The Nature of an End: Understanding Purpose and Its Distinctions | John Owen

Reformed Thinking · Sep 19, 2026 · 39m

Deep Dive into The Death of Death in the Death of Christ by John Owen - Of the Nature of an End in General, and Some Distinctions about It

John Owen defines the end of an action as that which a free intellectual agent intends to accomplish as desirable, while the means consist of the actions applied to attain that goal. Together, the end and means complete the rationale for voluntary action. Between these two elements exists a mutual causal relationship. The end serves as the principal moving cause that initiates and orders the whole work, whereas the means serve as the procuring cause. In a…