by John Owen
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
This is not a casual book. It is a mountain of biblical theology—a theological Everest. Very few travelers in our generation have been willing to make the arduous ascent to John Owen’s original The Death of Death in the Death of Christ. His arguments are complex, his prose dense, and his reasoning relentless. But the view from the top is glorious. For those who dare to follow Owen’s trail, the reward is a breathtaking vision of Christ’s atonement—full, definite, and effective. This is why this new abridged, reformatted and modernized edition is a gift of profound pastoral value.
This version brings Owen’s towering classic into the hands of modern readers without compromising the weight of his thought. Every sentence has been refined for clarity, yet the granite core remains. The book is a powerful antidote to the vague and sentimental views of the cross that plague much of modern evangelicalism. Owen demolishes the idea that Christ’s death merely makes salvation possible; he shows from Scripture that Christ actually accomplished redemption for those the Father gave Him. This is not cold theology—it is the warm hearth at which the weary and guilt-ridden soul finds assurance.
But this is more than an intellectual exercise. This book brings the reader to stand at the foot of the cross and see, not a general offer made to all and accepted by few, but a victorious Savior who really purchased, reconciled, and saved His people. As Owen argues, to say that Christ died for all and yet many perish is to deny the power of the cross. Either Christ saves those for whom He died, or He failed. There is no middle ground.
What makes this abridged edition especially valuable is that it opens the door wide for those who would never have dared to crack the original. Pastors, students, and everyday Christians can now sit at the feet of one of the greatest theologians of the Reformation era and hear him say with Scripture’s full voice: Christ did not die in vain. His death was not a possibility—it was a purchase.
If you long to behold the glory of Christ's cross—not just in its depth of suffering but in its certainty of accomplishment—read this book. Read it slowly. Read it prayerfully. And come away worshiping.
Original & Lightly Modernized Versions also available
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Book I — The General Scope of Christ's Death as Taught in Scripture
Chapter 1: A general introduction to the purpose of Christ's death as revealed in Scripture
Chapter 2: On the meaning of an "end" or purpose, with important distinctions
Chapter 3: On the Father as the chief author of redemption, and His role in the work
Chapter 4: On the particular role of the Son in the work of redemption
Chapter 5: On the distinct operations of the Holy Spirit in redemption
Chapter 6: On the means used by the triune God to accomplish this work
Chapter 7: Proving that Christ's offering and intercession form one united work, aimed at the same people and purpose
Chapter 8: Responding to objections against the unity and purpose of Christ's work
Book II — The Specific Purpose and Effect of Christ's Death
Chapter 1: Foundational considerations before examining the particular end of Christ's death
Chapter 2: Refuting mistaken or false claims about the purpose of His death
Chapter 3: Defining the immediate goal of Christ's death and the various ways it is described
Chapter 4: On the distinction between impetration (securing benefits) and application (bestowing them); including a critique of the opposing view and a clear statement of the issue
Chapter 5: A further exploration of impetration and application
Book III — Arguments Against Universal Redemption
Chapter 1: The first two arguments: from the nature of the new covenant and its administration
Chapter 2: Three more arguments refuting the idea of universal atonement
Chapter 3: Two further arguments based on the representative role Christ took upon Himself
Chapter 4: On sanctification and faith as fruits of Christ's death, and how He secured them
Chapter 5: Continuing arguments drawn from the true nature of redemption
Chapter 6: On reconciliation, and arguments arising from its true meaning
Chapter 7: On the satisfaction made by Christ, and the implications for its extent
Chapter 8: A digression: an account of a theological discussion on Christ's satisfaction
Chapter 9: Continuation of the previous discussion—additional proofs for Christ's satisfaction
Chapter 10: On the merit of Christ and how it supports definite atonement
Chapter 11: A final comprehensive argument against universal redemption
Book IV — Answering Objections to Particular Redemption
Chapter 1: Preliminary considerations for responding to objections
Chapter 2: Beginning the replies to specific opposing arguments
Chapter 3: Examination and response to Scripture texts cited in support of universal redemption
Chapter 4: Answering the second major argument for universal atonement
Chapter 5: A response to the final biblical argument for general redemption
Chapter 6: A full reply to the twentieth chapter of The Universality of God's Free Grace, which gathers the author's arguments for universal atonement throughout the book