Reformed Covenanter
Cancelled Commissioner
John Owen has some interesting things to say in relation to the debate over the eternal submission of God the Son. While I deplore the spirit of petty partisanship in which that discussion was carried out, Owen reminds us that the correct view is that Christ submits to God in his economic role as mediator:
In this state, as he is head of angels and of his whole church, so is he in subordination to the Father; and therefore he is said at the same time to receive revelations from the Father, and to send an angel as his servant on his work and employment, Rev. i. 1. [1]
... as mediator, depending on the Father, in subordination to him ... [2]
... Christ in respect of his divine nature is "equal with God," that is, the Father, Phil. ii. 6; but in respect of his mediation he is not equal to him, he is less than he. [3]
[1] John Owen, Vindiciæ Evangelicæ; or, The Mystery of the Gospel Vindicated and Socinianism Examined (Oxford, 1655) in William H. Goold (ed.), The Works of John Owen (1850-53; Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1966), xii, 387.
[2] Ibid., 388.
[3] Ibid., 391.
In this state, as he is head of angels and of his whole church, so is he in subordination to the Father; and therefore he is said at the same time to receive revelations from the Father, and to send an angel as his servant on his work and employment, Rev. i. 1. [1]
... as mediator, depending on the Father, in subordination to him ... [2]
... Christ in respect of his divine nature is "equal with God," that is, the Father, Phil. ii. 6; but in respect of his mediation he is not equal to him, he is less than he. [3]
[1] John Owen, Vindiciæ Evangelicæ; or, The Mystery of the Gospel Vindicated and Socinianism Examined (Oxford, 1655) in William H. Goold (ed.), The Works of John Owen (1850-53; Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1966), xii, 387.
[2] Ibid., 388.
[3] Ibid., 391.
