Some who rejected the entire Great Awakening as a work of God also denied religious affections as necessary to the Christian life. For them, faith involved reason and the intellect only, not the affections. For Edwards, however, this was a serious error with enormous negative consequences—new life in Christ does not exist where religious affections […]
Edwards begins his argument supporting the centrality and importance of affections to the Christian life with a look at 1 Peter 1:8: “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” Written to believers suffering under intense persecution, Edwards
Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 3): The Definition of Religious Affections Read More »
Every revival in the church includes an unhappy mixture of good and bad—the fruit of God bringing people to saving faith and a greater love of His excellence, and the fruit of the devil’s deceptions and the corruption in believing and unbelieving hearts. Indeed, “It is no new thing, that much false religion should prevail,
Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 2): Why Edwards Wrote It Read More »
Jonathan Edwards’ classic work, The Religious Affections, is likely the greatest book ever written on the nature of the Holy Spirit’s work in the heart of a true believer or the essence of the true Christian life. Thoughtful reflection in its pages reaps the enormous dividends of greater understanding and appreciation of the infinite excellence
In the early pages of his biography of Jonathan Edwards, Iain Murray catalogs an enlightening mix of opinions concerning the eighteenth-century theologian and pastor. At first blush, the extreme and opposite views of Edwards give the impression that people were not talking about the same man. Yet, they were, and therein lies a great lesson
Lessons from Love and Contempt Toward Jonathan Edwards Read More »
I recently viewed a panel discussion where evolutionists argued that “science” alone should be taught in schools, assuming macro evolution to be an “established fact.” They called their claims “scientific,” while labelling “intelligent design” and “creationism” as “unscientific” and founded on “blind faith.” But, do those proposing time, chance, and macro evolution as the explanation
The Limits of Scientists and the Scientific Method Read More »
Have you ever wondered why Scripture sometimes speaks of the Father’s love of Christ as conditional, as given in response to Christ’s obedience? For instance, in John 10:17 we read, “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.” For many years as a believer
The Father’s Conditional Love of Christ Read More »
“Don’t worry, I’m sober enough.” “It’s safe.” “Everybody does it.” “Hey Joe, watch this!” “God would never send anyone to hell.” Of course, the latter may not be someone’s last words, but they will prove to be the most haunting. Hell will be populated with legions who denied its existence. Wishful Thinking People give many
The churches of Galatia, taught and nurtured by Paul in the Gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, were falling prey to false teachers. Self-promoting legalists were trying to put them back under the bondage of the law, to be “subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Like today, they desired the
Ignorance and Perversion of the Gospel of Grace and Glory Read More »
Several years ago, a nearby township designated itself a “No Hate” zone. More recently, “Hate Has No Home Here” signs have been popping up throughout the area. While the intent behind the messages may or may not be well-meaning, it seems a difficult thing to require and enforce. But beyond these difficulties, hate remains a
God Is Love and He Hates Things Read More »
