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Jonathan Edwards resources

Filed Under Jonathan Edwards, Resources 

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said,

“No man is more relevant to the present conditions of Christianity than Jonathan Edwards…He was a mighty theologian and a great evangelist at the same time. If you want to know anything about true revival, Edwards is the man to consult. My advice is, read Jonathan Edwards. Go back to something solid and deep and real.’

Lord willing, I’ll finish my Wednesday night sketch on Jonathan Edwards next week (9/27). The good attendance and discussions and conversations that have followed are not only encouraging, but they also confirm for me that Edwards’ life, ministry and legacy are truly compelling and, as Lloyd-Jones asserted a few decades back, relevant. Edwards was and is a great blessing to the Church. Moment of self-disclosure: I harbor a secret fear that no ‘normal’ person is really interested in the dead men with whom I converse on a daily basis. I do have friends who are alive–really, I do!

Sweet Dropper readers may appreciate another opportunity to check out some of the Edwards resources I have recommended:

  1. Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography by Iain Murray. If you want a serious, in-depth study of Edwards from a Reformed admirer, then this is the Edwards biography for you. If you read only one Edwards biography, read this one.
  2. Jonathan Edwards: A Life by George Marsden. Marsden, who teaches history at Notre Dame, won a number of literary awards after the 2003 release of this book. Marsden tells the story well, but also deals with Edwards as a figure in the context of his own time. Marsden is not afraid to present Edwards in a critical light, but he never attacks or dismisses Edwards, as many biographers have done.
  3. A God-Entranced Vision of All Things: The Legacy of Jonathan Edwards (ed. John Piper and Justin Taylor) is a collection of essays that grew out of a 2003 Conference in Minneapolis sponsored by Desiring God Ministries. Like most collections, the quality of the individual essays is rather uneven, but they do set forth the continuing relevance of Edwards to Christian living and ministry today. Sherard Burns’ ‘Trusting the Theology of a Slave-Holder’ is excellent, as are the short expositions of Edwards’ major theological works, Original Sin, Freedom of the Will and A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections. [NOTE: This book is available also as an on-line book from Desiring God Ministries.]
  4. A Jonathan Edwards Reader (ed. John E. Smith, Harry S. Stout, and Kenneth P. Minkema). Better than reading about Edwards is actually reading Edwards! The editors of the Yale collection of Edwards’ works have assembled a fine paperback anthology which includes the major theological works, some sermons, and autobiographical material.

Comments

2 Responses to “Jonathan Edwards resources”

  1. timmcneely@mac.com on October 8th, 2006 4:56 pm

    Did I mention that this guy is my homeboy?


    Homeboy #5
    by
    timmcneely
    Get this custom t-shirt at Zazzle

  2. christina archer on February 6th, 2007 1:31 pm

    I have started now to read Jonathan Edwards as well as reading about him. What a pity it is that he seems to be remembered best for the ‘Sinners in the hands of an Angry God’ sermon. His relationship with God was much deeper and finer than that. He was a great pastor and theologian,

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