John Owen -where to begin

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Richard King

Puritan Board Senior
If someone was considering wading in to John Owen's writings,
what would you suggest as a good starting point?
 
The Mortification of Sin is the first thing I read by him. I'd read that first as it's not very long and will introduce you to his writing style. It's available as a simple paperback from Christian Heritage publications if you don't want to buy his entire 16-vol. Works.
 
I really like "Mortification of Sin" but I'm not sure it's where I'd suggest someone to start in Owen. It's a very good book, and very helpful and all, but I'd actually suggest people look into Vol. 1 of his works, "Mediations on the Glory of Christ" or, if that were a little big for them, I'd suggest "Communion with God". Those two books I think are much more all-inclusive in their thought and encouragement. Both distinguish sin from righteousness very clearly, and give clear guidance on how to kill sin, but I think they give a little better framework help in giving people the aim at what their looking for: Christ, and to be like Christ. But, "Mortification" is a good, smaller book to start on, but I'd encourage a fast wade into Volume 1's The Glory of Christ. As the editor's preface for this work states:
The Christology of Owen has always been highly valued, and will be of use to all ages of the church: — “A work,” says the late Dr M’Crie, “which, together with its continuation, the ‘Meditations on the Glory of Christ,’ of all the theological works published by individuals since the Reformation, next to ‘Calvin’s Institutions’, we would have deemed it our highest honour to have produced.”
 
The Glory of Christ and Communion with God both published by Banner of Truth in their Puritan Paperbacks series.
 
The Glory of Christ and Communion with God both published by Banner of Truth in their Puritan Paperbacks series.

While these are a great read, being abridgments, would you consider them the best place to start for someone actually wanting to read John Owen himself?
 
While these are a great read, being abridgments, would you consider them the best place to start for someone actually wanting to read John Owen himself?

It would depend upon who was asking. If it was a professor of theology then I would suggest them be read from Owen's Works but if a new Christian or someone who needs a taste of what one can find in Owen then I would recommend these with the hope that they would then turn to the "originals". :handshake:
 
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