M.TH. LONG DISSERTATION (LD6.1) - John Owen

John Owen’s Theological Context
imputation of our sin to Christ: ‘He took on him the person of the whole church that
had sinned, to answer for what they had done against God and the law.’
Thirdly, something may be imputed ex injuria, ‘when that is laid unto the charge
of any whereof he is not guilty’. 126 This is unjust, but God never acts in this way.
Fourthly, imputation may be ex mera gratia, ‘of mere grace and favour’. 127 This
happens when what is not ours in any way prior to imputation is ‘granted unto us, made
ours, so as that we are judged of and dealt with according unto it.’ Owen argues that the
Apostle Paul refers to such an imputation in Romans 4, where it includes both the non-
imputation of sin and the imputation of righteousness. Since the foundation of
imputation ex mera gratia is Christ’s mediation, there are no parallel examples among
humans.
These various grounds are not completely distinct; they can concur in the same
imputation, and sometimes they do. The imputation of Christ’s righteousness to the
elect is both ex justitia and ex mera gratia. It is an act of grace because God gives to sinners
what they do not deserve, yet also an act of justice, because Christ is the federal head of
the elect. It is also an imputation ex voluntaria sponsione. In the covenant of redemption
Christ undertook, according to the Father’s will, to act as surety for the elect, and so to
represent them, taking the guilt of their sins upon himself, and giving them his
righteousness. This voluntary undertaking of the office of mediator therefore provides
the foundation for Christ’s covenant relationship to the elect in the covenant of grace.
126 Owen 1850-55: V.171.
127 Owen 1850-55: V.171.
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