Nature of Apostasy
John Owen wrote this theological treatise in 1676 as England grappled with religious uncertainty following the Restoration of Charles II. The Puritan movement faced increasing pressure, and many who had once embraced Reformed theology were abandoning their convictions or retreating into nominal Christianity. Owen, serving as a prominent Nonconformist minister and theologian, recognized the urgent need to diagnose the spiritual phenomenon of apostasy that he witnessed around him.
Owen methodically examines apostasy as both a theological concept and a lived reality, distinguishing between different types of departure from Christian faith. He argues that true apostasy involves a deliberate rejection of known truth rather than mere intellectual doubt or temporary spiritual dryness. The work traces how apostasy typically develops through stages: initial gospel reception, partial spiritual enlightenment, gradual cooling of affections, and finally willful abandonment of Christian profession. Owen particularly focuses on what he calls "evangelical apostasy" - the departure of those who had genuine exposure to gospel truth but never experienced true regeneration. He grounds his analysis in extensive biblical exegesis, especially Hebrews 6 and 10, while drawing on his pastoral experience to illustrate how apostasy manifests in practical Christian living.
The treatise has remained influential in Reformed circles for its careful theological precision and pastoral sensitivity in addressing spiritual defection. Owen's analysis provides a framework that continues to help pastors and theologians distinguish between temporary spiritual struggles and genuine apostasy. This work should be read by pastors dealing with church members who are abandoning their faith, theologians studying the doctrine of perseverance, and mature Christians seeking to understand the nature of saving versus temporary faith. It is not suitable for new believers or those currently experiencing doubt, as Owen's clinical treatment of apostasy could prove unnecessarily disturbing rather than helpful.