John Owen on the Danger of Self-Confidence
Concerning the danger of trusting in ourselves, rather than relying on the Lord, the Puritan theologian John Owen writes:
Would you think that Peter, who had walked on the sea with Christ, confessed him to be the Son of God, been with him in the mount, when he heard the voice from the excellent glory, should at the word of a servant-girl, when there was no legal inquisition after him, no process against him nor any one in his condition, instantly fall a-cursing and swearing that he knew him not? Let them take heed of self-confidence who have any mind to take heed of sin.
J. Owen, Temptation in The Works of John Owen, vol. 6, p. 131
January 16, 2008 at 11:19 am
[...] of Self-Confidence Please read this post on my blog from the Puritan theologian John Owen: John Owen on the Danger of Self-Confidence « Reformed Covenanter His analysis of Peter’s backsliding is particularly useful. __________________ Daniel Ritchie [...]
January 16, 2008 at 12:14 pm
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January 17, 2008 at 1:27 am
“..The danger of Self-Confidence” ? Well, do check out http://www.confidencebuildingcourses.com for interesting articles on confidence building. It has helped me alot.
January 17, 2008 at 4:20 am
Anyone else notice John Owen looks a little like Alan Rickman?
January 17, 2008 at 9:58 am
No.
January 18, 2008 at 12:17 am
Speaking of John Owen, I thought you would enjoy these lectures on John Owen’s Pastoral Theology by Dr. Derek Thomas.
http://spurgeon.wordpress.com/2007/06/29/john-owen-derek-thomas/
I found the link to these lectures on Nate’s site, so all tribute goes to him.
January 18, 2008 at 1:45 am
PS) You should take Nate up on his offer. Grand Rapids is a great town!
January 23, 2008 at 4:43 am
There is an interesting Theonomic implication to Owen’s words.
For are not all non-Theonomic arguments really an expression of “self-confidence” in natural law theories as a hopeful substitute for God’s revealed civil law? All Christians will say we need the Bible for guidance in salvation and personal sanctification and church worship. OTOH most modern Christians will reject the Bible when it comes to its written civil laws and instead put their confidence in “natural law” theories as if they know better than God in how to deal with criminals justly.
January 23, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Bryan
Thanks for the link; I shall have to consider Nate’s offer.
Colin
All non-Theonomic ideas favour fallen human reason over Scriptural revelation. Hence they do not heed John Owen’s warning.
January 30, 2008 at 12:26 am
[...] John Owen on the Danger of Self-Confidence [...]