And punishes them with eternal suffering for doing what serves his glory and is necessary. There he wrote the book The Life of David Brainerd, a missionary who died in his home. I’m almost committing blasphemy by questioning Jonathan Edwards’ greatness. Where do God’s inclinations come from? In fact, Edwards seemed to deny the whole idea of “otherwise”–even in God. Without doubt, Edwards was a great man and deserves more and better respect than he gets in American public education. If they are determined by his wisdom and necessary for his glory, why would he abhore them? His preaching, which helped spark the First Great Awakening , emphasized man’s sin, God’s judgment, God’s sovereignty, the necessity of personal conversion, and justification by faith. Edwards… I can identify with Charles Finney who said of Edwards “The man I adore; his errors I deplore.” It seems to me that many of Edwards’ fans (especially among American evangelicals) are too quick to pass over the obvious logical flaws in his theology. Edwards claims a creature formed it; it arose from a creature’s (Lucifer’s and later Adam’s) own nature. Animal nature was often in a great emotion and agitation, and the soul so overcome with admiration, and a kind of omnipotent joy, as to cause the person, unavoidably to leap with all the might, with joy and mighty exultation (Jonathan Edwards, “Some Thoughts Concerning the Present Revival in New England,” in The Works of Jonathan Edwards, [1834; reprint, Banner of Truth, 1974], 1:376). First, though, let me step back from criticism of Edwards (and those who extol him too much or too loudly) and criticize what our American public school system curriculum has done to him. Edwards wanted to get God off the hook for being the author of sin and evil, but ultimately he couldn’t. The question that naturally arises is: from where did the first evil inclination come? Otherwise the world becomes necessary even for God which undermines grace.). And the fall becomes not only inevitable but necessary. On the other hand, he owned a slave, so he wasn’t consistent. Jonathan Edwards was the only son in a family of eleven children.He and his wife Sarah had eleven children of their own. If one says “from his nature,” then, with the denial of libertarian free will, God becomes a machine. – Michael Brown, FWS Podcast: Revival in the Old Testament. While there was at time tension between Jonathan Edwards and his father (e.g., over the preparationist view of conversion), the younger Edwards had a deep and abiding desire to love and honor his parents that was demonstrated throughout his life. He was unavoidably passionate about his own joy and delight and pleasure. Posted in Arminianism, Author of Sin, Calvinism, Compatibilism, Determinism, Edwards, Jonathan, Free Will, General, History, Hyper-Calvinism, Olson, Roger, Predestination, Providence, Sovereignty of God. He did not merely argue that libertarian free will as ability to do otherwise was lost in the fall; he argued that the very idea is incoherent. Edwards tried to resolve this by appealing to God’s larger and narrower views. I’ve taught college/university/seminary students for thirty years now and there’s one thing they (who attended public schools) agree on: they were misled about Edwards. This inevitably makes God the author of sin and evil (something Edwards reluctantly admitted) and makes sin and evil not really awful at all but necessary for the greater good. After he lost his pulpit in 1750, he was named pastor to the church in Stockbridge, Mass., and missionary to the Housatonic Indians. He told them to pay the Indians for the land they took from them and to treat them humanely. Edwards claims a creature formed it; it arose from a creature’s (Lucifer’s and later Adam’s) own nature. We think of his famous sermon that helped to spark the First Great Awakening – Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. Jenn Selby @JennSelby. But he insisted that God is not guilty of sin or evil because…God’s motive in rendering them certain was good. Without doubt, Edwards was a great man and deserves more and better respect than he gets in American public education. Toward the end of his relatively brief life, Edwards became president of what is now Princeton University (the College of New Jersey). I know. For his glory. Get an answer for 'How do you think that most people in Edwards's audience responded to his "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" speech?' What I like to tell students about Edwards is that he was harshly critical of New Englanders who stole land from the Native Americans. All of those ideas can perhaps be dismissed as the speculations of a mind obsessed with God’s greatness, glory and sovereignty. I’m only saying that he either didn’t seem to notice his own contradictions or he chose to overlook them while vehemently pointing out and condemning contradictions he thought he saw in Arminianism. While Jonathan Edwards has been crowned “America’s Theologian,” his successors in the early republic can rightly be called American theologians. For the original post with comments, go to: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/rogereolson/2012/07/why-is-jonathan-edwards-considered-so-great/#comments. Otherwise the world becomes necessary even for God which undermines grace.). And punishes them with eternal suffering for doing what serves his glory and is necessary. For his time, Edwards was progressive in some areas of social thinking. Far be it from me to impugn Edwards’ deserved reputation as a great Christian preacher and intellectual. Jonathan Edwards takes leap from faith: ‘I just stopped believing in God’ Olympic and world champion athlete on why he gave up on his religious faith. And he came very close to denying that God’s creation of the world was free in any libertarian sense as if God could have done otherwise. Now don’t anyone say “Only in this creation; not overall or in general.” That won’t work. But note well: the sweetest joys and delights that Edwards experienced did not arise from a hope that his “own good estate” would improve. That is to say that God withdrew or withheld the grace creatures needed not to sin. His own conversion and work of sanctification came through much struggle. Also, Edwards was an intellectual who stood head and shoulders above most of his peers. I wouldn’t be doing it except there seems to be a kind of cult of Edwards’ veneration–especially among American evangelicals. He was well read in Enlightenment philosophy and science and ahead of his peers in understanding human psychology and nature. Where do God’s inclinations come from? This is part 4 of an ongoing series 0n Accordance. Edwards’s physician, William Shippen, described the pastor’s posture on his deathbed as “cheerful resignation and patient submission to the divine will through every stage of his disease” [1] This attitude towards death was not a last-minute relinquishment, but a life-long resolution. God simply “left ’em to themselves” so that sin and evil followed inevitably or necessarily. He died of a smallpox vaccination gone wrong. Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world. Reports indicate that he read it or delivered it from memory in a calm voice (at least compared with the stereotypes of hell-fire and brimstone fundamentalist preachers). He was well read in Enlightenment philosophy and science and ahead of his peers in understanding human psychology and nature. We do not realize that Edwards had a great compassion to reach the lost for Christ especially those who haven’t had the opportunity to hear the gospel. Edwards wanted to get God off the hook for being the author of sin and evil, but ultimately he couldn’t. But things get much, much worse when Edwards deals with free will. The only thing most of them learned about Edwards in school was that he preached “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” They were led to picture him as a fire-breathing hell-fire preacher who denied the Lord’s Supper to parishioners he considered less than fully converted (viz., he was intolerant). Free will, according to him, only means doing what you want to do–following the strongest inclination provided to the will by the affections. On a Sabbath day in January 1758, Jonathan Edwards preached his farewell sermon to a band of Mohican and Mohawk Indians and to a handful of English families along the plains of the Housatonic River, snaking through the Berkshire Mountains on the western frontier of Massachusetts. It does not mean being able to do otherwise. For his glory. And what we see here is that though Edwards grew up in a pastor’s home, exposed to the Bible, he had his own objections to Christianity. Having said all that, I still do not understand why so many of his fans overlook or excuse Edwards’ very significant errors. George M. Marsden's biography of Jonathan Edwards seems certain to bring about a similar rethinking of the far more significant theologian, who might rightly be called the most important philosopher America has ever produced. God, too, is controlled by his strongest inclination/motive. And yet, Edwards insisted that God abhors sin and evil. This creation is necessary if God does not have libertarian free will which he cannot have if the concept itself is logically impossible (incoherent). This would scare a lot of people from the start. Please also opt me in for Exclusive Offers from Patheos’s Partners, A Sermon: "Grace Works" Philippians 2:12-13. God rendered the fall and all its horrible consequences inevitable or even necessary. He also asserted that God is space itself. https://www.learnreligions.com/jonathan-edwards-biography-701575 and find homework help for other Sinners in the Hands of Though John Wesley and Jonathan Edwards were born the same year (1703) and admired each other’s evangelistic work, the two men never met.Both were friends of George Whitefield and both emphasized the need for conversion and heartfelt religion. In attempting to pay God too many and too large metaphysical compliments, Edwards ends up chasing his tail and contradicting himself. But did Edwards write something that undermined his own and every classical (as opposed to revisionist) Calvinism? Now, let’s stop and examine this line of reasoning a bit. It does not mean being able to do otherwise. In fact, Edwards seemed to deny the whole idea of “otherwise”–even in God. Also, Edwards was an intellectual who stood head and shoulders above most of his peers. And it seeks to pioneer a new subfield in Edwards studies, providing students with the bibliography and historiographical pointers needed to follow me into the study of Edwards’s biblical exegesis (and the biblical interpretation of many of Edwards’s peers as well). Now Liberals Are Admitting They Manipulated... Did Jonathan Edwards Undermine Calvinism? It develops and defends a major argument about the importance of Scripture to Edwards. Jonathan Edwards - Colonial Clergyman of the Great Awakening By the way, so are you. Get updates from Roger E. Olson delivered straight to your inbox. It is speculative and dangerous. God, too, is controlled by his strongest inclination/motive. Now don’t anyone say “Only in this creation; not overall or in general.” That won’t work. It’s not limited to American evangelicals, of course. I wouldn’t be doing it except there seems to be a kind of cult of Edwards’ veneration–especially among American evangelicals. The only thing most of them learned about Edwards in school was that he preached “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” They were led to picture him as a fire-breathing hell-fire preacher who denied the Lord’s Supper to parishioners he considered less than fully converted (viz., he was intolerant). Edwards tried to resolve this by appealing to God’s larger and narrower views. (He said that God always does what is most wise, something with which few Christians would argue, but somehow one must admit the possibility that God might not have created at all. If that’s true, then we cannot attribute it to God, either. He has a miler's body. If that’s true, then we cannot attribute it to God, either. Far be it from me to impugn Edwards’ deserved reputation as a great Christian preacher and intellectual. Lutheran theologian Robert Jenson called Edwards “America’s Theologian.” New books are published every year about Edwards. He was well read in Enlightenment philosophy and science and ahead of his peers in understanding human psychology and nature. Lutheran theologian Robert Jenson called Edwards “America’s Theologian.” New books are published every year about Edwards. And he didn’t draw back from admitting that IN SOME SENSE God is the author of sin and evil. Is that the mark of a great mind? (See Edwards’ Treatise Concerning the End for Which God Created the World.) Jonathan David Edwards, CBE (born 10 May 1966) is a British former triple jumper.He is an Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European champion, and has held the world record in the event since 1995.. If they are determined by his wisdom and necessary for his glory, why would he abhore them? He died of a smallpox vaccination gone wrong. And why does God render sin and evil necessary? In attempting to pay God too many and too large metaphysical compliments, Edwards ends up chasing his tail and contradicting himself. Having said this, I hasten to add that this particular book is also an effort to change the way in which scholars think of Edwards and his historical significance. God rendered the fall and all its horrible consequences inevitable or even necessary. At home in Newcastle, near the northeast coast of England, his training partners chide him about his "woman's legs." This inevitably makes God the author of sin and evil (something Edwards reluctantly admitted) and makes sin and evil not really awful at all but necessary for the greater good. This creation is necessary if God does not have libertarian free will which he cannot have if the concept itself is logically impossible (incoherent). Free will, according to him, only means doing what you want to do–following the strongest inclination provided to the will by the affections. The current (or now immediately previous) issue of Christian Century contains a review of a newly published b00k extolling Edwards’ virtues as a great Christian and great thinker. February 9, 2021, Jon Gossman, No Comment, February 8, 2021, Martin Glynn, No Comment, February 5, 2021, Martin Glynn, No Comment, February 4, 2021, Remonstrance, No Comment, February 3, 2021, Jon Gossman, No Comment, Copyright © 2013  |  Not willing that any should perish, Richard Watson, “The New Birth” – Ed. Toward the end of his relatively brief life, Edwards became president of what is now Princeton University (the College of New Jersey). When his congregation expelled him from his pulpit (partly, at least, for that), he went off to the frontier and lived among the Indians. And yet, Edwards insisted that God abhors sin and evil. Need I go on making my case that Edwards’ theology contains massive flaws? Such was the impact of his preaching that the people listening shrieked and cried out, and the crying and weeping became so loud that Edwards was forced to discontinue the sermon. Edwards had come to Stockbridge from his pastorate in Northampton, a post he had held for twenty-three years. The Influence of Jonathan Edwards in the Early American Republic: Patriotism, Exceptionalism, and the Pursuit of Happiness. I think so. So, sin and evil are necessary and serve God’s glory. Is that the mark of a great mind? The book inspired thousands of missionaries throughout the 19th century. Edwards, contrary to what some have alleged, was undeniably a Christian Hedonist! For Edwards they are necessary for God’s full glorification. It’s not just that God brings good out of them. Why is Jonathan Edwards considered so great? by Vic Reasoner, Remonstrance: Minisode 33: Reflections on After Arminius (Part 2), Robert L. Brush, “A Biblical Concept of a Just God”, Fallacies of Calvinist Apologetics Series, Piper Theology Critique Series by StriderMTB, Question and Answer Series by Ben Henshaw, Seven Minute Seminary: “Wesleyan-Arminianism is a God-Centered, Not Human-Centered Theology”, VIDEO: Understanding Salvation with Bruxy and Nina Cavey, Video by Seth Miller: “Ask An Arminian: Total Depravity”, Video: Seven Minute Seminary: Larry Wood, “John Wesley’s Place in the Protestant Reformation”, Video by Seth Miller: “Ask An Arminian: My Story with Arminianism”, Roger Olson Video Lecture: “Calvinism Part IV: Final Evaluation of Calvinism”, Roger Olson Video Lecture: “Calvinism Part III: The Young, Restless, and Reformed Movement, Roger Olson Video Lecture: “Calvinism Part II: Tenets of Calvinism”, Roger Olson Video Lecture: “Calvinism Part I: History of Calvinism Among Baptists”, Is Everything that Happens God’s Will? I just think it’s overblown. He told them to pay the Indians for the land they took from them and to treat them humanely. Instead, the pastors went down among the people and prayed with them in groups. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Also, send me the Evangelical Newsletter and special offers. On this day in history, Jonathan Edwards started a sermon that he did not finish. Jonathan Edwards makes bold claims in his sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” He warns people of their condemnation, draws images of their bodies being held precariously over hell, and claims God will have no pity on them after it’s all over. Why? On the other hand, he owned a slave, so he wasn’t consistent. Edwards described it as an "uncommon union," and in a sermon on Genesis 2:21–25, he said, "When Adam rose from his deep sleep, God brought woman to him from near his heart." The church of Jesus Christ needs elders, not ministerial lone-stars. Most famously, perhaps, evangelical historian Mark Noll has often held up Edwards as THE paradigm of a great Christian intellectual whose example we should all follow. So, sin and evil are necessary and serve God’s glory. And he came very close to denying that God’s creation of the world was free in any libertarian sense as if God could have done otherwise. This time... Don't be meme! If one says “from his nature,” then, with the denial of libertarian free will, God becomes a machine. I can identify with Charles Finney who said of Edwards “The man I adore; his errors I deplore.” It seems to me that many of Edwards’ fans (especially among American evangelicals) are too quick to pass over the obvious logical flaws in his theology. (He said that God always does what is most wise, something with which few Christians would argue, but somehow one must admit the possibility that God might not have created at all. The question that naturally arises is: from where did the first evil inclination come? First, though, let me step back from criticism of Edwards (and those who extol him too much or too loudly) and criticize what our American public school system curriculum has done to him. Jonathan Edwards 2.0. It’s not just that God brings good out of them. But things get much, much worse when Edwards deals with free will. https://heidelblog.net/2020/12/why-caution-about-jonathan-edwards-is-in-order You might think, “Wait a minute. That goes far beyond garden variety creation ex nihilo or continuous creation. I just think it’s overblown. For Edwards they are necessary for God’s full glorification. That is to say that God withdrew or withheld the grace creatures needed not to sin. And yet, creatures are to blame for sinning even thought they could not do otherwise. I’m only saying that he either didn’t seem to notice his own contradictions or he chose to overlook them while vehemently pointing out and condemning contradictions he thought he saw in Arminianism. His delivery of sermons, including that one, was not loud or coercive. Also, send me the Evangelical Newsletter. All of those ideas can perhaps be dismissed as the speculations of a mind obsessed with God’s greatness, glory and sovereignty. He was well read in Enlightenment philosophy and science … For example (and here you will have to trust me or look at my chapter on Edwards in The Story of Christian Theology and my many allusions to him and his theology in Against Calvinism): Edwards argued that God’s sovereignty requires that he create the entire universe and everything in it ex nihilo at every moment. The single greatest flaw is the character of God. First, the very idea of libertarian free will is incoherent so even God cannot have it. And yet, creatures are to blame for sinning even thought they could not do otherwise. Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Well, I’m not saying he didn’t have a great mind. Answer: Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758) was a pastor and theologian, thought by many to be the greatest theological mind that the New World has ever produced. Most famously, perhaps, evangelical historian Mark Noll has often held up Edwards as THE paradigm of a great Christian intellectual whose example we should all follow. God simply “left ‘em to themselves” so that sin and evil followed inevitably or necessarily. Church and ministry leadership resources to better equip, train and provide ideas for today's church and ministry leaders, like you. Well, I’m not saying he didn’t have a great mind. Need I go on making my case that Edwards’ theology contains massive flaws? Also, Edwards was an intellectual who stood head and shoulders above most of his peers. It’s not limited to American evangelicals, of course. And he didn’t draw back from admitting that IN SOME SENSE God is the author of sin and evil. What I like to tell students about Edwards is that he was harshly critical of New Englanders who stole land from the Native Americans. 2. And why does God render sin and evil necessary? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Edwards_(theologian) Finally, our prayers are not merely that God would save our nation, but that He would pour out His Spirit on it through the church. We have no idea what he would have gone on to do in terms of intellectual contributions to American philosophy, science and theology had he lived longer. And the fall becomes not only inevitable but necessary. feels like some sweet, innocent dream--to him, to us, to his peers. When his congregation expelled him from his pulpit (partly, at least, for that), he went off to the frontier and lived among the Indians. We have no idea what he would have gone on to do in terms of intellectual contributions to American philosophy, science and theology had he lived longer. I’ve taught college/university/seminary students for thirty years now and there’s one thing they (who attended public schools) agree on: they were misled about Edwards.