John Owen on Pastoral Preaching
Digital Verbum Edition
Overview
John Owen was a scholar, pastor, dissenter, and faithful follower of Christ in a tumultuous time. He gave himself to the study of Scripture out of an abiding love for the glory of God amongst the people of Christ. John Owen’s works have greatly influenced Western Christendom in the centuries that have passed, and his concern for the true church shines powerfully forth from his writings. The aim of the book is to examine John Owen’s view of the biblical role of a pastor with regards to the ministry of preaching the word of God in the life of a local church. The goal is to understand and evaluate John Owen’s thought, from Holy Scripture, with regards to pastoral preaching. This book seeks to unearth from John Owen’s writings the various aspects that affect pastoral preaching, his understanding of a True Gospel Church, preaching as the priority for a pastor, and what exactly constituted faithful biblical preaching. Furthermore, this book will seek to make conclusions concerning John Owen’s view of pastoral preaching and its faithfulness to Scripture.
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- Shows the biblical role of a pastor with regards to the ministry of preaching the word of God in the life of a local church.
- Evaluates John Owen’s thought, from Holy Scripture, with regards to pastoral preaching.
- Shows that nothing but the word preached will change hearts and sanctify God’s people.
What you have in this book is a survey of John Owen’s writings, along with the secondary literature, which serves to provide the reader with a clear and concise introduction to the mind and heart of Owen on pastoral preaching. In this way, Miller highlights for the church a key historical example of how faithful pastors are to regard the sacred duty of proclaiming the word of God to the people of God
—Will Barnett, Lead Pastor, First Southern Baptist Church, Wickenburg
Miller’s examination and explanation of the writings of John Owen on preaching in the context of pastoral ministry is a reminder to us... that the church and her shepherds must return to the simple yet weighty task of preaching the word. Through Owen’s works, Miller shows us that nothing but the word preached will change hearts and sanctify God’s people.... Miller’s book is a timely and welcome reminder to return to such simplicity!
—Josh Wilson, Pastor, First Baptist Church Park Hills
Though John Owen is one of the church’s foremost theologians, his primary commitment was not to the academy but to the church. Persuaded that the word is inspired word, Owen was convinced that pastoral preaching was his chief privilege and responsibility. Every pastor, especially those, like myself, who love John Owen, should read this excellent and insightful book on the nature and primacy of the pastor’s week-to-week pulpit ministry!
—Jeffrey D. Johnson, President, Grace Bible Theological Seminary
In a day when pastoral preaching has fallen from prominence in the evangelical church, Justin Miller’s work here points back to its previous centrality. May the Lord use examples like John Owen to restore preaching to its proper place in the church!
—Sam Waldron, President, Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary