Customer Reviews

Sin and Temptation: The Challenge of Personal Godliness (Classics of Faith and Devotion)

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This is much more than a deep theological treatise. The editors have distilled three short wirtings of the great Puritan thinker and preacher, John Owen: The Nature, Power, Deceit, and Prevalency of Indwelling Sin; Of Temptation; and Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers, and made them accessible to the modern reader. Because the doctrine of indwelling sin has been mostly forgotten or ignored by even conservative and evangelical preachers and writers, this book serves as a much needed slap on the face, reminding Christians that we NEVER, in this life, "get out of Romans 7 and into Romans 8". Using his comprehensive knowledge of Scriptures, he relentlessly pounds home the message that sin is a constant inhabitant in every human heart, and that, although (in believers) it is weakened and irreparably damaged in its ultimate goals, it nevertheless continues to harass and frustrate and cause great damage all our days. He proposes that the only antidote is to acknowledge sin's constant presence, noting from Rom. 7:21 that it is a "LAW present in our members, that WHEN WE WOULD DO GOOD, evil is present in us". In other words, it is especially at times when we want to do good and have every intention of being obedient and feel the desire to honor God that sin reveals itself as not an intruder, but a natural inhabitant of our heart, and sallies forth to sabotage and mar our best performance. In the section on mortification of sin, he addresses an issue mostly relegated to the Catholics of previous centuries.

This book is without doubt essential reading for any Christian who wishes to live a holy life and please God. I have made significant practical changes in how I live my life as a result of reading it. Initially, it is shocking and painful to realize the truth of the extent of sin's presence and power in our lives- but it is the only way to learn the vigilance required to fight it.

What happens when a culture forgets the doctrine of original sin? What happens when people turn their sinful nature into self-flattering, euphemistic terminology, using words like "wrong" and "mistake" instead of "wicked" and "depraved"? What happens when we hold to an anthropological view that claims humans are basically good creatures? Puritan thinker John Owen answers these questions in the most exhaustive and lucid treatment of indwelling sin, the temptation of believers, and the mortification of sin. One cannot read this book and remain unchanged. A humble self-examination will reveal that we are inherently sinful and in need of the imputed righteousness made possible by Jesus Christ on the cross. In addition, an accurate understanding of our sin will help make sense of the moral meltdown and cultural decline in America, hopefully encouraging the reader to find regeneration in a personal faith and relationship in Jesus Christ.

Owen has a piercing understanding of the human heart and its sinfulness. The overwhelming majority of this work deals with understanding sin, the power of sin, our adversary the Devil, the nature of temptation and the allure of evil. Expect to be cut (and cut deep) when you read this book. For anyone who has ever cried with Paul, "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" (Romans 7:24), this book will expose the bone and marrow of your inner depravity and leave you with only one recourse--the grace of God in Jesus Christ.

Owen deals only briefly with the actual practice of mortification (ie. destruction of sin), but his advice is to-the-point and very profound. He offers only two suggestions: look to Christ & seek the Holy Spirit.

Owen's book is virtually an exposition of Romans 7 and Galatians 5. I would recommend Martin Luther's commentary on Galatians as a follow-up to this book. While Owen will expose the sinfulness of your heart, Luther will lift up the righteousness of the Savior Jesus Christ. (And do not be decieved, the first is as necessary as the second).

This book is most highly recommended--both to those who have a deep sense of their own sinfulness and those who have no sense of sin at all.

I read it cover to cover three times in row and bought copies for several others. It helps open your eyes to how Satan's forces infiltrate our lives, what his strategies are and how to combat it. I love the reverent classical language. It got me craving all the classic early christian works. Many modern christian books are fluffy and light. This is reverent and satisfying, yet you will crave more like it.