Aug
11
I’m so glad that Phillip decided to do a series on the life of Jonathan Edwards during the teaching portion of our Wednesday evening prayer meeting. I have, for some time now, been reading through Murray’s biography of Edwards. I have simply been enthralled by the life of Edwards. I grew up in public education, having only heard of Jonathan Edwards as the epitome of an angry preacher (ie Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God). It wasn’t until seminary, when I began to read him, that I discovered how antithetical my preconceived views were to the actual life, character, and ministry of Reverend Edwards. I look forward with baited breath to the next installments of Phillip’s series.
And now let me explain the title of this post. As I said, I have not finished the biography of Edwards, but yesterday I did finish Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards. It is a penetrating look into the very heart of what it means to be a Christian. Edwards had seen massive revival in and around his congregation. In the midst of this renewing work by the Holy Spirit, the powers of darkness were also at work creating false conversions and spiritual experiences. The question quickly arose as to how the true religious experience of a converted Christian was to be discerned. Edwards answers this question in Religious Affections in three parts, working primarily from 1 Peter 1:8. His main contention is that true Christian experience is shown in a believer’s affection for God for who He is in and of Himself and that these religious affections are shown most clearly in the holy practice of the believer. This book has been food for my soul as I’ve read it these past few months. If you’ve never read it, make sure you pick up a copy. It isn’t an easy read, but it is a rewarding read.
If you are looking for more information on Edwards you can find excellent resources at the Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale University.
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