John Owen and the Civil War Apocalypse: Preaching, Prophecy and Politics (Religious Cultures in the Early Modern World)

John Owen was one of the most significant figures in Reformed Orthodox theology during the Seventeenth Century, exerting considerable religious and political influence in the context of the British Civil War and Interregnum. Using Owen's sermons from this period as a window into the mind of a self-proclaimed prophet, this book studies how his apocalyptic interpretation of contemporary events led to him making public calls for radical political and cultural change. Owen believed he was ministering at a unique moment in history, and so the historical context in which he writes must be equally considered alongside the theological lineage that he draws upon. Combining these elements, this book allows for a more nuanced interpretation of Owen's ministry that encompasses his lofty spiritual thought as well as his passionate concerns with more corporeal events. This book represents part of a new historical turn in Owen Studies and will be of significant interest to scholars of theological history as well as Early Modern historians. Cover Title Copyright Dedication Contents Acknowledgements Conventions List of Abbreviations Introduction 1 Owen’s prophetic worldview I. Owen’s eschatological framework i. A panorama of Western history dominated by the rise of Antichrist ii. The timetable for the coming destruction of Antichrist iii. A golden age of latter-day glory II. Prophetic intertextuality III. The application of Owen’s prophetic worldview to his recent past i. Encroaching idolatry ii. The growth of tyranny IV. Conclusion 2 The identification and interpretation of providentially significant events I. Identifying providentially significant events II. The necessity of interpreting providence III. The particular eschatological framework Owen used to interpret providence i. The ‘vengeance of the temple’ and the ‘recompenses for the controversy of Zion’ ii. The ‘measuring of the temple’ and the restoration of worship iii. The establishment of a glorious ‘new heaven and earth’ IV. Two descriptions of this turbulent transitional period i. The ‘shaking’ of heaven and earth ii. Providential ‘dissolutions’ and ‘alterations’ V. The application of this interpretation of providence VI. Conclusion 3 The obligation to ‘improve’ these providential mercies I. Understanding the times II. Improving the times by reformation and separation i. Reformation and separation in church polity ii. Reformation and separation in worship iii. Reformation and separation in doctrine III. Reformation and separation in Owen’s Oxford IV. Conclusion 4 The magistrate’s response to providentially significant events I. The godly magistrate in Owen’s apocalyptic chronology i. The ‘interest’ of Christ and his people ii. The ‘unravelling’ of civil and ecclesiastical powers II. The nature of the desired constitutional settlement i. Not destroying civil power, but rather translating it ii. Ambivalence towards particular political forms iii. The importance of the rhetoric of providence III. The magistrate’s reform programme IV. Conclusion 5 The obligations of the magistrate and the search for a church settlement I. Defining the boundaries between magistracy and ministry i. The magistracy must not allow the ministry to meddle in its role ii. The magistracy must not interfere in the church’s worship and discipline iii. The magistracy must not allow its rightful religious authority to be challenged II. A settlement which must include and protect all the godly i. Limited toleration for the sake of including all who agreed in fundamentals ii. Protecting against peace-disturbing blasphemy, heresy and public idolatry III. Proposals for a church settlement which would see the gospel propagated IV. Owen’s preferred settlement as a via media V. Conclusion 6 Warnings of judgment to a negligent nation I. A sinfully negligent nation II. Warnings which threatened judgment III. The application of Owen’s warnings IV. Conclusion Conclusion Select bibliography Index "John Owen was one of the most significant figures in Reformed Orthodox theology during the Seventeenth Century, exerting considiferable religious and political influence in the context of the British Civil War and Interregnum. Using Owen's sermons from this period as a window into the mind of a self-proclaimed prophet, this book studies how his apocalyptic interpretation of contemporary events led to him making public calls for radical political and cultural change.Owen believed he was ministering at a unique moment in history, and so the historical context in which he writes must be equally considifered alongside the theological lineage that he draws upon. Combining these elements, this book allows for a more nuanced interpretation of Owen's ministry that encompasses his lofty spiritual thought as well as his passionate concerns with more corporeal events.This book represents part of a new historical turn in Owen Studies and will be of significant interest to scholars of theological history as well as Early Modifern historians. "--Provided by publisher