Jonathan Edwards

A New Biography

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Weight 1.64 lbs
Dimensions 8.8 × 5.75 × 1.4 in
ISBN 9780851514949
Topic

18th Century, Pastoral Biography

Page Count

503

Banner Pub Date

Jan 1, 1987

Original Pub Date

1987

Binding

Cloth-bound

Format

Book

ISBN

9780851514949

ENDORSEMENTS

‘No man is more relevant to the present conditions of Christianity than Jonathan Edwards…He was a mighty theologian and a great evangelist at the same time. If you want to know anything about true revival, Edwards is the man to consult. My advice is, read Jonathan Edwards. Go back to something solid and deep and real’. — D. MARTYN LLOYD-JONES

‘A fascinating insight into someone who is still considered America’s greatest theologian philosopher. God used him astonishingly, and what Iain Murray does is to bring out the history of the period, which is just a compelling history – the evocation of the times is very real, and Iain writes history as no one else. But you’re introduced to Edwards the preacher, and Edwards the theologian. I remember reading this for the first time, and just couldn’t put it down. He was an astonishing man. It’s a tremendous read.’ — IAN HAMILTON

Book Description

When it first appeared in 1987, this book was the first full-length life of Jonathan Edwards to appear for almost fifty years. In the meantime the Pastor of Northampton, Missionary to the Indians in Stockbridge, and President of the New Jersey College (later Princeton) has been increasingly recognized as the greatest intellectual figure in eighteenth-century America.

Never before has so much material by Edwards or such detailed studies of his thought been available. Yet many of those who have led this renaissance of Edwards studies remain personally out of sympathy with almost every one of their subject’s personal convictions.

Special interest therefore attaches to Iain H. Murrary’s carefully-researched biography. Writing with the easy style, spiritual insight and sympathy with his subject which marks his other biographical works, Murray builds on the older lives of Edwards, but also harvests material from more recent studies.

Iain Murray believes that Edwards cannot be understood apart from his faith. Only when seen first and foremost as a Christian do his life and writings make sense. The integrity of this interpretation is confirmed in this study as Edwards is allowed on point after point to speak for himself.

The result is a biography which is both factually and theologically reliable. Edwards’ theology is set in the context of his everyday life in public and private. His family relationships punctuate the narrative, adding both interest and pathos. This outstanding study is not only an exceptional biography; it also serves as a classic illustration of how the church today can and should learn from its past history.

Table of Contents Expand ↓

Preface xi
Introduction: On Understanding Edwards xix
1 The Son of East Windsor 1
2 ‘That New Sense of Things’ 23
3 New York: The Pursuit of Holiness 39
4 Tutor at Yale 57
5 Stoddard and Northampton 75
6 The Green Valley of Humiliation 97
7 The Breaking of the Spirit of Slumber 113
8 ‘Thirteen Hours, Every Day’ 135
9 The Great Awakening 153
10 Personal Portraits 177
11 Division and Disorder 201
12 The Defence of Experimental Religion 231
13 ‘The Religious Affections’ 249
14 Changes at Northampton and Beyond 269
15 The International Union and Missionary Vision 289
16 The Communion Controversy 311
17 Behind the Controversy 331
18 Removal 351
19 Strife in a Frontier Village 371
20 Missionary to the Indians 385
21 Through Esther’s Eyes 399
22 ‘My God Lives’ 421
23 The Continuing Ministry 443
APPENDICES
1: Edwards’ Published Writings
(a) During his Lifetime 475
(b) Major Posthumous Publications 478
(c) Collected Works 479
2: The Edwards’ Manuscripts 481
3: A Letter of Sarah Edwards, 1750 485
4: An Anecdote on Whitefield and ‘the Witness of the Holy Spirit’ 489
Index 491

 

Reviews

2 testimonials for Jonathan Edwards

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  1. Robert Norman

    This is one of my favorite biographies. About two years ago a godly man passed into glory and I was blessed to receive a number of volumes from his library. Many of the books given to me were biographies, which initially disappointed me, however, after having picked up Iain Murray’s biography on Jonathan Edwards to read from that set of books in order to honor the gift given to me I found that I couldn’t put it down. After this a desire to read more biographies was stirred up in me and I haven’t stopped reading biographies since.

  2. Ben Franklin

    This is another of Iain Murray’s great biographies in the service of the church. While I cannot say it is better than Marsden’s famous work on Edwards (neither am I saying it is not as good), it may be the more helpful of the two books for preachers. Certainly, a man of Edwards’s abilities is intimidating, but this biography shapes his story to speak encouragement and inspiration to all who share his vocation—and to any follower of Christ. Like much of Edwards’s writing, it leaves one with the desire to know more of this God that he loved with all of his mind and heart and whose glory he sought in all things.

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