ON READING THOMAS GOODWIN (PART 2)

Here's a recommendation of Thomas Goodwin that differs from that of Dr Joel Beeke (below). Mark Jones (pastor, author, and PhD student at Universiteit Leiden) writes ...

I ended up choosing to do PhD work on Thomas Goodwin – for better or for worse, but I think for better – because of the suggestion of a friend. My friend must have known something I didn’t because I’d never given much thought to the man who still very much remains in John Owen’s shadow. This is rather unfortunate; after all, Owen often deferred to his close friend and Goodwin was rightly recognized as one of the greatest theological minds not only in Britain, but on the Continent (Herman Witsius had some of Goodwin’s writings translated into Dutch). After having read through the majority of Goodwin’s corpus I can confidently say that three of his Works stand out, but for different reasons.

If you want to enter the mind-boggling world of seventeenth-century eschatology, Goodwin’s exposition of Revelation is a good place to start; and for sheer entertainment value this work of his stands unparalleled (you can read into that sentence whatever you wish!). Our Puritan forefathers were excellent theologians; but if I am ever tempted to venerate them too much I turn to one of their commentaries on Revelation. Well, now that I’ve escaped the charge of hagiography, onto something more positive ...

In terms of theological acumen, the great Scottish theologian, Alexander Whyte, has called Goodwin “the greatest pulpit exegete of Paul that has ever lived,” to which J. I. Packer has added, “and perhaps justly.” Goodwin’s work Christ Set Forth considers the full-orbed nature of Christ’s work as a priest-king; from the cross to Christ’s resurrection, ascension, and exaltation at the right hand of the Father where he ever lives to make intercession for his bride, Goodwin highlights the value of Christ’s work not only on the cross, but in his state of glory as the risen Lord of Glory.

The type of theology one finds in Christ Set Forth is summed up in the following quote where Goodwin addresses the soteric value of Christ’s intercession: “This all divines on all sides do attribute unto it, whilst they put this difference between the influence of his death, and that of his intercession unto our salvation: calling his death medium impetrationis, that is, the means of procurement or obtaining it for us; but his intercession medium applicationis, the means of applying all unto us. Christ purchaseth salvation by the one, but possesseth us of it by the other. Some have attributed the application of justification to his resurrection; but it is much more proper to ascribe it to his intercession …. his eternal priesthood in heaven, and the work of its intercession, is the applying cause of our eternal salvation …” (Works, 4:63). I used to think that Reformed theologians at Westminster Theological Seminary invented these fine distinctions, but they are already present in Goodwin and his contemporaries. If you want my opinion on what work to begin with in Goodwin – and if you are looking for profound theology – I would suggest reading Christ Set Forth. And be prepared to be amazed at how much this work will do for your heart as well.

Next, if your heart is feeling particularly cold, I would urge you to read Goodwin’s work, which follows Christ Set Forth, The Heart of Christ in Heaven Towards Sinners on Earth; this treatise of Goodwin’s may be one of the finest works in the English language that combines intellectual and theological power with pastoral comfort. I cannot speak too highly about this work – it is magnificent and sure to stretch your mind and warm your heart. Apart from Calvin, I know of no other Christian writer who possesses the ability to wed together theology and piety in the way that Goodwin does! Once having read those two works, I would suggest you read whatever else you think might be profitable to your soul, and Joel Beeke has provided a helpful list of works and their particular strengths.

I now see why Whyte confessed: “I have read no other author so much and so often. And I continue to read him to this day, as if I had never read him before.” It may be prudent to note, too, that Whyte calls Goodwin's sermon, Christ Dwelling in Our Hearts by Faith, one of the “two very greatest sermons in the English language.” With a recommendation like that, how can you not pick up a Goodwin volume – choose #4 – on your next trip to the bookstore?

Read more from Mark Jones on his blog.