Apostasy from the Gospel

by John Owen, R J K Law (Editor)

The idea that 'professing' Christians may prove not to be true Christians is a deeply disturbing one. In this modernised abridgement of John Owen's famous work, Dr R. J. K. Law makes its powerful teaching readily accessible to modern readers.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christianity, Christian Living

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

John Owen was an English theologian and "was without doubt not only the greatest theologian of the English Puritan movement but also one of the greatest European Reformed theologians of his day, and quite possibly possessed the finest theological mind that England ever produced" ("Owen, John", in Biographical Dictionary of Evangelicals, p. 494)

Reviews

[Timothy Crockett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty much anything by John Owen will prove to be a good read, and this short book (165 pgs.) is no different. John Owen is one among many Puritans that I would recommend reading. Puritans in general are good to read and food for the soul. A Daily diet on the Valley of the Vision is good stuff.

This book deals with the issue of apostasy. There is no shortage of that these days. Due to the watered-down presentation of the Gospel, the lack of biblical discipleship, and personal study on the part of modern Christians the study into and application of the historical doctrines of the faith is no longer part of the norm.

Many Christians struggle with the doctrine of assurance and toggle back and forth on whether they are forgiven and saved. Assurance is an important matter to settle.

Fortunately, we have the closed canon of Scripture. Owen leads us through Hebrews 6 affirming that TRUE believers can and should have full assurance of faith.

Owen reasons through some of the reasons for apostasy including, ignorance, pride, neglect, worldliness, etc.

Not only is there apostasy in a salvific sense. but there is also apostasy from sound doctrine and the clear commands of the Gospel. He covers other areas of Apostasy and its effects as well.

Overall, this is a great book. I would highly recommend it if no other reason other than his handling of Hebrews 6.

[Clay Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

#21 of 60+ in the Puritan Paperbacks series by Banner of Truth.

When I first picked up this book and read the overview on the back cover, I was excited to read it. When I saw the second sentence of that overview, “the idea that professing Christians may prove not to be true Christians is, in many respects, too serious a prospect for our facile age,” I thought this was a book written for the church in America. However, upon reading it, I discovered that it was not. The book largely focuses on the Roman Catholic church and that detracted from what it could have been. I love Puritan writing. Even the things most complain about, their verbosity, is something I usually enjoy. In “Apostasy from the Gospel,” the main point of the book was a bit lost and, with it, the effectiveness it could have carried. That being said, there are some good points:

- On unsaved doing good things: “Many are made partakers of him [the Holy Spirit] in his spiritual gifts who are never made partakers of him in his saving graces.” (18)

- A quote that could easily apply to most of the church in America: “they are described as ground on which the rain often falls, but which bears nothing but thorns and briers.” (25)

- On the importance of sound doctrine: “The foundation of true holiness and true Christian worship is the doctrine of the gospel, what we are to believe. So when Christian doctrine is neglected, forsaken or corrupted, true holiness and worship will also be neglected, forsaken and corrupted.” (51)

- Page 54 includes a long section that carries a warning we could easily apply today. We often elevate our leaders to pedestals they neither asked for nor deserve. Over time, we become susceptible to cults of personality where we think our pastor or our church can do no wrong. Owen says, “So Christians, believing their church was infallible and indefectible and that it could never fall into apostasy, were easily led into that great apostasy…”

- Of course, ignorance is the root cause there because if we know our standard (the Bible) we will easily recognize when a teacher tries to lead us astray. Owen says regarding Christians that are ignorant of the doctrines of our faith, “As a result [of their ignorance], they are in no way able to defend themselves against the deceits thrust upon them.” (86)

Even after a slow reading of this, I’m not sure I follow his argument regarding partial versus full apostasy. What I do know is this, the point of the book is how to avoid apostasy. The answer is simple…read your bible and know it deeply. If you do this, the Holy Spirit will imbed it into your life and you will become more Christlike and will easily avoid false teachers. This is an important topic for the church today but I’m afraid the book still needs to be written on it. This one isn’t it.

[Blue Morse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall "ok" read. 21/62 complete in my Banner of Truth Puritan Paperback challenge.

Per the book's title, Owen is writing on the dangers of apostasy in the Christian faith, his deep concern being that many "Christians are foolishly self-confident that they will not fall away, so they neglect the means God has given to keep them safe." Specifically, his fear is a return to Roman Catholicism; particularly after a season of national darkness and depravity.

The most compelling point that is applicable to us all, is that any lukewarm view of God or His word is always the FIRST step to apostasy (what he would refer to as “partial apostasy”). Hence, we ought to daily strive to keep our faith fresh and sin mortified.

My major critique is that Owen uses the term "apostasy" in so many different contexts throughout the book (partial apostasy, apostasy from the doctrines, apostasy from the commands, etc) that it can be hard to follow at times, particularly whether he's referring to Christian backsliding or complete renunciation of the faith.

However, there are so many gems in this book and pastoral spears meant to wound in order to heal.

As an aside, given the current "revival" atmosphere in our country following the Charlie Kirk assassination, many of Owen's concerns certainly apply. Particularly his concern about a wayward society's return to a "Christian" moral religious system that is absent the biblical distinctives of the Gospel (faith alone, scripture, alone, grace alone...).

Here are a few quotes that stood out to me:

- "Without the word of God, the mind of man wanders about in endless conjectures. The truth of the word of God alone is stable, firm and infallible. This gives rest to the soul."

- "We ought not to think it strange if Christians today fall away so easily from the gospel after having received it ... if apostolic churches easily fell into apostasy even when the apostles were still alive, shall we, who do not have the same advantages as they, cease to be watchful and neglect to use all the means of keeping ourselves from falling away?"

- "The danger of apostasy will always be present if men receive the truth only in their minds, but do not love it in their hearts and gladly submit to it in their wills ... evangelical doctrine must be understood by the mind, loved by the heart, and willingly and gladly submitted to by the will (Rom 6:17)."

- "The word of God is a troublesome inmate to an unhumbled mind and heart."

- "The gospel is not contrary to reason but is above reason. Corrupt reason will not accept this truth and so does not accept anything it cannot understand or believe (ex: Arminianism) ... man's reason is finite, limited and bounded, so it cannot perfectly understand things which infinite wisdom has devised (Job 11:7-9). Reason must humbly submit to, and willingly learn from, divine revelation."

- "See that the power and truth of holiness is kept up in his own heart and life. Only then will apostasy be restrained."

To defend against apostasy:
1. "first be concerned with the glory of God..."
2. "pray continually..."
3. "contend earnestly for the faith..."
4. "keep a careful watch over our own hearts..."
5. "beware of trusting in the outward privileges / ordinances of the church..."
6. "beware of national sins..."
7. "avoid those special sins which alienate the minds of men from the gospel..."

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that ought to be read by every Christian with sobering humility and great desire to truly know and walk in Christ. A much needed, and quite applicable, book for our generation. There is nothing new under the sun; indeed, what a blessing it is to have a copy of this old treasure by John Owen. It will open your eyes, convict your soul, and examine your heart as he pours through Scripture to point us to our need for Jesus, not only upon conversation, but with every step and breath we take. It is a hard read, as it’s convicting, sobering and weighty, to say the least, but well worth the investment for those who want to grown in acquiring a great depth of gratitude for Christ in His sustaining power for those who place their faith in Him. In finishing this book, my prayer is that it will find itself in many a Christian’s hand.

[Caleb CW · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a challenging book for believers. A great guide of hard truths to set yourself on a stronger spiritual path. Full of warnings and solutions to those warnings that all lead to Christ. My mind was swarmed with questions, but I'm coming away more at peace. Highly recommend if you are feeling like you're in a rut spiritually. Great book.

There it is and there you have it.

[Rebekah Mccurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for all Christians! Very sobering and convicting. Owens does a wonderful job of laying out the dangers of both partial apostasy and total apostasy. He also shows our need to not grow weary but to be vigilant in our walk with the Lord.
Definitely a great read!

[Jay D]

Sucks; crappy reformed theology.

[Ched Spellman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This recent entry in the Complete Works of John Owen presents Owen's extended reflection on the nature of the gospel and also what happens when someone ultimately rejects this in apostasy.

One of Owen's lifelong projects was his lengthy multi-volume commentary on the NT epistle to the Hebrews. In order to keep that commentary from becoming laden with asides and extended discussions, Owen sometimes published independent volumes that were drawn from his exegetical work. This volume represents an example of this practice on one of the most contentious parts of the letter. As he considers the nature of apostasy from the gospel, Owen anchors his reflection in a close reading of Hebrews 6:4–6. This important passage reads,

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

In his exegesis of this text, Owen considers various interpretive options and the history of interpretation, and then synthesizes what has come to be known as the Reformed position on the warning passages (that the individuals described were not genuine believers). After this opening exegetical chapter, Owen makes a distinction between "total apostasy" and "partial apostasy" (this is one of his critical distinctions in his study).

Total apostasy is a final and complete rejection of the gospel. Partial apostasy on the other hand consists of a habitual neglect or rejection of core components of the gospel and the Christian life. This kind of doctrinal and practical deviation from the gospel could include corruption of one's convictions due to worldly pressure, spiritual darkness and inconsistent spiritual disciplines, or the presence of pride, love of the world, or any kind of "backsliding" from devotion to Christ.

After establishing this biblical and theological framework, in the final chapters Owen then seeks to apply the warning of Hebrews 6 to all believers. The fear of the Lord should compel them to flee total apostasy and the signs of any kind of partial apostasy should likewise convince them to stop and re-commit their lives to the truth of the gospel and the life of the church.

In the introduction, editor Joel Beeke does an excellent job of exploring the historical context for Owen's lengthy discussion on apostasy and explaining why Owen writes so directly to those in the church. Owen was disappointed in the lack of apparent faithfulness among the post-Reformation churches in England and also alarmed at the possible slide from backsliding into apostasy that might occur for individual believers and non-conforming congregations.

This volume tackles a difficult but urgent and sober issue. It's worth considering carefully!

[Connor Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply phenomenal. Owen is a mastermind and like a theological Midas, for everything he has his hand upon is pure gold. This has been such an incredibly impactful book upon me, and in many ways is almost prophetic. The numerous reasons he gives for apostasy in the life of individual believers and the church at large are almost surgically precise in their diagnosis if applied to all of the ills of American Christianity. Very thankful for this book and I will surely return to it in the future. This was also incredibly well edited (so many helpful footnotes and a tremendously helpful introduction!), so kudos to Crossway for putting out a very high quality product with their republication of Owen’s works.

[Xenophon · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Owen is the Thomas Sowell of the theology. He's the author you'll avoid for your years because he's reputed to be a big brain and one feels better off getting to know a big brain they're already accustomed to rather than start from scratch.

I bought this slim (abridged and modern language-updated) edition to get my toes wet and boy I'm kicking myself for waiting this long. It reminds me of Thomas Brooks' Precious Remedies Against Satan's devices, but instead of wandering through every permutation of spiritual warfare, Owen zeroes in on the main causes of apostasy, their effects, and the marks of true, holy living under the Gospel.

Its well worth your time.

[James Horgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid work which is a precis of Owen's fuller volume on this topic.

Taking apostasy, from which there is no return, as being a genuine tasting of the work of Spirit but not savingly, Owen warns readers to have a true interest in Christ. In tracing apostasy historically there is a focus on the downward progress of the Roman Catholic church.

A spiritually beneficial read though I am always left wondering how I would have found the unexpurgated version by comparison. (It's on my bookshelf and I suppose I can only blame the shortness of life.)

[Parker Bentley · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this work, Owen encourages his readers to trust in the sovereign Triune God and the gracious means provided to Christians to persevere in the faith. Much of the work is focused on the doctrines taught by the Roman Catholic Church and its straying from the gospel. I disagreed with a few minor points Owen had on Hebrews 6, but otherwise the book is really convicting and of much benefit to the church today.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book beneficial, especially the first section on Hebrews 6:4-6. That part alone was particularly instructive, as it will prove helpful in responding to claims that true Christians can lose their salvation.
The rest of the book touches on history and the apostasy of the Roman Catholic church.

[The Great Asπ e · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Owen seeks to properly understand the apostasy given the warning passages in Hebrews and elsewhere. Owen expertly pairs the passages with God's preservation of his people and the warning passages. I think wherever you find yourself on this issue, this is a must read.

[Austin Wynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so full of Scripture that to argue with it is to argue with God. In a day when many are apostosizing from the faith, this book provides both warnings for our own souls and helps to ensure we keep loving Jesus.

[Dave Carrig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost prophetic - very relevant with regards to the state of the church and world we live in today.

[Andrew Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important volume for our own day. Why do people apostasize from the faith? Owen approaches the question as only he can. Highly recommended.

[Joonas Laajanen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top tier.

[Jesus Salgado · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a treasure! Very helpful in understanding some of the warning passages in scripture!

[Seth · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was some good stuff in here, but very hard to read.

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The abridged version is very easy to read.
Very practical and also insightful into the difference causes of apostasy and how to guard against it.

[Justin Andrusk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr.Owen expounds all the dangers of apostasy from the Gospel as outlined in Scripture. He gives a particular emphasis on the Roman Catholic Church being the apex of apostasy within the Christian Religion along with good arguments.

[Ezra · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book on the apostasy from the gospel shows how so many fall away into a uncriptural christian mindset, written by my favorite author! a Goodread!