John Owen on Hebrews: To read or not to read?

Should I read John Owen's 7-volume commentary on Hebrews?


  • Total voters
    23
Status
Not open for further replies.

Reformed Covenanter

Cancelled Commissioner
I have now read the 16 volumes of John Owen doctrinal and practical works as well as the so-called Biblical Theology (not the original title). Other than his brief defence of the Pauline authorship of Hebrews, I have done little else other than occasionally dip into the 7-volumes on Hebrews. Would reading all 7-volumes be a good use of time?

Given my current life situation, I have reasoned that if I do not make the effort to read the Hebrews commentary now, I probably never will again. When I put my mind to it, I can usually read one volume of Owen in less than a week. Since the end of December, I have read 7 volumes of his writings, so it stands to reason that I could read 7 more volumes.
 
Why would you want to skip his magnum opus?

I cannot think of a good reason to skip it. The only reason is that 7 volumes on one book of the Bible are too much, but given that Hebrews is my favourite book in the New Testament, that excuse wears very thin. Besides, it makes little sense to read so much of John Owen and not read his magnum opus.
 
I have now read the 16 volumes of John Owen doctrinal and practical works as well as the so-called Biblical Theology (not the original title). Other than his brief defence of the Pauline authorship of Hebrews, I have done little else other than occasionally dip into the 7-volumes on Hebrews. Would reading all 7-volumes be a good use of time?

Given my current life situation, I have reasoned that if I do not make the effort to read the Hebrews commentary now, I probably never will again. When I put my mind to it, I can usually read one volume of Owen in less than a week. Since the end of December, I have read 7 volumes of his writings, so it stands to reason that I could read 7 more volumes.

I would say go for it, brother. Owen is a top contender for my favorite Puritan and Hebrews is my favorite portion of Scriptures. Those two combined form the summit of studies in my opinion. Sadly, I have yet to tackle it. The furthest I have gotten has been his "Sacerdotal Office of Christ" republished by Christian Focus as "The Priesthood of Christ." It is a colossal 357-page excursus contained in his Hebrews commentary. The man was impressive.
 
If I had these volumes, I would read through them just to bask in the devotions of such a grand puritan. I have Martyn Lloyd-Jones 14 volume series on Romans (also the 8 volumes on Ephesians), which happens to be a delight to read. It would seem that such a long series would be a waste, but think of them as a thorough educational experience. Treading through the sermons of Martin Luther and Charles Spurgeon have also proved to be excellent. To me, anything that is so bound in the Word of God is time well spent. Owen, Baxter, Watson, Dodderidge, Evans, etc are worth the time.
 
Wasn’t he also a man who survived all of children and wives? Talk about a trials...
Indeed. Only one of his 11 children made it to adulthood. He also outlived that child. He had quite the life.

"Not long after his removal to Fordham, he was married to a lady of the name of Rooke. But nearly all the information that has descended to us regarding this union amounts to this: that the lady bore to him eleven children, all of whom, except one daughter, died in early youth. This only daughter became the wife of a Welsh gentleman; but the union proving unhappy, she ‘returned to her kindred and to her father’s house,’ and soon after died of consumption."

Thomson, Andrew. John Owen: Prince of Puritans (Kindle Locations 311-315). Christian Focus Publications. Kindle Edition.
 
Last edited:
An interesting question: should one read all of the preliminary exercitations (essays) before or after reading the commentary proper?

To put it another way: do the exercitations set up the commentary or do they provide reflections after having read the commentary first?
 
An interesting question: should one read all of the preliminary exercitations (essays) before or after reading the commentary proper?

To put it another way: do the exercitations set up the commentary or do they provide reflections after having read the commentary first?

They were written to expound on topics that would be discussed in the commentary proper.
 
Sorry, late to the session, Daniel. But yes!

I've read the whole at least once, and larger parts of it three or more times.
 
Okay Daniel. No! Don't read it! Read 'Power of Positive Thinking' by NVP instead. I won't be so ornery as to check 'No' in the poll though.
 
I had already read the defence of the Pauline authorship of Hebrews at the beginning of volume one, so I started reading at part II and have read 75 pages today with more to follow shortly. All being well, I hope to have volume 1 read by next Sabbath.
 
Reformed Covenanter, I'm always impressed with folks like you who can tackle large works like Owen on Hebrews. I'm jealous, as I know it would take me many years to accomplish.

Care to reveal your reading routine/method? In other words, how do you do it?
 
Reformed Covenanter, I'm always impressed with folks like you who can tackle large works like Owen on Hebrews. I'm jealous, as I know it would take me many years to accomplish.

Care to reveal your reading routine/method? In other words, how do you do it?

Basically, I consider it to be largely a matter of concentration. I can generally read c. 200 pages a day. Owing to my current health situation, I do not have the ability to read academic history or to do primary research the way that I used to, but, since I find it much easier to read theology, I may as well read tomes such as John Owen's in order to redeem the time.
 
A. W. Pink's commentary seems to be a summary and abridgment of Owen's work. I recommend that if you want a quicker read.
 
I am quite curious about Owen's defense of Pauline authorship. Can you give some brief points he makes? Or point me to the location of where he argues this?
 
I am quite curious about Owen's defense of Pauline authorship. Can you give some brief points he makes? Or point me to the location of where he argues this?

See the first c. 140 pages of Hebrews, volume 1. I read it about 15 years ago and have no wish to ever read it again. I glanced over it briefly and noted that he answers the claims that various other people such as Apollos and Barnabas wrote the epistle.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top