A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SANCTIFICATION IN THE THEOLOGY OF JOHN OWEN AND THOMAS GOODWIN: THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE SANCTIFICATION OF THE BELIEVER

If a Christian is to know how to live a sanctified life, he must understand the work of the Holy Spirit. Knowledge of the Holy Spirit and His work directly affects the way believers live and the direction of their lives. In Reformed theology, many godly servants of God have discussed the work of the Holy Spirit as far back as the Puritans, and John Owen and Thomas Goodwin are the most representative theologians of these people. They were confronted with the same hostile views, such as Pelagianism and the Roman Catholicism of their day. Both theologians published their understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit and taught the church the right view of sanctification. This thesis will describe how each of these theologians explained the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers and will compare them in detail. Owen believed that a sanctified life is one that is constantly cleansed of sin, and that the Holy Spirit causes people to live holy lives through the principles of holiness that believers possess after being born again. Goodwin believed that a sanctified life is a life lived in conformity with the image of God, and that the Holy Spirit changes the heart and behavior of believers through the principles of holiness they possess after regeneration. The comparison in this thesis shows that the teachings of the two theologians are in general agreement, and both emphasize the spiritual principles given by the Holy Spirit as essential to sanctification. We also find that the difference in the two theologians’ views of these principles directly affects the direction in which they teach sanctification. Through this comparison, we can see that Owen’s and Goodwin’s teachings are not contradictory but complementary. In combination, the teachings of the two theologians can provide a broader understanding of sanctification and offer useful applications and guidance for the various problems of the church.