Jonathan Edwards - Theological Writings
Edwards' sermons are without question the largest bulk of original Manuscripts still available. However, besides the infamous sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" preached at the height of the New England Revivals in 1741, Edwards is known mostly for his Doctrinal Treatises. Many of these were written during his Stockbridge pastorate late in his career, and show the brilliance and exactness of one of the greatest theologians the world has ever seen.
Original
Sin:
Originally written as a
rebuttal to a work by Dr. John Taylor and entitled, The Great Christian Doctrine of
Original Sin defended; Evidences of it's Truth produced, and Arguments to the Contrary
answered. Containing, in particular, A Reply to the Objections and Arguings of Dr. John
Taylor, in his book, Entitled, "The Scripture-Doctrine of Original Sin proposed to
free and candid Examination, &c." The doctrine of Original Sin and the
Federal headship of Adam has been an accepted doctrine of Christian Orthodoxy for 2,000
years. It was attacked in Edwards day by
professing Christians and Deists alike. This heterodoxy has its roots in Modern American
Evangelicalism from the teaching and revivalism of Charles G. Finney. This timeless
treatise is needed today just as it was in 1754.
The
Religious Affections:
Written as both a defense of the Revivals
in colonial New England, and a warning of false profession and religion, The Religious
Affections ranks as one of the most powerful works ever written. It has been said that,
"if one can read Religious Affections, and still be convinced they belong to
Christ, they most assuredly must be". Edwards objective is to distinguish between
true and false religion by showing the marks of a saving work of the Holy Spirit in men.
In his preface, Edwards stresses the importance of using, "our utmost endeavours
clearly to discern ... wherein true religion does consist". For "till this be
done, it may be expected that great revivings of religion will be but of short
continuance".
Freedom of the Will:
Originally Entitled, A Careful and Strict Enquiry into the
Modern Prevailing Notions of that Freedom of Will which is supposed to be essential to
Moral Agency, Vertue and Vice, Reward and Punishment, Praise and Blame, Freedom of
the Will was originally published in 1754, near the midpoint of Edwards pastorate of the
Indian missionary church in Stockbridge, MA. This treatise was written to destroy not only
the Arminian argument of the Free Will of Man, but attacks the anti-evangelistic
determinism of Hyper-Calvinism as well. In Allen C. Guelzo's superb book, Edwards on
the Will, A Century of American Theological Debate, Guelzo writes in the
introduction, ""Edwards on the Will" - No single title in American
literature has ever had quite the ring of finality, of unquestioned settlement of dispute,
as this...." Amen -
History
of the Work of Redemption:
Enclosed is just the outlines of what was to be Jonathan Edwards' greatest
work. In his Preface Jonathan Edwards Jr. says this about the work, "Mr.
Edwards had planned a body of divinity, in a new method, and in the form of a
history, in which he was to first show, how the most remarkable events, in all
ages from the fall to the present (1773) times, recorded in sacred and profane
history, were adapted to promote the the work of redemption, and then to
trace, by the light of scripture prophecy, how the same work should be yet
further carried on even to the end of the world." This series of
outlines were first preached as a series of sermons in Northampton, MA in 1739.
Other Edwards' Theological Writings
Treatise On Grace: This Manuscript was found by itself, carefully placed within folds of thick paper, and tied up with a silk ribbon. It proved to be arranged into chapters and sections, all page; and, in short, precisely as presented here. Edwards most likely kept it this way for future publication. It can be said to be a "sister" treatise to Religious Affections, and Freedom of the Will, as arguments in both are presented again here only from a slightly different perspective. Originally unpublished, this treatise was part of Selections From The Unpublished Writings of Jonathan Edwards, Edited and printed for private circulation by Rev. Alexander B. Grosart in 1865, reprinted by Soli Deo Gloria Publications in 1992.
The Qualifications
For Communion: Formally titled,
"An Humble Inquiry
Unpublished Treatise on the Trinity: This excellent defense of the Orthodox doctrine of the Trinity was never presented publicly nor published.
Directions For Judging
of Person' Experiences: Also from, Selections
From The Unpublished Writings of Jonathan Edwards, this short work is evidently
Edwards guide for testing conversions with questions during the Great Awakening.
Edwards "Two Dissertations:"
Intended by
Edwards to be published together, here are two of his greatest masterpieces. The one can
be considered to be the mirror of the other. In Edwards view the "End" for which
God created the world must be the "End" of True Virtue. Therefore the
"Truly Virtuous" life is the reason God created us.
I. Concerning the End for Which God Created the
World:
Chapter 1, Chapter 2:
This Manuscript is presented in 2 Parts. Chapter 1 and
Chapter 2. for the sake of the size of the files. Chapter 1 includes the Preface written
by Samuel Hopkins and Edwards Introduction.
II. The Nature of True Virtue:
One of Edwards most reproduced, read, and loved works..
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