I am always looking for helps learning more about Edwards and his theology. I recently found this podcast that is extremely helpful and I thought some of you might enjoy. It’s called East of Eden: “East of Eden devotes each episode to a work of Jonathan Edwards’. Several Edwards experts discuss the key features of the work in order to draw out Edwards rich biblical and systematic theology.” Continue reading Talking Edwards
What does it mean to trust in God? If you haven’t yet trusted in God, it is actually going to be difficult to understand fully what it means. There’s a peace and confidence that comes as a result of trusting God that is bigger than words can explain, and yet, with how valuable trusting God is, it is worth it to at least try. In his sermon, Christian Safety, Jonathan Edwards highlights the following seven characteristics of a person who is really trusting God: 1.) He knows he needs God’s help. “If we see not our great and perishing need … Continue reading What trusting God looks like
One of the ways Satan tempted Adam and Eve was by telling them they would become like God by disobeying Him. I am not sure he actually believed this would happen. Jonathan Edwards suggested he didn’t. “When Satan said so, he did not really think that this would really be the fruit of it; he aimed at that which was infinitely contrary, his lowest depression, debasement and ruin.” What grace God has shown us however, and what wisdom! Our disobedience of course did not make us like God, but instead more like the animals. Our rebellion did not elevate us, but … Continue reading Frustrating the Frustrater
It is one thing to look like you take God’s Word seriously and another to really put it into practice. Unfortunately we sometimes settle for a hypocrite’s obedience. If others think I am serious about the Bible, then I am serious about the Bible. This is far from the proper response to God’s Word. Jonathan Edwards highlights three characteristics of real obedience: 1. The obedience of the godly is sincere. Sincerity is when what a person does on the outside matches what is going on on the inside. In other words, when our outward religious activity matches up with our … Continue reading Real Obedience
As believers we often talk about the importance of self-denial and picking up our cross in following Christ. And, of course, we should. As we do so however, we should be careful to remember that we are not simply talking about self-denial for the sake of self-denial. In other words, the reason we talk so much about self-denial is not simply because we do not believe in pleasure. The reality is while there are many difficulties that come into our lives as a result of following after Jesus, there is also tremendous joy and good that is produced as well. … Continue reading The Pleasantness of Religion
There is no knowledge as valuable as spiritual knowledge. Sometimes it seems like there is no knowledge more rare. How is spiritual knowledge obtained? Jonathan Edwards suggests the following: 1.) The procuring cause is Jesus: It was purchased for them through the work of Jesus Christ. For me to have spiritual knowledge, Jesus had to die and I need to be united to Him. 2.) The immediate efficient cause is the Spirit: All spiritual saving light is given by the immediate teaching of the Holy Spirit. For me to have spiritual knowledge, the Spirit of God has to remove the … Continue reading How Spiritual Knowledge is Obtained
“The views of some men are confined to a narrow compass…nothing seems real to them but what they see with their eyes, and is the object of their bodily senses. The reason of this is a certain narrowness of soul, that has but a very scanty and confined knowledge, confined to the dust they tread on. This world appears very great to them, and worthy to set their hearts upon. ‘Tis because of a littleness of soul, they are like insects, worms and ants, to whom a little hillock looks like a mountain, and a spire of grass like a … Continue reading Seeing Things At A Distance
It is possible to know a lot about God without really knowing much of anything at all. A person can be an unbeliever and have an extensive understanding of biblical doctrines, be orthodox in all his opinions, and yet not ever really have tasted or enjoyed or delighted in the gospel, the Savior, the glory of God. Jonathan Edwards once put it like this, “The knowledge of a thing is not in proportion to the extensiveness of our notions, or number of circumstances known, only; but it consists chiefly in the intensiveness of the idea. Thus it is not he … Continue reading Knowing versus Knowing
I am reading through Jonathan Edwards’ Miscellanies. Miscellany is sort of a strange word, meaning odds and ends, a mixture of items, and I think you need a strange word like that to describe what Edwards’ Miscellanies are, because they don’t really fit so well into a specific kind or style of writing. They are almost like a journal, but one of the things that has struck scholars over the years, is their almost absolute absence of references to Edwards’ personal life. He makes basically no references to his public activities, and he makes hardly any references to what’s happening … Continue reading The Sweetest Joys and Delights I have experienced
Joshua Mack 