Goodwin labors to show us, Christ’s church, especially from the Book of Hebrews, that our Messiah is very active in heaven for His people on earth; and that, in His human nature, He sympathizes with us and shares our griefs and sorrows (and joys).  Goodwin teaches that Jesus Christ, as God’s Great High Priest, given for and to the elect church, has been endowed with an even greater measure of anointing by the Holy Spirit since His ascension into heaven, and His being crowned the Lord and King of all.  It is His very office (for all eternity) to be filled with mercy and compassion for us.

Thomas Goodwin (1600-1680 AD), was another of the truly great Puritan pastor/scholars of the 17th Century AD.  He was a brilliant exegete and theologian–but he was also an incredibly tender undershepherd of Jesus, the Chief Shepherd of our souls (1 Pet. 5:4).

Goodwin’s writing style, for me at least, is not the easiest to navigate; but once you can get used to his rhythm and flow he becomes more comprehendible.  (Not every Puritan writer is a Thomas Watson[!])  Goodwin’s content is so savory, that it will be worth your while to take him on (at any cost).

In my limited (so far) reading of Goodwin, I have been most impressed by his Christology (doctrine of Christ).  In my opinion, Christology is not only super-important, it is also the key “link” between understanding life in this world as a regenerated churched Christian, vis-a-vis life in Christ in the world to come.  Whereas some great theologians (like even Augustine) will sometimes leave me wondering, “How am I to grasp the glories of Christ’s atonement of me in this age, with reference to heaven?”–Goodwin does a marvelous job of answering this question.  And the answer is: “Jesus Christ Himself as He is the church’s Great High Priest [even now], is the One who is THOROUGHLY connected to us, and concerned about us.”  [These are all my words, but they reflect Goodwin’s lovely doctrine.] 

Right now, I am gleaning these glories from Banner of Truth’s publication of a short Goodwin treatise, entitled, The Heart of Christ.

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