Sanctified by the Spirit: John Owen, Habits of Grace, and Biblical Counseling

by Colin R McCulloch, Jeremy Pierre (foreword)

How can John Owen’s Trinitarian theology of sanctification address modern concerns in counseling methodology?

Biblical counselor Colin R. McCulloch retrieves John Owen’s theology of Trinitarian sanctification to address modern concerns in counseling methodology. McCulloch examines two divergent approaches to sanctification within the biblical counseling movement, suggesting that Owen’s emphasis on Spirit-infused habitual grace provides a more holistic vision for soul care. Far from a mere historical study, McCulloch’s incisive analysis will help pastors and laymen Traces the development of current biblical counseling techniquesRetrieves John Owen’s soteriology, anthropology, and pneumatology for a new generationEquips pastors and counselors to care for the needs of struggling people Contents

Foreword
Preface
Introduction

The Habituational Model of SanctificationThe Heart-Motivational Model of SanctificationTrinitarian Agency and the Spirit’s WorkThe Spirit’s Work in Christ’s Human NatureHabitual Grace in the Souls of BelieversAnthropological Considerations for Soul CareSoteriological Considerations for Soul CareConclusion
Bibliography
Index

Genres: Counselling

228 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 30, 2024

Reviews

[Benjamin Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

First 5 chapters of lit review and engaging Owen are top-tier. The distinction between natural and supernatural habits is much needed in the discourse surrounding Biblical Counseling and leads to a better understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit and the necessity of the means of Grace. I hope others pick this up.
Doesn’t quite stick the landing in two ways 1) he dismisses a biological component in habituation out of hand in a way that I do not believe does justice either to the human condition or Puritan theology (as always, writ large) and the notion of “constitution” that they not-infrequently invoke. 2) He kinda comes out of nowhere with a section challenging the prevailing interpretation of Ephesians 4 right at the end. I get his argument and find it somewhat persuasive, but this really wasn’t the place for it. It is the more outstanding example of a weakness of the book throughout- the exegesis isn’t done, the reader is just referred back to Owen as his arguments are rehearsed. However, I do find them persuasive.

[Samuel G. Parkison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful and stimulating.

[Mitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. McCulloch does a great job of identifying the problems of Adam’s methodology of Biblical counseling where he solely focuses on the flesh or behavior (what are we doing sinfully and what we need to do habitually to change “put off and put on”). He then addresses Powlison’s methodology of development in the movement where he contends for the “why” or motive of our sinful behavior, not just the habitual. McCulloch takes the theology of the Puritan John Owen to essentially bridge the gap between the two, but also further developing the idea of how a believer is sanctified by addressing the “how.” He argues that mere natural habituation acts do not lead to further holiness in and of themselves. They do not constitue true sanctification. But rather “we can only be sanctified by the Spirits infusion and increased habitual grace within us, which progressively inclines our souls towards obedience to God.” He grounds this in Owens theology of “Spirit-infused habitual grace” in his doctrine of God specifically in Owen’s trinitarian theology and the doctrine of divine simplicity. He also goes over how the spirit works in the human nature of Christ. This is excellent book, in which McCulloch, has grasped and understood rightly Owen’s theology concerning spirit-infused grace in the doctrine of sanctification.

[Michael Stilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible work of theological retrieval for the sake of biblical counseling. He presents two divergent models of sanctification in biblical counseling (Jay Adams and David Powlison), traces the shift from a focus on behavioral habits (Adams) to heart motivation (Powlison), and then carries forward Powlison’s model by retrieving John Owen’s doctrine of Spirit-infused habitual grace in regeneration and sanctification.
I think this is McCulloch’s published dissertation, which would explain why it can be quite dense and technical at times. It would be great if he would write something a bit more accessible on this topic for a wider readership, but the hard work of reading is rewarded by a clearer understanding of and amazement at how God works grace in us by the Spirit and what this means for Word ministry.

[Joel Opificius · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably the most dense book I have read yet on the topic of biblical counseling (of course, this is a dissertation). McCulloch looks at the difference in counseling methodology between Jay Adams and David Powlison, then looks to the writings of John Owen to see how he approached the same question during his day. In this way, he demonstrates why "theological retrieval" is a needed discipline. McCulloch delves deep into classical theism/trinitarianism, but he comes around to connect everything to the practice of biblical counseling. I found it to be very helpful for my own counseling methodology and easy to apply.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, and much-needed, also as a course-correction to James KA Smith and others - and also showing a surprising similarity between his thinking on habits and that of Jay Adams. The book is also a wonderful summary of key points of Owen’s important but long work on the Holy Spirit.

[Ryan B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worthwhile read that stirred in me a desire to read and know more John Owen.