Archive for the 'Jonathan Edwards' Category

Your chance to be introduced to the greatest theologian in the history of North America

Published on July 27, 2010 in Jonathan Edwards and Recommended Reading. 0 Comments

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For a very limited time, you can order an excellent introduction to Jonathan Edwards at 50% off.  Click here. 

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A few years ago, I mentioned in a sermon that Jonathan Edwards was the greatest theologian in the history of North America.

I added that given that the historic roots of our church are in New England Congregationalism, this should be of particular interest to our church.

As soon as church was over, someone approached me with an interest in reading Edwards.  And, at that point, I hesitated.  It was ironic.  The guy who had just recommended that our people should know about Edwards paused before recommending a particular book.

My reason for hesitation was that I knew the lady had not read very much theology.  And, I also understood that Edwards can be hard to follow.  I was concerned that if she ordered something like Religious Affections, that she would quickly be overwhelmed.

Thankfully, my answer would now be different. Owen Strachan and Doug Sweeney have edited an accessible and affordable set of books that will introduce you to the thought of Edwards in a way that is far more accessible than diving directly into one of his books.

Do keep in mind that this sale ends on Monday, August 2.

Mike Wittmer with summary points about America’s greatest theologian

Published on April 12, 2010 in Jonathan Edwards. 0 Comments

Jonathan Edwards was the greatest theologian in the history of North America.  So far as I am aware, this is a point beyond dispute.  If you don’t know much about Edwards (and even if you do), then you will benefit from reading Mike Wittmer’s summary points.

Last week I made the time to carefully read through George Marsden’s magisterial biography, Jonathan Edwards: A Life This is an important book for pastors, especially those in America.  It seems important to know the finest pastor-theologian that our country has ever produced.  At risk of oversimplifying an engrossing 500 page story, here in random order are a few things that we can learn from and about Edwards.  Nate Archer recently took a doctoral class from Marsden on Edwards, so Nate, if you’re around, feel free to chime in.

1. Edwards died from a smallpox vaccination which he received when he became the president of Princeton.  So there you have it—America’s greatest theologian, killed by Wellness Week.

2. Edwards was frugal.  He wrote his indecipherably small script on the front and back of receipts and other scraps of paper.  Edwards didn’t believe in wasting things, and he would probably approve of me and my old CRX.

3. Edwards always had scraps of paper with him so he could jot ideas down as they came to him and then pin them to his clothes.  When he came home from a ride on his horse he would unpin his notes and organize them.  He would have gone nuts with post-its.

4. Edwards was a perfectionist who probably wouldn’t have been too much fun to have around.  He was better than you and he wasn’t shy about letting you know it.  He was willing to die on principle, which is admirable but also got him fired.

Read the rest here.