📖 Biblical Definition
John Owen (1616-1683) was the English Puritan theologian — vice-chancellor of Oxford under Cromwell, sometime chaplain to the Lord Protector, dean of Christ Church, and author of the most rigorous body of Puritan systematic theology in English. Major works: The Death of Death in the Death of Christ (definitive Reformed defense of particular redemption), The Mortification of Sin in Believers ("Be killing sin or it will be killing you"), the three-volume Communion with God, Christological discourses on the glory of Christ, and a vast multi-volume work on the Holy Spirit. After the Restoration he refused conformity and ministered as a non-conformist until his death. J. I. Packer reckoned Owen the greatest English theologian. Spurgeon called him the prince of the Puritans.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
English Puritan theologian (1616-1683); ‘Prince of the Puritans’.
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Born Stadhampton (Oxfordshire); educated at Oxford; ministered through the English Civil War period and the Cromwellian Protectorate. Preached before Parliament the day after Charles I's execution; vice-chancellor of Oxford 1652-1657.
Massive literary output: 24 volumes in the Banner of Truth edition. Major works: Death of Death in the Death of Christ, Mortification of Sin, Communion with God, Pneumatologia (Holy Spirit), commentary on Hebrews.
📖 Key Scripture
Romans 8:13 — "If ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."
John 17:9 — "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine."
Hebrews 7:25 — "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him."
Hebrews 12:14 — "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity often finds Owen difficult; his arguments reward patient reading and his pastoral counsel is unmatched in Puritan literature.
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Mortification of Sin is Owen's most pastorally read work. Its central counsel: be killing sin, or it will be killing you. The discipline of dealing with indwelling sin, daily, by the Spirit, in light of the cross.
The Death of Death argues definite (or particular) atonement: Christ died not to make salvation possible for all but to actually save His people. The argument is dense; the exegesis runs through hundreds of pages; the conclusion shaped Reformed soteriology for centuries.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Welsh given name; English Puritan context.
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Welsh Owain — from Latin Eugenius, well-born.
Note: Owen is sometimes called ‘the Calvin of England’ for his systematic depth.
Usage
"Be killing sin, or it will be killing you."
"The Calvin of England."
"The discipline of dealing with indwelling sin, daily, by the Spirit."