Apologies for the current fascination with John Owen.
Yet more apologies for the break in the series about corporate (church) worship. Some of the most relevant New Testament material was covered in the early blogs of the series. Future posts may be written to discuss how we apply the principles in our church worship today. However - having started the series with clear ideas - I'm no longer as sure about what conclusions to draw.
Which is why it is good I've nearly finished reading Owen's main works on the Holy Spirit, found in volumes 3 and 4 of his collected writings. The final discourse in volume 4 is all about spiritual gifts.
Most cessationists (most Reformed Baptists?) will be content to think that Owen guides them into all truth on this specific topic. But I'm holding off that conclusion until I get to the end, because here is what Owen writes in chapter 2:
"We speak not of such gifts or endowments of men's minds as consist merely in the improvement of their natural faculities: such are wisdom, learning, skill in arts and sciences; which those may abound and excel in who are utter strangers to the church of Christ, and frequently they do so, to their own exaltation and contempt of others. Nor do I intend abilities for actions, moral, civil, or political; as fortitude, skill in government or rule, and the like... But I intend those alone which are conversant about the gospel, the things and duties of it, the administration of its ordinances, the propagation of its doctrine, and profession of its ways."
I'm keen to find out how Owen develops this, and then to think whether any contemporary Christians follow Owen in principle or practice. If Owen is right the implications are drastic. But, at the moment, I'm not sure he is right... dare I suggest that cessationists are not cessationist enough?
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
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3 comments:
NB p.428 where Owen writes briefly about spiritual gifts and church government.
"drastic"? Explain! CG
CG - I'm very interested to know how Owen applies his statement... how does the church recognise a spiritual gifting? Is the office or role of, for example, pastor/minister a gift with giftings necessary before someone can take on the office/role? Or is a function, like preaching, a gift? That Owen includes the administration of the ordinances in his statement is relevant, with drastic implications... who has, and what are, the appropriate gifts for administering baptism and the Lord's Supper? Perhaps Owen will turn out to simply mean that the calling to those duties is itself the gift i.e. the functions themselves are ordinary or simple. Always a boon to read Owen!
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