Engaging with Edwards

[alexanderjames]

Jonathan Edwards' reputation shines among reformed friends. He had a towering intellect and deep spirituality. He is not however without considerable theological quirks, like his apparent panentheism and view of continuous creation.

Kyle Strobel and Oliver Crisp's 'Introduction to His Thought' (2018) is challenging but very insightful. As I work through this volume, and Iain Murray's biography, I wonder where is a good place to seriously engage with his thought directly. Taking the advice of others, like R.C. Sproul, I have already read a number of his sermons, notably those from the collection in Don Kistler's edited volume 'Altogether Lovely'.

Where could aspiring Edwards scholars be directed from here? Freedom the will? Religious affections? Please let me know your thoughts.

Thank you!

 

[RamistThomist]

Jonathan Edwards' reputation shines among reformed friends. He had a towering intellect and deep spirituality. He is not however without considerable theological quirks, like his apparent panentheism and view of continuous creation.

Kyle Strobel and Oliver Crisp's 'Introduction to His Thought' (2018) is challenging but very insightful. As I work through this volume, and Iain Murray's biography, I wonder where is a good place to seriously engage with his thought directly. Taking the advice of others, like R.C. Sproul, I have already read a number of his sermons, notably those from the collection in Don Kistler's edited volume 'Altogether Lovely'.

Where could aspiring Edwards scholars be directed from here? Freedom the will? Religious affections? Please let me know your thoughts.

Thank you!

Make sure you read Marsden's bio. Murray's is great, but Marsden does a better job with the context and with Edwards' larger intellectual project. I'd start with Religious Affections. You might want to look at Sam Storms' book on it. Affections is a technical term and sometimes the legacy of the YRR (not saying you are one) misses the boat on what Edwards was getting at.

 

[paranymph]

I agree on Marsden. There's also this, A Jonathan Edwards Reader:

A Jonathan Edwards Reader (Yale Nota Bene): Edwards, Jonathan, Smith, John E., Stout, Harry S., Minkema, Kenneth P.: 9780300098389: Amazon.com: Books

A Jonathan Edwards Reader (Yale Nota Bene) [Edwards, Jonathan, Smith, John E., Stout, Harry S., Minkema, Kenneth P.] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. A Jonathan Edwards Reader (Yale Nota Bene)

www.amazon.com

 

[davejonescue]

I believe Yale has a Jonathan Edwards Center online open to the public. I believe they have post all 60+ volumes of his works plus unpublished manuscripts. Dont know if it can be of some use.

 

[Solparvus]

Look up Matthew Everhard. He did his D.Min on Jonathan Edwards, and he teaches a Jonathan Edwards class at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. It was one of my very favorite classes.

 

[Deleted member 12431]

When I first read Edwards I jumped right into his "Freedom of the Will". I was a philosophy major in college so I was not unaccustomed to discourse like that. For a less imposing start, I'd recommend his "Charity and its Fruits". Reading Edwards can be so intellectually satisfying because of the unusual rigor he writes with. Agree with his methodology/conclusions or no, I always find his works to be a great sharpener when my mind feels a little dull.

 

[RamistThomist]

If you are going to read Charity and its Fruits, get the Crossway edition edited by Kyle Strobel. The Banner edition supposedly was edited by Edwards' descendant and is missing some of Edwards' discussion of infused virtues.

 

[Stephen L Smith]

Look up Matthew Everhard. He did his D.Min on Jonathan Edwards

I also enjoy Everhard on Edwards. He includes his key lectures on his YouTube page.

Jonathan Edwards

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[jwright82]

https://www.amazon.com/God-Entranced-Vision-All-Things/dp/1581345631/ref=asc_df_1581345631?mcid=9dce6c04cf633891860125bd1282de8c&hvocijid=14081006816880583709-1581345631-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14081006816880583709&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9051573&hvtargid=pla-2281435177578&psc=1

This is a fantastic book of essays on him.

Jonathan Edwards: A Guided Tour of His Life and Thought 9780875521947 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Jonathan Edwards: A Guided Tour of His Life and Thought at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Also an amazing book on him, every book I've read in this series is amazing.

https://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Jonathan-Edwards-Evangelical-Tradition/dp/0801026229

This book is the most scholarly one on him but all three provide essays that orient his thought to make it easier to navigate.

 

[RamistThomist]

https://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Jonathan-Edwards-Evangelical-Tradition/dp/0801026229
This book is the most scholarly one on him but all three provide essays that orient his thought to make it easier to navigate.

Lucas's essay evaluates Dabney's criticism of Edwards, "He cuts up Edwardsism by the roots."

 

[J.L. Allen]

Lucas's essay evaluates Dabney's criticism of Edwards, "He cuts up Edwardsism by the roots."

J. L. Girardeau addresses Edwards' view of will.

The Will in Its Theological Relations (Girardeau)

Puritan and Reformed books at discounted prices.

www.heritagebooks.org

 

[CasualWestminsterEnjoyer]

Jonathan Edwards' reputation shines among reformed friends. He had a towering intellect and deep spirituality. He is not however without considerable theological quirks, like his apparent panentheism and view of continuous creation.

He did not teach panentheism or continuous creation. We discussed this in a recent thread.

The Edwards scholars are off here. "Their much learning is turning them mad."

 

[alexanderjames]

He did not teach panentheism or continuous creation. We discussed this in a recent thread.

The Edwards scholars are off here. "Their much learning is turning them mad."

Thanks for referring to this recent thread. Kyle Strobel does not share the same views of his co-author Crisp with regards to charging Edwards with panentheism but Strobel maintains that Edwards erred with his "continuous creation", discussed here at the end (46:30 minute mark) - https://redcircle.com/shows/the-london-lyceum4672/ep/1858ab8f-2b39-4e3e-ad46-8095361f7090

I appreciate you sharing your disagreement.

 

[Solparvus]

I also enjoy Everhard on Edwards. He includes his key lectures on his YouTube page.

Jonathan Edwards

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

youtube.com

Everhard teaches in one of the videos how to do a commonplace or "miscellanies" journal as Edwards did. That's been a fruitful practice.

Just listened to the one on the millennium. He predicted a time when people would be able to instantaneously communicate across the world.

Like what we're doing right now.

 

[Stephen L Smith]

Everhard teaches in one of the videos how to do a commonplace or "miscellanies" journal as Edwards did. That's been a fruitful practice.

Dr Everhard had just published a new edition of his book "Jonathan Edwards on joy". In part two he has some helpful essays on Edwards Miscellanies journal, how he organised his journals and other writings. A great book.

Everhard also contributed to the Jonathan Edwards Encyclopedia.

Like what we're doing right now.

Indeed

 

[Stephen L Smith]

Moderator note:
I opened this thread because a member wants to post more relevant information.

 

[CasualWestminsterEnjoyer]

Moderator note:
I opened this thread because a member wants to post more relevant information.

 

[alexanderjames]

Thanks Stephen.
I just wanted to share this article which may be of interest or worth discussing, especially given @Charles Johnson's previous comment.

Jonathan Edwards Studies is at a Dead End - The London Lyceum

This is not an article on Jonathan Edwards’ culpability as a slaveholder. Nor is this article about all of Edwards scholarship—studies on Edwards’ exegesis and pastoral ministry are, by and large, still going strong. However, a series of factors over the last few years have conspired to severely...

thelondonlyceum.com