History Maker
2 total works
Few British pastors can claim to have written a book that is amongst the 'life-books of their generation', yet Boston is one. His Fourfold State of Man has been the instrument of countless conversions and could be said to have changed the zeitgeist of his era as effectively as Luther's Commentary on Galations, Alleine's Alarm to the Unconverted, Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, Edwards' Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Wilberforce's True Christianity or Lewis' Mere Christianity.
John Owen (1616–1683) was one of the defining theologians in the Christian era. His books have been continually in print and are still influential today. Educated at Queen’s College, Oxford, he was a moderate Presbyterian who became a Congregationalist after reading a book by John Cotton. He later helped draw up the Savoy Declaration, the Congregational Basis of Faith.
During the English Civil War Owen was wholly on the side of the Parliamentarians, accompanying Cromwell on expeditions to Scotland and Ireland as Chaplain. Owen was influential in national life and was made Vice–Chancellor of Christ Church Oxford. After the Restoration of the Monarchy he was ejected from this position and devoted his energies to developing ‘godly and learned men’, in writing commentaries and devotional books, and in defending nonconformists from state persecution.
Andrew Thomson uses various sources for this biography including Owen’s adversaries ‘who could not be silent on so great a name or withhold reluctant praise.’