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A Thanks to Christ
for Jonathan Edwards
Edwards is one of the most valuable preachers and theologians that the
Christian church has ever possessed. I say that will full
conviction. Certainly, he was cut from the theological fabric of
the Reformation, along with the theology of Post-Reformation Dogmatics,
and the writings of some of the greatest puritans. Being both a
theologian and philosopher gave him an edge other ministers of the
Gospel simply did not possess. Certainly, God creates all His
servants with varying gifts and degrees of ability. However, we
should be thankful for the degree of cool-minded precision that Edwards
demonstrates, not only in his sermons, but in his writings too. It
is no wonder why the Encyclopedia Britannica deemed him the greatest
philosopher and theologian ever produced in America. I concur.
In my own reading of his works, I must admit, that Christ graciously
used (and uses) Edwards to shape much of my study and understanding of
many fundamental doctrinal truths, as well as many truths that some
would never even venture into (such as the doctrine of continuous
creation). I owe a great debt to Edwards for sparking my mind into
some of my own further formulations of theological and philosophical
ideas that I believe would never have come to pass without his help.
I am awed at his theological breadth and precision, his exegetical
prowess, and his pastoral heart - the combination - a triple threat,
but in a good way! He balances them in such grace as to place
him at the top of the "I wish I had what he had" list.
The Spirit of God uses his truth in every age to propagate and further
refine essential Christian doctrines for the church to understand in a
more particular light. Doctrine never changes as God never
changes, but good expositors of the Word will aid us in our quest to
understand the God of the Word all the more. For me, I owe a debt
to Edwards for this. He is among my
favorite theologians, favorite
pastors, and is my favorite "theological philosopher." I bid Christ a
hearty thanks for the work He worked through His servant, Jonathan
Edwards.
I hope you will find
Edwards' writings, treatises, miscellanies, letters and sermons as much
of a spiritual benefit as I have found them. I would encourage you
to begin with reading his sermons. After this, his miscellanies.
That will prepare you for his theological treatises.
Though all of his material
is available in book form, there are few websites that offer as much of
Edwards' works as A Puritans Mind. I will try to post his public
works in whole as I am able. But please remember, Edwards was a
voluminous writer. Anyone who has simply read portions of the
Banner of Truth edition of his works knows this. That means there
is a lot of work to be done. Even Yale University Press is
currently producing the rest of his writings and sermons in book form,
and is currently at volume 22!
May Christ bless you as
you read and study. May Edwards help you to have high thoughts of
God.
CMM
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