Brains, Hearts, & Holy Churn
Brains, Hearts, and Holy Churn
The Redwoods of California are the largest living things on Earth. They can grow over 360 feet tall, with trunks exceeding 60 feet in circumference. They are giants among trees, with all others dwarfing in comparison.
If Puritans were trees, they would be the Redwoods of the forest. Unfortunately, few Christians are truly aware of the Puritans. By aware, I mean they have actually read them. Most have heard of them, but usually in a negative way. The Puritans are among the most misunderstood figures in church history.
The Puritans loved to keep Christ as the center of their lives. For them, all of life was Christian. Their great concern was how to live the Christian life. They believed it began with a realistic understanding of self-knowledge. The Puritan John Owen believed there were four aspects of self-knowledge vital to the Christian life. This blog focuses on the first aspect of self-knowledge.
#1. The Christian Is Human.
Humans are created in the image of God with a mind of reason and rational action. Mankind is unique among all other animals in this sense. As rational creatures, man is equipped with faculties unique to his design. Owen identifies three faculties: 1. Understanding (mind), 2. Affections (desires), and 3. the Will (actions).
Understanding is the Spirit-enlightened ability of the mind to apprehend, reason, and discern spiritual truths. The mind enlightened by truth then shapes our affections toward God as the object of our desire, love, joy, and supreme delight. Our affections then direct and steer our will to action for godly living.
Thus, Owen’s first aspect of the Christian life is to know that we were created with a mind that orders our affections and affections that direct our actions. As we gain a greater understanding of Christ, our hearts churn for more of Him, changing how we live.
(Adapted from a Quest for Godliness, J.I. Packer.)
The Redwoods of California are the largest living things on Earth. They can grow over 360 feet tall, with trunks exceeding 60 feet in circumference. They are giants among trees, with all others dwarfing in comparison.
If Puritans were trees, they would be the Redwoods of the forest. Unfortunately, few Christians are truly aware of the Puritans. By aware, I mean they have actually read them. Most have heard of them, but usually in a negative way. The Puritans are among the most misunderstood figures in church history.
The Puritans loved to keep Christ as the center of their lives. For them, all of life was Christian. Their great concern was how to live the Christian life. They believed it began with a realistic understanding of self-knowledge. The Puritan John Owen believed there were four aspects of self-knowledge vital to the Christian life. This blog focuses on the first aspect of self-knowledge.
#1. The Christian Is Human.
Humans are created in the image of God with a mind of reason and rational action. Mankind is unique among all other animals in this sense. As rational creatures, man is equipped with faculties unique to his design. Owen identifies three faculties: 1. Understanding (mind), 2. Affections (desires), and 3. the Will (actions).
Understanding is the Spirit-enlightened ability of the mind to apprehend, reason, and discern spiritual truths. The mind enlightened by truth then shapes our affections toward God as the object of our desire, love, joy, and supreme delight. Our affections then direct and steer our will to action for godly living.
Thus, Owen’s first aspect of the Christian life is to know that we were created with a mind that orders our affections and affections that direct our actions. As we gain a greater understanding of Christ, our hearts churn for more of Him, changing how we live.
(Adapted from a Quest for Godliness, J.I. Packer.)
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