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This thesis has been submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for a postgraduate degree (e.g. PhD, MPhil, DClinPsychol) at the University of Edinburgh. Please note the following terms and conditions of use: • This work is protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights, which are retained by the thesis author, unless otherwise stated. • A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. • This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the author. • The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the author. • When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given. The University of Edinburgh College of Humanities and Social Science School of Divinity New College A Sure Foundation: Christology, Covenant Theology, and Hermeneutics in John Owen’s Discourses on Hebrews By John W. Tweeddale A Thesis Submitted in Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Edinburgh, Scotland 2016 Declaration “This is to certify that the work contained within has been composed by me and is entirely my own work. No part of this thesis has been submitted for any other degree or professional qualification.” Signed: John W. Tweeddale In Memoriam James W. Tweeddale (1937–2014) ABSTRACT John Owen’s (1616–1683) four-volume commentary on the epistle to the Hebrews represents the apex of his literary career and exemplifies many of the exegetical methods of the post-Reformation. This thesis is the first detailed analysis of his introductory discourses, or “exercitations,” on Hebrews. Owen’s exercitations on the Messiah in particular are an ideal source for this examination, since they serve as the prolegomena for his exposition proper. More specifically, this thesis evaluates the hermeneutical function of Christological and covenantal patterns that arise from Owen’s argument concerning the fulfilment of the messianic promise in the person and work of Christ. Therefore, this study is a descriptive analysis of the text and context of Owen’s discourses on the Messiah. The topics considered in each chapter are based upon hermeneutical questions that are pertinent to Owen’s promise-fulfilment scheme in general and to the relationship of Christology and covenant theology in particular. Chapter 1 examines scholarship on Owen’s commentary and suggests possible reasons for its neglect. Chapter 2 places Owen’s exercitations and exposition within the context of his life and times, and explains the central argument of his work. Chapters 3 and 4 provide the conceptual basis for this study, as they introduce two essential components of Owen’s discourses on the Messiah. Chapter 3 establishes the importance of federal theology for Owen by examining his exegesis of Genesis 3:15, and its relationship to the covenant of redemption and covenant of grace. Chapter 4 considers the problem posed by a Christological reading of the Old Testament for those like Owen who are committed to the literal sense of Scripture. Chapters 5 and 6 consider aspects of continuity and discontinuity between the Old and New Testaments, and seek to illustrate the connection between Owen’s exercitations and exposition. Chapter 5 considers the nature of faith in the Old Testament, noting especially the importance of the Abrahamic covenant for what Owen calls “the oneness of the church.” In contrast, chapter 6 provides an extended analysis of the role of the law in the Mosaic covenant, considering in particular the highly problematic question of the recapitulation of the covenant of works and the nature of the old and new covenants. The conclusion summarises the findings of this study. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS One of the ironies of Owen’s commentary on Hebrews is that he begins his prefatory remarks to Sir William Morrice with a statement that he does not want to waste the secretary of state’s time with a long discourse explaining the circumstances of why he wrote his work. In typical Owen fashion, he cites a Latin maxim: Ne longo sermone morer tua tempora. When expressing gratitude to others, in other words, get to the point. Sometimes a simple thank you must do. I am grateful for the many family members, friends, mentors, colleagues, and students who have supported me throughout this project. Derek Thomas, Jerry O’Neill, Jim Spitzel, Josh Kines, Chris Larson, Burk Parsons, and Steve Nichols each have played significant roles in encouraging me to finish my thesis. Rick Stiffler, Aaron Garriott, Zachary Johnson, and Tyler Freire gave editorial help at various stages throughout my research. James Eglinton (my internal examiner) and Crawford Gribben (my external examiner) sharpened my understanding of Owen’s role as a seventeenth century biblical interpreter in what was a stimulating and enjoyable viva. I am especially grateful for Susan Hardman Moore. Her patience, feedback, expertise, and encouragement were essential for the completion of my work. I could not have asked for a better advisor. Several congregations have also supported me and my family, including First Presbyterian Church (Jackson, MS), Mount of Olives Baptist Church (Duluth, MN), Point Free Church of Scotland (Isle of Lewis), Saint Andrew’s Chapel (Sanford, FL), Trinity Evangelical Free Church (Eustis, FL), and Woodland Presbyterian Church (Hattiesburg, MS). I am especially grateful for the saints in Buccleuch and Greyfriars Free Church of Scotland (Edinburgh) and First Reformed Presbyterian Church (Pittsburgh, PA). The love these two congregations have shown us over the years is incalculable. Angela and I arrived in Edinburgh without children. We left with Amelia. Now our family has grown to include Knox and Evelyn. Over the course of my studies, I’ve learned a little about John Owen and a lot about myself. I am certain that I could not have finished my thesis without my family. The joy they bring me knows no bounds. Angela is undoubtedly the unsung hero of our marriage. Owen suggested that a godly spouse brings “wisdom to undergo the trials and temptations inseparable from this state of life.” Our years together have known a season of great loss. I suspect we will know more. At every juncture, Angela has brought a combination of wisdom, strength, and grace into our marriage in such a way that has left me confident that whatever comes our way we can undergo it together. My parents have been a steady support throughout my life. Sadly, my father died before seeing the completion of my thesis. He would frequently ask me about Owen, while also nudging me “to press on towards the mark.” Owen made no apology in dedicating his book to Morrice, believing that the “dedication of books unto persons of worth and honour hath secured itself from the impeachment of censure, by taking sanctuary in the usage of all times and ages.” It is in this same spirit that I dedicate this work in memory of my father. iii ABBREVIATIONS ANF Ante-Nicene Fathers ARG Archiv für Reformationsgeschichte BDE Biographical Dictionary of Evangelicals BT John Owen, Biblical Theology, trans. Stephen P. Westcott BO Bibliotheca Oweniana CH Church History CTJ Calvin Theological Journal CTS Calvin’s Commentaries, Calvin Theological Society, 22 vols. CO Ioannis Calvini opera quae supersunt omnia CTQ Concordia Theological Quarterly DHT The Dictionary of Historical Theology DLGTT A Dictionary of Latin and Greek Theological Terms DMBI Dictionary of Major Biblical Interpreters DNB Dictionary of National Biography EQ Evangelical Quarterly Hebrews (1668) John Owen, Exercitations on the epistle to the Hebrews also concerning the Messiah . with an exposition and discourses on the two first chapters of the said epistle to the Hebrews (1668) Hebrews (1674) John Owen, Exercitations on the epistle to the Hebrews, concerning the priesthood of Christ . with a continuation of the exposition on the third, fourth, and fifth chapters of said epistle to the Hebrews (1674) iv Hebrews (1680) John Owen, A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews viz, on the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth chapters (1680) Hebrews (1684) John Owen, A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews viz, on the eleventh, twelfth & thirteenth chapters, compleating that elaborate work (1684) HTR Harvard Theological Review Institutes John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, ed. John T. McNeill, trans. Ford L. Battles JEH Journal of Ecclesiastical History JETS Journal of Evangelical Theological Society MAJT Mid-America Journal of Theology NAK Nederlands Archief voor Kerkgeschiedenis NPNF Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers ODNB Oxford Dictionary of National Biography PG Patrologia Graeca PL Patrologia Latina PRRD Richard Muller, Post-Reformation Reformed Dogmatics, 4 vols. RTR The Reformed Theological Review Sabbath (1671) John Owen, Exercitations concerning the name, original, nature, use, and continuance of a day of sacred rest . together with an assertion of the divine institution of the Lord’s Day, and practical directions for its due observation (1671) Savoy Savoy Declaration (1658) SCJ Sixteenth Century Journal SJT Scottish Journal of Theology v Theologoumena (1661) John Owen, Theologoumena pantodapa. Sive de natura, ortu, progressu, et studio verae theologiae libri sex (1661) WCF Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) Works The Works of John Owen (1850–1855), ed. William H. Goold, 24 vols. Works, ed. T. Russell The Works of John Owen (1826), ed. Thomas Russell, 21 vols. WTJ Westminster Theological Journal ***** All citations to Owen’s commentary on Hebrews refer to the original four volumes along with the corresponding reference to the standard twenty-four-volume Goold edition of Owen’s works in parenthesis. For example, Hebrews (1668), 1.1.1 (Works, 18:25) equates to book 1, exercitation 1, and section 1 of the 1668 volume of Owen’s commentary (this reference then corresponds to volume 18, page 25 of the Goold edition of Owen’s works).