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The Sermons of Jonathan Edwards: A Reader
Jonathan Edwards, widely considered America’s most important Christian thinker, was first and foremost a preacher and pastor who guided souls and interpreted religious experiences. His primary tool in achieving these goals was the sermon, out of which grew many of his famous treatises. This selection of Edwards’ sermons recognizes their crucial role in his life and art.
The fifteen sermons, four of which have never been published before, reflect a life dedicated to experiencing and understanding spiritual truth. Chosen to represent a typical cycle of Edwards’ preaching, the sermons address a wide range of occasions, situations, and states, corporate as well as personal. The book also contains an introduction that discusses Edwards’ contribution to the sermon as a literary form, places his sermons within their social and cultural contexts, and considers his theological aims as a way of familiarizing the reader with the "order of salvation" as Edwards conceived of it. Together, the sermons and the editors’ introduction offer a rounded picture of Edwards the preacher, the sermon writer, and the pastoral theologian.
The fifteen sermons, four of which have never been published before, reflect a life dedicated to experiencing and understanding spiritual truth. Chosen to represent a typical cycle of Edwards’ preaching, the sermons address a wide range of occasions, situations, and states, corporate as well as personal. The book also contains an introduction that discusses Edwards’ contribution to the sermon as a literary form, places his sermons within their social and cultural contexts, and considers his theological aims as a way of familiarizing the reader with the "order of salvation" as Edwards conceived of it. Together, the sermons and the editors’ introduction offer a rounded picture of Edwards the preacher, the sermon writer, and the pastoral theologian.
336 pages, Paperback
First published July 11, 1999
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About the author
Jonathan Edwards
1,644 books537 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database named Jonathan Edwards.
Jonathan Edwards was the most eminent American philosopher-theologian of his time, and a key figure in what has come to be called the First Great Awakening of the 1730s and 1740s.
The only son in a family of eleven children, he entered Yale in September, 1716 when he was not yet thirteen and graduated four years later (1720) as valedictorian. He received his Masters three years later. As a youth, Edwards was unable to accept the Calvinist sovereignty of God. However, in 1721 he came to what he called a "delightful conviction" though meditation on 1 Timothy 1:17. From that point on, Edwards delighted in the sovereignty of God. Edwards later recognized this as his conversion to Christ.
In 1727 he was ordained minister at Northampton and assistant to his maternal grandfather, Solomon Stoddard. He was a student minister, not a visiting pastor, his rule being thirteen hours of study a day. In the same year, he married Sarah Pierpont, then age seventeen, daughter of Yale founder James Pierpont (1659–1714). In total, Jonathan and Sarah had eleven children.
Stoddard died on February 11th, 1729, leaving to his grandson the difficult task of the sole ministerial charge of one of the largest and wealthiest congregations in the colony. Throughout his time in Northampton his preaching brought remarkable religious revivals.
Yet, tensions flamed as Edwards would not continue his grandfather's practice of open communion. Stoddard believed that communion was a "converting ordinance." Surrounding congregations had been convinced of this, and as Edwards became more convinced that this was harmful, his public disagreement with the idea caused his dismissal in 1750.
Edwards then moved to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, then a frontier settlement, where he ministered to a small congregation and served as missionary to the Housatonic Indians. There, having more time for study and writing, he completed his celebrated work, The Freedom of the Will (1754).
Edwards was elected president of the College of New Jersey (later Princeton University) in early 1758. He was a popular choice, for he had been a friend of the College since its inception. He died of fever at the age of fifty-four following experimental inoculation for smallpox and was buried in the President's Lot in the Princeton cemetery beside his son-in-law, Aaron Burr.
Jonathan Edwards was the most eminent American philosopher-theologian of his time, and a key figure in what has come to be called the First Great Awakening of the 1730s and 1740s.
The only son in a family of eleven children, he entered Yale in September, 1716 when he was not yet thirteen and graduated four years later (1720) as valedictorian. He received his Masters three years later. As a youth, Edwards was unable to accept the Calvinist sovereignty of God. However, in 1721 he came to what he called a "delightful conviction" though meditation on 1 Timothy 1:17. From that point on, Edwards delighted in the sovereignty of God. Edwards later recognized this as his conversion to Christ.
In 1727 he was ordained minister at Northampton and assistant to his maternal grandfather, Solomon Stoddard. He was a student minister, not a visiting pastor, his rule being thirteen hours of study a day. In the same year, he married Sarah Pierpont, then age seventeen, daughter of Yale founder James Pierpont (1659–1714). In total, Jonathan and Sarah had eleven children.
Stoddard died on February 11th, 1729, leaving to his grandson the difficult task of the sole ministerial charge of one of the largest and wealthiest congregations in the colony. Throughout his time in Northampton his preaching brought remarkable religious revivals.
Yet, tensions flamed as Edwards would not continue his grandfather's practice of open communion. Stoddard believed that communion was a "converting ordinance." Surrounding congregations had been convinced of this, and as Edwards became more convinced that this was harmful, his public disagreement with the idea caused his dismissal in 1750.
Edwards then moved to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, then a frontier settlement, where he ministered to a small congregation and served as missionary to the Housatonic Indians. There, having more time for study and writing, he completed his celebrated work, The Freedom of the Will (1754).
Edwards was elected president of the College of New Jersey (later Princeton University) in early 1758. He was a popular choice, for he had been a friend of the College since its inception. He died of fever at the age of fifty-four following experimental inoculation for smallpox and was buried in the President's Lot in the Princeton cemetery beside his son-in-law, Aaron Burr.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 2, 2024
Read excerpt for class. Must return to this someday!
December 31, 2020
Having only read excerpts from a few of Jonathan Edwards' more famous sermons and writings, I was not sure what to expect. I am a layperson with an interest in American religious history and a committed Christian.
November 25, 2014
A fantastic collection of twenty sermons preached by Jonathan Edwards while pastor at Northhampton, including the first sermon he ever preached, and concluding with his last sermon preached to his congregation right after they ousted him because of the membership requirement controversy.
This collection took me a while to go through as each sermon is so weighty and full of spiritual meat to ponder and digest. Edwards was as brilliantly pastoral as he was theological and philosophical, and this collection let me into the mind of Jonathan Edwards the Congregational pastor, and not just Jonathan Edwards the American theologian.
One specific sermon entitled "Christ's Agony" was one of the most beautifully written sermons I had ever read, and is a must read for evangelicals today. The sermon recounts the Cross, and what Christ went through as He pondered what He was about to endure, namely, the full cup of God's wrath, for the sake of the salvation of the elect. The sermon made me abhor my self evident sinfulness, and yet marvel at Christ's magnificent holiness, love, and sacrifice for wretched creatures He Himself created.
Another one of my favorites was "The Glory of God in the Damnation of Sinners." In short, a brilliant collection that I am thankful and happy I went through in order to experience Edwards in a new pastoral way.
This collection took me a while to go through as each sermon is so weighty and full of spiritual meat to ponder and digest. Edwards was as brilliantly pastoral as he was theological and philosophical, and this collection let me into the mind of Jonathan Edwards the Congregational pastor, and not just Jonathan Edwards the American theologian.
One specific sermon entitled "Christ's Agony" was one of the most beautifully written sermons I had ever read, and is a must read for evangelicals today. The sermon recounts the Cross, and what Christ went through as He pondered what He was about to endure, namely, the full cup of God's wrath, for the sake of the salvation of the elect. The sermon made me abhor my self evident sinfulness, and yet marvel at Christ's magnificent holiness, love, and sacrifice for wretched creatures He Himself created.
Another one of my favorites was "The Glory of God in the Damnation of Sinners." In short, a brilliant collection that I am thankful and happy I went through in order to experience Edwards in a new pastoral way.
October 2, 2015
Solid collection, features some of his best insights and ideas without having to scale the mountain that is the Complete Work of Jonathon Edwards. Solid reformed theology and powerful preaching. Contains all the usual Edwardian pitfalls (platonism and such), but still an important historical contribution to the faith and something that every Christian should deal with at some point in time.
June 24, 2017
I set out in the reading of this volume to gain the essence of Jonathan Edwards, as best formulated and represented in the production of his varied pulpit expositions, delivered at divergent times, locations, and audiences in his life. Such a distillation of the man is precisely what I gained.
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) was a preacher of such intellectual and theological powers, that approaching his revered treatises (such classics as The Nature of True Virtue, The Religious Affections, or Concerning the End for Which God Created the World) could be intimidating in the best case. Coming to a collection of fifteen sermons would provide a sufficient gateway into the thought and heart of this enigmatic figure without presenting an insurmountable demand on the reader. A wealth awaited me.
His sermons were expository, grounded ever in strict biblical exegesis, and yet they spoke clearly to the need of the hour (see his A Farewell Sermon and To the Mohawks at the Treaty for an exhibition of Edward's masterful hand in this respect). He spared no uncomfortable truths, holding forth on the reality of hell, the eminence of holiness, the terrors of God's wrath against human sin, and the necessity of repentance and faith (see The Way of Holiness, Sinner's in the Hands of an Angry God, and The Reality of Conversion).
Edwards lifted up Christ, rhapsodizing on the love of a dying, caring Jesus who stands before weary sinners as a friend who would bear their heavy burden, offering relief from slavery to sin, as one in whom was "a conjunction of diverse excellencies," earnest as a lion, humble as a lamb (see I Know my Redeemer Lives and The Excellency of Christ). But perhaps Edwards achieves his loftiest heights when glorying in the Holy Spirit in A Divine and Supernatural Light or the realities of heaven in Heaven Is a World of Love.
Edwards' own words describe best the sense on the heart his sermons have produced in this reader: "Whatsoever there is, or can be, that is desirable to be in a friend, is in Christ, and that to the highest degree that can be desired." Indeed, he has helped me worship, and that is no small thing.
Having in recent days enjoyed two titles on Edwards (review, review) and one by him, a pause in this study is in order, and yet to be resumed soon. I look ahead with anticipation.
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) was a preacher of such intellectual and theological powers, that approaching his revered treatises (such classics as The Nature of True Virtue, The Religious Affections, or Concerning the End for Which God Created the World) could be intimidating in the best case. Coming to a collection of fifteen sermons would provide a sufficient gateway into the thought and heart of this enigmatic figure without presenting an insurmountable demand on the reader. A wealth awaited me.
His sermons were expository, grounded ever in strict biblical exegesis, and yet they spoke clearly to the need of the hour (see his A Farewell Sermon and To the Mohawks at the Treaty for an exhibition of Edward's masterful hand in this respect). He spared no uncomfortable truths, holding forth on the reality of hell, the eminence of holiness, the terrors of God's wrath against human sin, and the necessity of repentance and faith (see The Way of Holiness, Sinner's in the Hands of an Angry God, and The Reality of Conversion).
Edwards lifted up Christ, rhapsodizing on the love of a dying, caring Jesus who stands before weary sinners as a friend who would bear their heavy burden, offering relief from slavery to sin, as one in whom was "a conjunction of diverse excellencies," earnest as a lion, humble as a lamb (see I Know my Redeemer Lives and The Excellency of Christ). But perhaps Edwards achieves his loftiest heights when glorying in the Holy Spirit in A Divine and Supernatural Light or the realities of heaven in Heaven Is a World of Love.
Edwards' own words describe best the sense on the heart his sermons have produced in this reader: "Whatsoever there is, or can be, that is desirable to be in a friend, is in Christ, and that to the highest degree that can be desired." Indeed, he has helped me worship, and that is no small thing.
Having in recent days enjoyed two titles on Edwards (review, review) and one by him, a pause in this study is in order, and yet to be resumed soon. I look ahead with anticipation.
May 20, 2019
This is a great and accessible entry-point to the writings of Jonathan Edwards. His sermons are lucid and compelling. The introduction highlights the importance of Edwards's sermons in his output, along with some useful basic background info about him.
March 6, 2022
Interesting glimpse into what reformed Christianity was like (in New England) 300 years ago.
May 21, 2013
Tough read dated language, looooong sermons, lots of theology in it, get a good sense of Reformed sermons of that time. Helpful thinking that still applies today. Tends to be heavy on the lack of confidence in one's faith and hammers on the side of our sinfulness rather than God's extravagant grace but by doing so makes one appreciate how gracious God is.
April 30, 2016
A rather good selection of Jonathan Edwards' sermons. They should have been edited to allow for today's grammatical usage and spelling but those few instances that called for such does not detract from the message of the sermons themselves. These sermons are proof of just how good a preacher he was and an example of what is so very much needed in our times.
March 16, 2008
Whoa. This is excellent and unlike any preaching you will hear in our day. Very sobering, very serious. About 20 sermons, my favorite being "Christ's Agony" - a detailed sermon on what Jesus endured in the garden prior to his arrest.
February 7, 2008
it's official. i hate this guy.
i read this so that "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" wasn't the only thing of his i had read but it turns out i wasn't judging rashly.
i read this so that "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" wasn't the only thing of his i had read but it turns out i wasn't judging rashly.
April 11, 2008
Super interesting dude. Came up with allusion of dangling your ass over the flames of hell.
April 2, 2010
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God says it all.
Currently reading
November 14, 2010Just started.
September 26, 2012
Second time reading this collection of sermons. Amazing stuff!!
April 1, 2015
Excellent collection of sermons: best sermon is "Heaven is a world of Love."
May 27, 2009
Not for the faint of heart
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews