In March 2014, Owens shared "It Comes Back to You" from a new album he created with close friends. In May, he released "Stephen," describing it as unique in his work. By July, he revealed the album cover, tracklist, and a video for the single "Nothing More Than Everything to Me," directed by Max Minghella, announcing A New Testament for a late-September release, alongside a North America and UK tour.

Owens described A New Testament as rooted in American music genres—Gospel, Country, and R&B—emphasizing "three chords and the truth." He collaborated with former bandmates from Father, Son, Holy Ghost (2011), including guitarist John Anderson, drummer Darren Weiss, keyboardist Danny Eisenberg, and producer Doug Boehm.

In a July interview, Owens explained that A New Testament drew from his early influences, including the country guitar music he played with the Children of God and AM radio from his work with Stanley Marsh 3 in Texas. Reflecting on the album’s more upbeat tone, Owens stated, "I’m happy… I don’t want to be afraid to show that," adding that his contentment came from his relationship with Hannah Hunt and a renewed bond with his father, referenced in "Stephen."

In August, Owens performed acoustic versions of "I Just Can’t Live Without You (But I'm Still Alive)," "Nothing More Than Everything to Me," and the unreleased "Brian Deneke" in London. In September, he released a cowboy-themed video for "Never Wanna See That Look Again." A week before the album's release, A New Testament began streaming on Pitchfork Advance.

Some songs on A New Testament date back to Owens’ time in Girls: "Overcoming Me" from 2008, "Stephen" from around 2010, and "Oh My Love" first performed in 2010. Owens noted that these songs capture powerful memories tied to their original moments of writing. Despite the album's gospel influences, Owens, an atheist, reimagined the opening song "My Trouble Heart" from a secular viewpoint, adapting Peter, Paul and Mary’s "Early in the Morning."