The Glory of Christ - John Owen

John Owen’s seventeenth-century work, The Glory of Christ, explores the vital intersection between rigorous theology and personal devotion, emphasizing that the Christian life centers on the contemplative vision of Jesus. The text argues that spiritual health and sanctification are not products of moral striving but are the natural results of a heart captivated by the Savior’s divine majesty and redemptive love. Owen posits that beholding Christ by faith while on earth is the necessary preparation for experiencing the beatific vision in eternity. By examining the hypostatic union and the gospel, the author provides a pastoral remedy for spiritual exhaustion, urging believers to fix their gaze on the radiance of God's character. Ultimately, the source highlights how intellectual study of the divine must transition into a transformative, experiential love for the person of Christ.