Where would be the best place to start with respect to reading Owen on the Spirit and His nature, role and functions? At present there are three books I see that seem to speak centrally to that issue: The Holy Spirit, The Holy Spirit: His Gifts and Power and The Spirit and the Church. What are the main differences between those works?

Thanks,

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Chris


A passion to know and reflect Christ by living and demonstrating the truth and richness of the historic Reformed faith

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Christopher Blum
Member of Trinity Presbyterian Church of Northern Kentucky (PCA) in Burlington, KY

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

The first is an abridgement of Pneumatologia, which is volume III of the Works set, and the third is an abridgement of volume 4, which includes the four treatises: The Reason of Faith(which is on the doctrine of scripture), Causes, Ways, and Means, of Understanding the Mind of God, On the Work of the Holy Spirit in Prayer, and Of the Spirit and His Work, as a Comforter and as the Author of Spiritual Gifts. The former is more theological, the latter is more practical, though neither is exclusively one or the other.

I am unfamiliar with the middle work, but it sounds like it is an abridged equivalent of one or both of the others.

I am working through volume III right now, and it is absolutely phenomenal; I can't recommend it enough. If you are going to read something on the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, that is the one to read. The Puritan Paperbacks abridgement is a good summary, but lacks some of the richness of Owenic detail. If possible, I would recommend getting volume III of the works, but the Puritan Paperbacks abridgement will still be well worth your time. If you have to choose between those three, I am sure that all the material in the middle one will be contained in the other two, and if you can only get one for the moment, go for the first.

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Philip A - Member, High Desert United Reformed Church, Apple Valley, CA.

"Reason also is choice" - Milton, Paradise Lost
"And then shall every word also seem consistent to him, if he for his part diligently read the Scriptures in company with those who are presbyters in the Church, among whom is the apostolic doctrine, as I have pointed out." - Irenaeus, Against Heresies, IV:XXXII.
"where there is text, there is hope" - Richard A. Muller

Thanks...since I won't yet be able to afford the Works for some time, I'll probably start out with the first one, even just to get an exposure to his general ideas and approach.

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Chris


A passion to know and reflect Christ by living and demonstrating the truth and richness of the historic Reformed faith

Visit My Website Here

Christopher Blum
Member of Trinity Presbyterian Church of Northern Kentucky (PCA) in Burlington, KY

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

You can buy the Individual volumes from BOT for $20.00 or so from there website. Anything over $25.00 includes free shipping and they are very quick on the delivery 3-4 days.

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Sean Jones
Covenant Presbyterian Church OPC
Fort Worth Texas

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of Truth.
2Timothy 2:15