primarily set against Arminians and Amyraldians who
hold to a general or universal atonement, which claims
that God makes salvation possible or hypothetical for
the whole world. He debunks the view that the cross work
of Christ only made salvation possible and sets forth
positively the view that on the cross Christ made
salvation effectual and actual. Owen also helpfully
shows the logic of such a view of the atonement stemming
from the biblical doctrine of election. If God chooses
sinners from before the creation of the world then it is
only those chosen sinners to whom Christ has died for
and to whom the Spirit applies salvation.
In the last book Owen examines the various exegetical
arguments set forth for a universal atonement. Owen
exegetes at length several texts which speak of a
general intent of the death of Christ, those which
suggest that Christ's death was ineffective and lastly
those which seem to declare a general offer of
salvation. He also provides careful exegesis of Biblical
texts, which use the words "world" and "all" along with
texts, which seem to speak of those perishing for whom
Christ died. Owen ends the work by taking Thomas More's
work to task and then refutes various theological
arguments proffered by universal redemptionists.
The most important point of this work is what is often
missed in the present debate over unlimited vs. limited
atonement. Owen's thesis is that Christ's death on the
cross actually saved. The current debate focuses much on
whether his death was for the elect or for the world,
but I believe that the question is answered when it is
framed in the matter of determining whether Christ's
death actually saved or only made salvation possible. As
Scripture shows, and Owen proves, the primary (sole?)
emphasis is on the actual accomplishment of salvation.
Those for whom Christ died are saved; they are
regenerated, justified, sanctified, etc. Christ's work
is perfect and that which he sought to accomplish has
been fulfilled.
Owen's The Death of Death in the Death of Christ is in
many ways the authoritative work on the effectual death
of Christ. Through careful theological arguments and
sound exegesis Owen establishes his thesis that the
death of Christ actually saved sinners as opposed to the
Arminian and Amyraldian schemes which only allow for a
potential or hypothetical salvation. This work of Christ
was primarily for the glory of God and secondarily for
the salvation of sinners. Owen's work helps regain a
better understanding of the Biblical Gospel, which truly
exalts God and saves sinners. While nonetheless a
polemical work, The Death of Death is written for the
safekeeping of the gospel that God may truly be
glorified and that the sinners may be confronted with
the truth of the gospel and be saved. The preservation
of the true gospel in Owen's work is therefore to be
most appreciated.
Note: This review of the book was written by William
E. Turner of New York.
Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "John Owen Collection" by:
Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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