You gotta admit, Edwards was quite the looker. I particularly enjoy how his wig was in neat curls on one side, and a bit more wild and free on the other. Best of both worlds.
Having been written in 1746, the Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards is a bit of a tricky read. It’s not a book to be simply read through (which I did), but ingested in smaller bites, contemplated, and studied. The language and sentences are difficult. Many terms used probably have different meanings for us in 2007 than they did for Edwards in 1746, such as the title “Religious Affections” itself. That being said, it is still very much a classic and for good reason. Still I probably would only offer it to the more serious scholar. aka: someone smarter than me.
I’d recommend reading some things about Jonathan Edwards before actually reading his own works. It helps get a picture of where he’s coming from. Piper has some good biographical resources at desiringgod.org that are informative and uplifting and…most importantly…not boring. Edwards was seen as the spearhead of the Great Awakening in America, yet he was also one of it’s outspoken critics.
One critique of the Great Awakening was the great number of conversions that were based on feelings and experiences. Such experiences might include but aren’t limited to a voice suddenly popping in your head, hightened senses, imagining heaven or the cross…etc. This is what Edwards primarily deals himself with in this book.
Basically, Edwards sees these experiences as neither true signs of conversion, and not necessarily being something not from God. He sees that the signs of true conversion are a God-centered life full of good fruit. He does make careful distinction that these good deeds are not what saves us, but are marks of a life surrendered to Christ. Edwards also encourages great self-examination of your faith and your life.
Though it was very difficult, it was a very humbling book to read, and greatly encouraging. I think a lot of people think of Edwards as some morose killjoy who went around popping kids balloons, but this book really showed that he was someone who knew what it was to have great joy in the Lord. It’s caused me to really reflect on my day-to-day life and if I’m really pointing to God through my life or not.
I’d recommend reading some things about Jonathan Edwards before actually reading his own works. It helps get a picture of where he’s coming from. Piper has some good biographical resources at desiringgod.org that are informative and uplifting and…most importantly…not boring. Edwards was seen as the spearhead of the Great Awakening in America, yet he was also one of it’s outspoken critics.
One critique of the Great Awakening was the great number of conversions that were based on feelings and experiences. Such experiences might include but aren’t limited to a voice suddenly popping in your head, hightened senses, imagining heaven or the cross…etc. This is what Edwards primarily deals himself with in this book.
Basically, Edwards sees these experiences as neither true signs of conversion, and not necessarily being something not from God. He sees that the signs of true conversion are a God-centered life full of good fruit. He does make careful distinction that these good deeds are not what saves us, but are marks of a life surrendered to Christ. Edwards also encourages great self-examination of your faith and your life.
Though it was very difficult, it was a very humbling book to read, and greatly encouraging. I think a lot of people think of Edwards as some morose killjoy who went around popping kids balloons, but this book really showed that he was someone who knew what it was to have great joy in the Lord. It’s caused me to really reflect on my day-to-day life and if I’m really pointing to God through my life or not.
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