An introduction to Jonathan Edwards

Over the next 4 weeks in our newsletters, we will again focussing on people of faith, people who should encourage & inspire us in our daily walk with Jesus. This week, we are looking at Jonathan Edwards. One writer says ‘It is unfortunate that many people imagine Jonathan Edwards as a ranting Puritan preacher, pounding the pulpit and trying to frighten sinners into heaven. Of course, most of these people have never read his famous sermon ‘Sinners in the Hands of an angry God’ or even examined the life of this godly man. For Jonathan Edwards was a quiet scholar, a loving father, a concerned pastor, a burdened missionary and a man who loved God and longed more than anything else to glorify him’.

Edwards was born in Connecticut on 5 October 1703. His paternal grandfather was Rev. Solomon Stoddard, who was the accepted spiritual leader of churches in Connecticut for over 50 years. As a young boy, Jonathan learned Latin, Greek & Hebrew – but his passions were science & religion (writing essays about spiders and how creation revealed the heart and mind of God!). His interest in spiritual things was remarkable for a young boy – he’d pray 5 times a day, and met to discuss spiritual matters. For Edwards, the doctrine of God’s sovereignty was a sticking point – but he was wonderfully converted aged 17, when reading 1 Timothy 1:17. He wrote ‘From about that time, I began to have a new kind of apprehensions and ideas of Christ, and the work of redemption, and the glorious way of salvation by Him’.

Reading about Edwards, a number of things struck me:

i) Religious affections: Edwards was not an ivory tower theologian; he always brought word and experience of heart together. One of his most important books is ‘A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections’ where he carefully explains the difference between shallow emotionalism & true affections for God.

ii) His resolutions: Edwards made a list of resolutions (read more here) that he read once a week and sought to obey daily – not as a law to bind him, but as a compass to guide him in his spiritual walk.

iii) His family: Jonathan & Sarah Edwards had 11 children! Although he often studied for 13 hours a day, he took time for his family, spending at least one hour each evening with his children. Their marriage and home were a testimony to the goodness and grace of God.

iv) His pastoring: As church pastor, he was deeply concerned for the souls of his flock. He was prepared to discipline, eager to evangelize, willing to preach difficult topics, keen to see the Word shape people’s everyday lives.

v) His preaching: As he preached a series of sermons on justification by faith, the Spirit began to move and people were wonderfully converted (this was part of what we call ‘The Great Awakening, 1725-1760). Perhaps his most famous sermon (Sinners in hand of angry God - read it here) was preached in 1741, where he used Deut 32:35 as his text to shake people out of religious complacency. He did not pound the pulpit or shout, he quietly delivered God’s truth. Edwards used imagination in his preacher, turning the ear into an eye and helping people see spiritual truth.

vi) His convictions: Edwards refused to compromise! When he informed the church that he would no longer permit unconverted people to the Lord’s table, and would not receive as new members people who were not converted, the church voted to dismiss him as their pastor. His final sermon showed no animosity or bitterness, rather a simple gospel message of the need to repent and believe. He held so firmly to his biblical convictions, even though they cost him his church and the loss of many friends.

vii) His mission work: Edwards was an evangelist! He moved to Massachusetts where he was a missionary to the Indians. Freed from pastoral duties and church problems, Edwards had time to study and write

He has been described as ‘perhaps the greatest thinker that America ever produced, and yet he had the heart of a child. He was a great theologian, yet his books and sermons touch life and reach into the heart. He had a longing to see people know God personally, but he refused to accommodate his theology just to get results.’ Perhaps his greatest impact on me personally is his passion for solid doctrinal preaching that addressed itself to both the heart and the mind.

With love in Christ
Paul Dale (Senior Pastor)

Note: For more on the life and ministry of Jonathan Edwards, read or listen to his biography on the Desiring God website.