Puritan of the Week: Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

Of all the Puritan there may be none better known today than the last great voice of the puritan movement, Jonathan Edwards. Rather than my writing much I want to point to other writings and sermons. There are numerous resources that can be found, but I only want to list a few:

Desiring God Conference on Edwards (Piper had done so much to draw attention to the thoughts of Edwards, but I would draw great attention to the video by Ian Murray).

Ian Murray’s biography of Edwards

John Piper’s biography of Edwards

The Works of Jonathan Edwards

Some of his works can be read online

Edwards dedicated his life to exalting Christ. He saw difficult days and controversies, including times of depression, but also saw great revival in The Great Awakening. He left a legacy through his mission work to the indians. His children and grandchildren went on to become college presidents and influential citizens, and greatest many became citizens of the Kingdom of God.

Murray states in his address at the Desiring God Conference:

If you take eternity out of Jonathan Edwards life you could read it as a story of little success. What a disappointment. It said when he died most of the American papers only gave him one sentence, many of his books were not read. He left a great church for a tiny church in the corner of New England. Was it a failure? No. Edwards says, “I acted against all influence of worldly instrest because I greatly feared to offend God.” In other words he was living for eternity.

Murray goes on to state what Edwards would warn as the greatest danger facing the church today, pride. Ian Murray then went on to state the dangers of pride and sum up Edwards life:

“Pride is the greatest of all temptations and the most subtle…Ministers can idolize congregations, congregations can idolize ministers. Pride in any form destroys, mares the work of God. The scripture says, cease from man…Whatseoever you do, whether you eat or drink, do all to the glory of God…all is given that we might be humbled and that God would be all in all.