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

Foreword
Preface

Introduction
1. The Habituational Model of Sanctification
2. The Heart-Motivational Model of Sanctification
3. Trinitarian Agency and the Spirit’s Work
4. The Spirit’s Work in Christ’s Human Nature
5. Habitual Grace in the Souls of Believers
6. Anthropological Considerations for Soul Care
7. Soteriological Considerations for Soul Care
Conclusion

Bibliography
Index


“The greatest Protestant theologians can also help us better understand everyday questions of Christian living. Colin McCulloch shows how John Owen’s explanation of sanctification helps believers, with their counselors and pastors, appreciate the gracious work of the Spirit who makes us holy.”
—Crawford Gribben, author of John Owen and English Experiences of Defeat; professor of history, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland

“The Puritans have long and deservedly enjoyed the reputation of physicians of the soul. This thoughtful study lets us listen over John Owen’s shoulder as he lays a scriptural foundation for ministering to troubled and struggling saints. Colin McCulloch here provokes grave thought and true hope, taking us back to the underlying convictions about sin and grace that inform our counsel and care.”
—Jeremy Walker, pastor of Maidenbower Baptist Church, Crawley, England

“Enjoyable and thought-provoking! In a way that is clear and easy to follow, Colin McCulloch admirably synthesizes the approaches of two branches of the biblical counseling movement using John Owen’s concept of infused grace and habits. I believe many in the biblical counseling movement will benefit from this thorough presentation of Owen’s theology.”
—Jim Newheiser, professor of Christian counseling and pastoral theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, North Carolina

About the
Colin R. McCulloch is assistant professor of biblical counseling and practical theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky. He is also an elder at Farmdale Baptist Church.

Kindle Edition

Published May 29, 2024

Reviews

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

Very helpful and stimulating.

[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.

[Ryan B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

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