Book Description
Jonathan Edwards, a leader in the Great Awakening during the eighteenth century, still has much to teach the church. Evangelicals are rediscovering him through the efforts of several authors (John Gerstner, Iain Murray, Harry Stout, and others) and publishers (Banner of Truth, Soli Deo Gloria, and Crossway).

Stephen Nichols offers Jonathan Edwards "as an introduction, a gateway into the vast and rewarding life, thought, and writings of Jonathan Edwards." He intends it for anyone who wants to read Edwards but who needs a little help. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great Entry-Level Introduction
Jonathan Edwards: A Guided Tour of His Life and Thought by Stephen J. Nicholas was at the same time excellent and disappointing. The disappointment was my fault and in no way reflects upon the book or the author, for I had begun reading it with unfair expectations. I had not read the cover carefully and thus I thought I was buying a short biography of Edwards and that is not what this book is. After I came to realize what the book was intended to be, I enjoyed it thoroughly. And in this way it was excellent. Despite not being a biography it contained all sorts of great information about Edwards and about the events and writings that shaped his life. It is, as it says in the title, a guided tour to his life and thoughts more than a chronological ordering of the events of his life. More than a biography, this is a gateway into the thoughts, writings and theology of this great man of God.

In the introduction Nichols writes that the book "is not an end in itself; it is not a substitute for reading Edwards. It is intended to help anyone who, like me, has wanted to read Edwards and even has tried to read him, but needs a little help." It might also be said that this book is not a substitute for reading a thorough biography of the man. Later Nicholas says "My hope is that this book will help you to see the relevance and importance of Edward's thought and that through these pages Edwards will help you, as he has helped so many others, to better understand God, his Word, his work in this world, and your place in it." In this regard, the book and the author succeed admirably.

The format of the book is as follows. It is divided into four sections. The first section, comprising two chapters is dedicated to a short overview of his life, from his upbringing in a Christian home to his untimely death from a failed smallpox innoculation. The following three parts, each comprised of three or four chapters, examine his writings and sermons. Part two examines his writings on revival and church life, part three his writings on theology and philosophy and part four several of his sermons. Each is presented in the appropriate historical context and is examined in light of the impact it had in his day and in its ongoing relevance to the church today.

This book is a solid entry-level introduction to Jonathan Edwards, and in particular, to his contribution to Christian thought and theology. I give it my recommendation, not as an alternative to his writings or biographies, but, as it was meant to be, a supplement.

Excellent Book on a Great Man of God!
Nichols has written an excellent book on the ministry of Jonathan Edwards and will enlighten the reader on how a godly many Edwards really was.

While the book delves somewhat into his personal life, the majority of the text involves his writings on revival, church life, theology, and philosophy.

While I would recommend Iain Murray's book on Edwards for more personal information on the man, I still recommend Nichols' book on what Edwards thought.

An excellent read for knowing more about one of America's greatest theologians!

Highly recommended!

A First...
This is an excellent book on the life of Jonathan Edwards. Dr. Nichols did an incredible job of depicting his life and thought...reflecting on what it was to be one of the most influential theologians ever! ... Read more

Book Description
In this collection of writings drawn from Jonathan Edwards's essays and topical notebooks, the great American theologian deals with key Christian doctrines including the Trinity, grace, and faith. The volume includes long-established pieces in the Edwards canon, newly reedited from the original manuscripts, as well as documents that have never before been published and that in some cases reveal new aspects of his theology. ... Read more

Book Description
Jonathan Edwards achieved the greatest sustained mastery of thesermon form between January 1734 and December 1738, a time in which he also kindledhis first revival. The Northampton revival spread to neighboring towns and villages, asdid Edwards's renown.And the sermons of these years exhibit not only splendid rhetoricbut also figural intricacies and tonal nuances that reveal his maturity as a writer.Duringthis period Edwards delivered probably four hundred sermons and lectures. Of the fewerthan half that survive, some extend the reach of the previous dozen years of his ministry,others engage speculative theological issues, others touch on pastoral life, and still othersdeal with conversion and, in time, declension. Edwards also wrote a full account of theNorthampton revival, A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God, which waspublished in 1737 in London and Edinburgh and within a year was reprinted there, issuedin Boston in three printings, and translated into German. In addition, near the end of theperiod Edwards put together Discourses on Various Important Subjects, five sermonsabout the Awakening and the only gathering of sermons he saw through the press. ... Read more

Book Description
Echoes of "The Great Awakening"

Jonathan Edwards is primarily remembered today as a gifted and influential theologian. But in eighteenth-century America, his preaching resounded from pulpits throughout New England, sparking the flame of revival that became the "Great Awakening." As the fame of this Puritan pastor and preacher of revival spread far and wide, his sermons galvanized many of his listeners into reexamining their lives and faith.

Ever alert to the dangers of the religiously complacent—those who only observed the surface requirements of religion—Edwards tirelessly proclaimed the overpowering majesty and grandeur of God, and humanity's hopelessness for moral improvement short of his grace. This stirring selection of 20 messages allows readers to experience the words that swept through this young nation with a message of repentance and a call to action. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Internal security
Jonathan Edwards does not provide for an easy read. I feel reading another group of sermons provided by Jonathan Edwards would be time better spent. In these sermons Jonathan Edwards tries to make the argument that a Christian needs to strive for a closer walk with God. My problem is that he does not remember the believer may be saved and sanctified, but not yet in his more perfect form as he will when he is in heaven. I agree to be saved one most accept Jesus as both Savior and Lord. If one does not believe in the Lord part, what does one to be saved from. This would ultimately mean a change of thought and behavior of the repented.But what is to made out of the behavior of the believer that is contrary to Gods will?

Sermons Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God
Justice of God in the Damnation

These two sermons bring out argument and thought that is lacking in today's pulpit. About man's unregenerate state and his deserving of Hell. He also has one sermon arguing how Christians follow Paul's example and another sermons to how the Christian is to follow Jesus example. Useful sermons indeed. The three Sermons I question are:

(1)Pressing into the Kingdom of God
(2)The Manner in which the Salvation of the Soul is to be sought
(3)Hypocrites deficient in the duty of Prayer

These sermons seem to works oriented.

The two most interesting Sermons are the eulogy of David Brainard titled True Saints, When absent From the Body Present With The Lord and a farewell sermon when he departed from North Hampton Church. In these two sermons are arguments for what a minister should be and how the local body of Christ is to be made up of repentant sinners.

To bad he does not leave room for failure in the Christian walk. ... Read more

Book Description
Examining the theological ethics of Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), William Danaher shows that Edwards's doctrine of the Trinity both was foundational to Edwards's thought and is the necessary framework for understanding the theological and moral vision expressed in his writings. This Trinitarian interpretation identifies what distinctive contribution Edwards makes to contemporary Christian ethics, particularly concerning the nature of virtue, the will, sin, evil, and love. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Treasure
Like an oarsman on a long row, Danaher uses intense, sustained effort, efficient strokes and deep reflection to bring Jonathan Edwards ashore in the 21st Century.Edwards' insightful witness to God as a Trinity of persons has profound implications for our own behavior.

Essential for seeking understanding of Trinitarian ethics
With this book, Danaher deftly explores and mines the riches of Edwards' contribution to Trinitarian ethics.One only hopes to read more from this talented author. ... Read more

Book Description
The most significant scholarly conference marking the Edwards tercentenary took place in October 2003 at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The papers from that gathering are presented in this volume. They represent much of the best and most recent work being done on Edwards and reflect the wide diversity of approaches to his life, thought, and legacy. ... Read more

Book Description

America is gripped in an ongoing war that has divided our nation over issues of sexual morality, the relation between church and state, the collapse of the family unit, the emergence of a drug culture, and a radical change in the customs of polite speech. Because of this cultural war, America desperately needs revival.

Customer Reviews (2)

1 James 4:1
The Spirit of Revival

Many times one may hear is this of God or by mere man. In this work Jonathan Edwards discusses how one may know ifa revival is from God or the construction of man. What is from the Holy Spirit and what does not come from the Holy Spirit. Through arguments and reasoning he urges the believer to explore whether a revival is a true Revival of God's church or just human activity.Pastor Edwards elaborates how human emotional expression and the body physically reactingGod's word preached/shared may be the result of the Holy Spirit working within the individual; He also argues that emotional expression and bodily reaction is not conclusive proof it is the work of God.

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.(1 John 4:1 AV)


Jonathan Edwards argues every spirit should be tested. He does not argue the response has to be miraculous. Just because the reaction could occur without supernatural response does not mean the Holy Spirit has not intervened. God uses ordinary means to build His kingdom and the Holy Spirit leads the Christian in sharing God's word and to serve God. The Holy Spirit also leads the follower of Christ to respond emotionally. Rarely does the Holy Spirit use people to do God's miracles. The Holy Spirit commonly uses less spectacular methods. Erwin Lutzer's book titled Seven Convincing Miraclesgoes into greater detail about this.

So how does the Christian discern whether a revival is from God? Emotional reaction and physical response is worthy praise to God. But to some individuals may be ends to their own: a type of entertainment. Edwards asks whether the reaction is in response to God's word preached?Is the Gospel of Jesus Christ being preached? To elaborate, is man's sinfulness expressed, do people learn about Jesus not sinning when living as man on this earth, do people hear about the suffering of Jesus, do people hear Jesus dying on the cross and on the third day raising from dead? Do people know they are sinners and only through Jesus can they avoid spiritual death?


Jonathan Edwards continues to argue that a sign of the Holy Spirit is whether the Bible is preached and shared. Included in this is whether people seek to be obedient to the Word of God. Co-author Archie Parrish tries to elaborate after the words of Jonathan Edwards are finished; Parrish's words do not seem to express continuity. Sproul's chapter before the message by Edwards will help the reader to comprehend the Jonathan Edwards' message.Arguments in how to use the book to bring revival to your own church are unconvincing.

There is yet still hope
This book is similar to Piper's God's Passion for His Glory in that iit contians a commentary on Edwards and tthe text of one of Edwards' books (although this book is an infinitely easier read than Piper's.Sproul and Parrish do a fantastic job in the introduction where they give the background to the state of revival inNew Engalnd.At the end of the book are exercises for those who would like to prepare for revival

The text of Edwards, Concerning the marks of the Spirit of God is much easier to read than his other works (although Sproul modernizes the text--this probably a good thing for many of Edwards' sentences would go on for pages).I would recommend this book for the challenge it offers Bible Believers (who else could be involved in a revival?) as they pray for revival.May God raise up another Edwards to combat the secularist, charismatic, postmodern onslought facing our churches! ... Read more

Book Description
To read Jonathan Edwards is to meet a flood of pure and overwhelming passion--passion for Christ, for people's souls, for godliness, for revival, for truth. You may remember reading Jonathan Edwards's fiery sermons in school. Yet his challenge--and passion--goes well beyond mere rhetoric. InA Quest for Godliness J. I. Packer describes how Edwards "uncoils a length of reasoning with a slow, smooth exactness that is almost hypnotic in its power to rivet attention on the successive folds of truth sliding out into view."As you work through Dale and Sandy Larsen's Christian Classic Bible Study based on Edwards's thought and teaching, you'll have the opportunity to grapple with Scripture and rekindle your own passion for God. ... Read more

Book Description
Echoes of "The Great Awakening"

Jonathan Edwards is primarily remembered today as a gifted and influential theologian. But in eighteenth-century America, his preaching resounded from pulpits throughout New England, sparking the flame of revival that became the "Great Awakening." As the fame of this Puritan pastor and preacher of revival spread far and wide, his sermons galvanized many of his listeners into reexamining their lives and faith.

Ever alert to the dangers of the religiously complacent—those who only observed the surface requirements of religion—Edwards tirelessly proclaimed the overpowering majesty and grandeur of God, and humanity's hopelessness for moral improvement short of his grace. This stirring selection of 20 messages allows readers to experience the words that swept through this young nation with a message of repentance and a call to action. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Internal security
Jonathan Edwards does not provide for an easy read. I feel reading another group of sermons provided by Jonathan Edwards would be time better spent. In these sermons Jonathan Edwards tries to make the argument that a Christian needs to strive for a closer walk with God. My problem is that he does not remember the believer may be saved and sanctified, but not yet in his more perfect form as he will when he is in heaven. I agree to be saved one most accept Jesus as both Savior and Lord. If one does not believe in the Lord part, what does one to be saved from. This would ultimately mean a change of thought and behavior of the repented.But what is to made out of the behavior of the believer that is contrary to Gods will?

Sermons Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God
Justice of God in the Damnation

These two sermons bring out argument and thought that is lacking in today's pulpit. About man's unregenerate state and his deserving of Hell. He also has one sermon arguing how Christians follow Paul's example and another sermons to how the Christian is to follow Jesus example. Useful sermons indeed. The three Sermons I question are:

(1)Pressing into the Kingdom of God
(2)The Manner in which the Salvation of the Soul is to be sought
(3)Hypocrites deficient in the duty of Prayer

These sermons seem to works oriented.

The two most interesting Sermons are the eulogy of David Brainard titled True Saints, When absent From the Body Present With The Lord and a farewell sermon when he departed from North Hampton Church. In these two sermons are arguments for what a minister should be and how the local body of Christ is to be made up of repentant sinners.

To bad he does not leave room for failure in the Christian walk. ... Read more

Book Description
Long recognized as 'America's theologian', Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) is seen as instrumental in the Great Awakening of the 1740s that gripped much of New England and that laid the groundwork for an American Protestant religious identity. This Cambridge Companion offers a general, comprehensive introduction to Jonathan Edwards and examines his life and works from various disciplinary perspectives including history, literature, theology, religious studies, and philosophy. The book consists of seventeen chapters written by leading religious scholars, historians and literary critics on Edwards' life, work, and legacy. The Companion will be an invaluable aid to teachers and scholars and will be imminently accessible to those just encountering Edwards for the first time. ... Read more

Book Description
Those who remember Jonathan Edwards (1703--1758) only for his sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" overlook his many and varied contributions to American church history. A man of powerful intellect, Edwards is credited with instigating America's first Great Awakening. Beginning in 1734, six sudden conversions in his parish turned into a flood of thirty per week, ultimately drawing people from up to a hundred miles away. In addition to preaching, Edwards also wrote several books, including Treatise on Religious Affections, served as a missionary to Native American tribes, and was briefly president of the College of New Jersey (later Princeton). He died at age fifty-four after receiving a smallpox inoculation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Fascinating and Succinct Biography on the Puritan Divine
~Jonathan, Edwards: The Great Awakener (Heroes of the Faith)~ an intriguing, albeit succinct, biographical sketch of the great Puritan evangelist Jonathan Edwards who inaugurated the Great Awakening with his sovereign grace preaching. The author captures his early childhood and his gradual cognizance and acceptance of the sovereignty of God, particularly in our redemption. It is fairly objective and features selections from his writings, though academic readers might prefer the larger tome on Edwards by George Marsden. The Heroes of Faith series features biographies of other Sovereign Grace preachers such as C.H. Spurgeon, George Whitefield and John Bunyan, though I haven't looked at them. It features an appendix with a copy of his most famous and powerful sermon, ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Two first-rate minds confront each other
Jonathan Edwards was without a doubt the greatest theologian America ever produced.That he was also without a doubt the greatest philosopher colonial America ever produced shows what theology was once upon a time inAmerica.Obsessed with returning American churches to its more devoutCalvinist roots, Edwards began the Great Awakening in America, only to findhimself cast out of his own pulpit for daring to challenge the social orderof his church.Edwards deeply investigated the concept of free will,reconciling it as no other theologian had with the doctrines ofpredestination and divine omnipotence.But Edwards was also a figure ofthe Enlightenment, and applied Locke's rationalist doctrine of the sensesto his preaching style, creating almost singlehandedly thefire-and-brimstone approach used to this day to terrify poor sinners intorepentance.Perry Miller, the twentieth century's most dominant Americanintellectual historian, here explicates the life of Jonathan Edwards as noone has before or since: on the merit of his ideas.Miller was an atheistwho spent his life studying American religious movements; this was one ofhis finest works.Not to be missed by anyone interested in the history ofAmerican religion or philosophy. ... Read more

Product Description
1660 pages ... Read more

Book Description

This book highlights the messages of the great Christian author, Jonathan Edwards. The language has been gently modernized for greater relevance to contemporary times, but none of the spiritual substance has been diluted. These will be tremendous additions to any Christian library! The material is profound, thought-provoking, and life-changing but easy to follow. These books are perfect for Christians who want to dig deeper and be challenged to expand their faith.

Customer Reviews (2)

Satisfied
This Bible is awesome when you are a student of the text of this early rendition of the Bible.Jonathan Edwards is a marvel of a man that this century does not have the benefit of regarding scholarship of the scripture.So many translations confuse but this is excellent for study and reading.I highly recommend the Blank Bible.

A Much Anticipated Release
Following the 300th anniversary of Edwards, the popularity of John Piper and Christian Hedonism and a resurgence of Edwards scholars, the great American theologian may now be more popular than ever.Yale has been working on publishing the definitive Edwards collection from their vast collection of his original manuscripts and through tedious effort have produced a fine volume in "The Blank Bible."

We have all read Edwards sermons, and many of us have plowed through his other works, but to search and find his notes on each individual text of Scripture is enthralling to the fan of Edwards.His vision of the glory of God pours through these pages.Furthermore, through reading the notes you see the mind of America's greatest theologian in its most raw form.This volume is highly recommended. ... Read more

Book Description

Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) was a pastor and theologian in colonial America who preached with zeal and theological insight, placing great emphasis on the impact that preaching could have on its listeners. Widely recognized as one of America’s foremost thinkers, he is probably best known for his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” which demonstrates his central concern for the salvation of souls. Indeed, Edwards believed that all ministers were on a “divine errand” to offer the Gospel to sinners.

Customer Reviews (4)

Convicting. Moving.
Jonathan Edwards preached this series of discourses on I Corinthians 13 in 1738 to his congregation in Northampton. These sermons, sixteen lectures in all, give great insight into the regular pastoral preaching of Edwards and show how gifted he was as an expositor of Scripture. They are full of both doctrinal propositions and practical instruction. They explain the text and also apply it. Edwards' aim was to show how Christian love is manifested in the heart and life of a true believer. His sermons follow the typical Puritan style of preaching, giving "doctrine" and application.

The first lecture seeks to prove that "all the virtue that is saving, and that distinguishes true Christians from others, is summed up in Christian love." In this sermon, Edwards' familiarity with the breadth of Scripture is plainly evident. The second and third sermons seek to more fully expound the first three verses of I Corinthians 13 in which Edwards explains how love is more excellent than the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit and that anything which is suffered in the way of duty is vain if not permeated with love.

Lectures four through fourteen focus on the fifteen characteristics of love as described in verses four through seven of I Corinthians 13. Edwards' pastoral concerns are most evident here as he labors to show how love will be longsuffering, kind, unselfish, etc. Edwards' penetrating application lays bare the human heart in ways that I have rarely seen in other sermons.

The final two sermons deal with the last paragraph of I Corinthians 13 and are more theological in nature as Edwards contends that the Holy Spirit will forever be given to the saints in love and that Heaven will be a world full of love. Edwards' view of heaven and hell are described with poignant detail in this last sermon, which is one of the most beautiful and insightful treatises on heaven that I have ever read. Like all of Edwards' writings, Charity and Its Fruits is full of theological acumen, philosophical insight, and pastoral concern.

The Kindness and Severity of God
Jonathan Edwards is still considered by many to be the greatest theologian America has ever produced.He is also a preacher that does not mince words, does not tell anecdotes, does not try to connect with the audience.In short, he sees himself in God's service, commissioned to spread His Word accurately and clearly, and I might add, eloquently.

Edwards had a chance to practice what he preached after he wrote this book, and was kicked-out of his church.He refused to serve communion to those he considered to be non-believers. His biography (another book) reveals his long-suffering and forbearance with what seemed like grossly unfair treatment he received. I was really impressed with his evenness during this very trying period.

'Charity and its Fruits' is a series of sermons Edwards did on the 'Love Chapter' of 1st Corrinthians 13, while pastoring Northampton Church in Northampton, Massachusetts.He goes through each phrase and winnows it down to what it really means for you and me. He is unsparing in his expositions, giving you both the good news and the bad news, what you need to seek after, and what you need to wrestle with, alternating between being encouraging and being convicting.In the process, it is, in my view, as eloquent as anything you will read, short of the Scriptures themselves. The last chapter, which is about heaven, is easily some of the best prose I've ever been privileged to read; and it is all spiritual, with almost no physical references.

Brace yourself, but do yourself a favor, and read the book.

Must read for every (angry / hopeful) Christian
This book is amazing and truly inspired of the Holy Spirit.Mr. Edwards ability to decompose scripture and address every aspect of arguments as to what the scripture means and does not mean is a Godsend.If you have struggled with the verse "In your anger, do not sin.", this book will help you unpack that verse....what is righteous anger (and what are all the forms unrighteous anger takes) and what is a godly (and what are ungodly) response(s).The "old English" takes a bit of getting into, but the absolute structure of the logic and interpretation found there is worth the minimal effort of getting into the "swing" of it.The absolute prize at the end is the chapter on the "society of heaven" -- how it will make you yearn for heaven and as the Lord's prayer says to desire "Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven".I think that chapter alone would be a great comfort to someone who has lost a believing loved one. Buy it, read it, share it.

Musat read for every Calvanist!
Today one may hear a professing christian say that they "love Jesus'.Yet, Jesus said that our love for Him would be evident in the way we treat our neighbors.Even our enemies.This book will challenge every child of God to examine the way he or she lives in light of the great commandment, as well as Paul's teaching on 1 Cor 13. For, this book is a collection of sermons on the thirteenth chapter of Paul's letter to the Corinthians, often called the "love chapter".After reading this book, the reader may not go about flippintly using the word "love".For, in Edwards' sermons the reader learns the true meaning of the word often translated "charity" or "love".Especially to be savoured is the final sermon called "Heaven, a world of love". ... Read more