Book Review: Jonathan Edwards

After editing the previous pamphlet reviews, I realized I had failed to write up a book review for another book I own and added to my morning devotional time. Stephen J. Nichols presents a thorough consideration of a great man of God in this book Jonathan Edwards: A Guided Tour of His Life and Thought. I know I greatly enjoyed this book because I tabbed many pages. Sadly, I've read several other books since then and my memory for writing this review will be taxed.

This biography summarizes Jonathan Edwards' major themes against the background of his life. Some call him America's greatest theologian. He was a minister in New England known for the famous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." His careful consideration of a spider dangling from its web led to the thoughts in that sermon. 

The forward to this book asserts, "We read Edwards because Edwards interprets Scripture so powerfully that he helps us to see God better." Edwards emphasizes the glory, the majesty, and the sovereignty of God. I was blown away by Edwards' productivity. He was always studying, always learning, and always considering new angles of insight. His longsuffering wife cared for the household, allowing him to focus on his studies and his sermon preparation. He was instrumental in propeling the time of revival we call "The Great Awakening."

Even though he's well known for his consideration of God's wrath, Edwards writes extensively about God's grace. At one point, he argues, "All our good is of God, through God, and in God. God is the source, cause, and author of our good. God is the means and mediator of our good. God is the end, object, and essence of our good." In Nichol's explanation, "God's power converts, preserves, and will someday perfect his redeemed."

He was also interested in clarifying that there is a difference between professing Christ and possessing Christ. There are distinguishing signs in the lives of those who possess Christ. He is willing to admit, though, that believers do not always live saintly lives. Edwards writes, "True saints may be guilty of some kinds and degrees of backsliding, may be foiled by particular temptations, and fall into sin, yea, great sins; but they can never fall away so as to grow weary of religion and the service of God, and to habitually dislike and neglect it, either on its own account or on account of the difficulties that attend it." With true believers, the Holy Spirit is evident.

One other tid-bit I recall from the book is that Edwards died from a fatal reaction to a smallpox vaccination. Shortly after this, his daughter died in the same way. How horrific! It makes me sad to think all the world lost with the death of this great man. It was a joy to learn more about him and made me want to spend time reading more of Edwards' writings.