John Owen between Orthodoxy and Modernity

272 Pages·2019·1.037 MB·English

by  Willem van Vlastuin, Kelly M. Kapic

John Owen between Orthodoxy and Modernity
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Studies in Reformed Theology
Editor-in-Chief
Eddy Van der Borght (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
Editorial Board
Abraham van de Beek (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
Martien Brinkman (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
George Harinck (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
Dirk van Keulen (Theological University, Kampen)
Daniel Migliore (Princeton Theological Seminary)
Richard Mouw (Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena)
Emanuel Gerrit Singgih (Duta Wacana Christian University, Yogjakarta)
Pieter Vos (Protestant Theological University, Amsterdam)
Conrad Wethmar (University of Pretoria)
volume 39
The titles published in this series are listed at brill.com/srt
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John Owen between
Orthodoxy and Modernity
Edited by
Willem van Vlastuin
Kelly M. Kapic
LEIDEN | BOSTON
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Cover illustration: John Owen by Oliver Crisp (2018).
The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available online at http://catalog.loc.gov
Typeface for the Latin, Greek, and Cyrillic scripts: “Brill”. See and download: brill.com/brill-typeface.
ISSN 1571-4799
ISBN 978-90-04-39133-8 (paperback)
ISBN 978-90-04-39134-5 (e-book)
Copyright 2019 by Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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To the students of the Hersteld Hervormd Seminary
The rich and theologically founded spirituality of John Owen
is our example
Willem van Vlastuin
…
To Norris and Billie Little
Thank you for your friendship, support, and kindness
through the years
Kelly M. Kapic
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Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Notes on Contributors xi
Part 1
Setting the Scene
1 Introduction, Overview and Epilogue 3
Willem van Vlastuin and Kelly M. Kapic
2 John Owen and Modernity: Reflections on Historiography, Modernity,
and the Self 35
Carl R. Trueman
3 John Owen’s Theological Spirituality: Navigating Perceived Threats in a
Changing World 55
Kelly M. Kapic
4 The Reception of John Owen in Early Modernity 83
Joel R. Beeke
Part 2
Theological Issues
5 Is the Right to Punish a Private or a Public Right? John Owen’s Debate
with the Socinians on the ius puniendi in the Context of Early-Modern
Developments 109
Gert A. van den Brink
6 Why Do You Believe That Scripture Is the Word of God? Owen’s Doctrine
of Scripture Reconsidered 127
Hans Burger
7 Vocatio as Regeneration: John Owen’s Concept of Effectual Calling 148
Henk van den Belt
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viii Contents
8 John Owen as a Modern Theologian: a Comparison of Catholicity in
Cyprian and Owen 164
Willem van Vlastuin
Part 3
Spirituality and Christian Practices
9 Seeing Things Owen’s Way: John Owen’s Trinitarian Theology and Piety
in Its Early-Modern Context 189
Ryan M. McGraw
10 Puritan Spirituality with a Dual Focus: John Owen and Meditation on
Christ 205
Reinier W. de Koeijer
11 John Owen’s View of Human Happiness Compared with Orthodoxy and
Modernity 223
David P. Murray
12 John Owen on Public Prayer: a Critical Reading 238
Daniel R. Hyde
Index of Names and Subjects 255
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Acknowledgments
In the four-hundredth birth year of John Owen (1616–1683), a conference
was held at the Theological University of Apeldoorn on ‘John Owen Between
Orthodoxy and Modernity’ (August 31–September 2, 2016). As representatives
of several continents we were united in our interest in John Owen’s cultural
context and challenging content, political situation and positive spirituality,
theological conflicts and lasting consequences. Every participant felt—in their
own way—somehow related to Owen’s faith, and this connection gave our
conference an extra dimension of relevance.
At the end of our in-depth discussions, we concluded that the publication
of contributions to this conference would provide major added value. This is
how the editorial process started. I, Willem van Vlastuin, thank all the authors
who contributed to this volume and were wonderful in their cooperation with
us in the editorial process. My special thanks go to my student assistant Hans-
Willem Westerbeke who has done a lot of editorial work and compiled the
index. I thank Stichting Jagtspoel Fonds for making this editorial work finan-
cially possible, and Hans Burger who helped make this connection so that the
necessary funding could be secured. Not in the least thanks to Kelly Kapic, who
supported me tremendously during the editorial process with his feedback,
suggestions and encouragements. Last but not least, my thanks go to my wife
Wilma, and our children, Tonny, Hennie, Jan, Meindert, Marianne and Willem
for their patience during the editing of this book.
I, Kelly M. Kapic, am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been in-
vited to participate in the conference and then help with the formation of this
volume. What an honor and delight to work with Willem van Vlastuin who
has not only been faithful in his organization, production, and oversight of
the project, but also abounding in graciousness throughout the whole process.
Your friendship, Willem, has been one of the great gifts to come out of this
whole process, so thank you! I am also deeply grateful to those who came from
around the world (e.g., Indonesia, Poland, Romania, England, Netherlands,
Germany, Scotland, Belgium, America, etc.) to participate in the original con-
ference. Having such international representation not only was an example of
John Owen’s abiding influence, but also helped foster a conversation that was
at the same time lively, practical, and yet willing to be critical of this 17th cen-
tury English Puritan. It was humbling and deeply encouraging to be with these
friends from around the globe.
I would also like to express my gratitude to Covenant College in general for
providing consistent encouragement and support, and to Norris and Billie Little
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x Acknowledgments
in particular. Billie and Norris, it is a great joy for me to dedicate this volume to
you: even though you are not scholars, you value scholarship, teaching, and the
vocational call of mentoring students. Thank you for your friendship, support,
and kindness through the years. I will always be in your debt. Finally, thanks as
always to my wife Tabitha and children Jonathan and Margot: while work like
this takes time, I am so thankful that your laughter and love always help me put
scholarship in proper perspective.
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