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A God Entranced Vision of All Things: The Legacy of Jonathan Edwards
"Useful men are some of the greatest blessings of a people. To have many such is more for a people's happiness than almost anything, unless it be God's own gracious, spiritual presence amongst them; they are precious gifts of heaven."
Certainly one of the most useful men in evangelical history was the man who preached those words, pastor and theologian Jonathan Edwards. Commemorating his 300th birthday, general editors John Piper and Justin Taylor chose ten essays that highlight different aspects of Edwards's life and legacy and show how his teachings are just as relevant today as they were three centuries ago.
Even within the church, many people know little more about Edwards than what is printed in American history textbooks-most often, excerpts from his best-known sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." They unjustly envision Edwards preaching only fire and brimstone to frightened listeners. But he knew and preached God's heaven as much as Satan's hell. He was a humble and joyful servant, striving to glorify God in his personal life and public ministry.
This book's contributors investigate the character and teachings of the man who preached from a deep concern for the unsaved and a passionate desire for God. Studying the life and works of this dynamic Great Awakening figure will rouse slumbering Christians, prompting them to view the world through Edwards's God-centered lens.
Certainly one of the most useful men in evangelical history was the man who preached those words, pastor and theologian Jonathan Edwards. Commemorating his 300th birthday, general editors John Piper and Justin Taylor chose ten essays that highlight different aspects of Edwards's life and legacy and show how his teachings are just as relevant today as they were three centuries ago.
Even within the church, many people know little more about Edwards than what is printed in American history textbooks-most often, excerpts from his best-known sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." They unjustly envision Edwards preaching only fire and brimstone to frightened listeners. But he knew and preached God's heaven as much as Satan's hell. He was a humble and joyful servant, striving to glorify God in his personal life and public ministry.
This book's contributors investigate the character and teachings of the man who preached from a deep concern for the unsaved and a passionate desire for God. Studying the life and works of this dynamic Great Awakening figure will rouse slumbering Christians, prompting them to view the world through Edwards's God-centered lens.
288 pages, Paperback
First published August 10, 2004
16 people are currently reading
545 people want to read
About the author
John Piper
610 books4,562 followersJohn Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as senior pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.), and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years, he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem.
John is the author of more than 50 books and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noel, have four sons, one daughter, and twelve grandchildren.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.), and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years, he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem.
John is the author of more than 50 books and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noel, have four sons, one daughter, and twelve grandchildren.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 19, 2007
God gave J.E. as much, if not the most, insight into His glory and His nature, and His mind as any man since St. Paul. (At least that wrote down his thoughts in a manner that survives in publishing). Though definitely a sinner, this sinner knew the unsearchable riches of Christ and enjoyed them immensely. I love that he was a rural pastor, then a frontier missionary, and then very briefly a university president; a husband and father of 11 children. He was strongly calvinistic which made him strongly evangelical, and he had a "God entranced vision of all things", hence the title.
The book collects semi-biographical essays from pastors/theologians who have loved him for the benefit of the reader and transmitting that "God entranced vision of all things" to our generation.
The book collects semi-biographical essays from pastors/theologians who have loved him for the benefit of the reader and transmitting that "God entranced vision of all things" to our generation.
December 5, 2008
All of Piper's biographical sketches are pearl. The conference version is available for streaming or download as MP3 for free at the Desiring God website.
August 31, 2018
This book was amazing. The chapter that dealt with Edwards & Slavery was worth the price of the book. Although, I did not read the last 3 chapters which over viewed 3 of Edwards’ greatest works, “Original Sin”, “Freedom of the Will”, & “The Religious Affections” (I’ve not read the books yet. I’ll come back to these chapters once I’ve read these works).
But as an Edwards fan, every chapter was thrilling & I never once became bored or felt disappointed by the contents of this book.
But as an Edwards fan, every chapter was thrilling & I never once became bored or felt disappointed by the contents of this book.
June 6, 2016
John Piper shows forth again his love and expertise in all things Jonathan Edwards. Published by Crossway and with the help of Justin Taylor, the two edited this volume of essays written by an all-star lineup of expert ‘Edwardseans’. In it, they set out to show that Edward’s held a worldview that needs to be recovered today, especially by the American church. He understood Christ as not only the creator of all things, sustaining it by his rule, but also as the purpose of it all. Edward’s understood every aspect of life to be pointing to Christ’s rule and he saw his Lord under every rock and behind every door of society. These are the lenses that Edward’s wore and that Piper and Taylor want their readers to join them in looking through.
The work is a series of essays that lays out for students the life, thought, and three major works of Jonathan Edwards. The authors utilize both primary and secondary sources to address these topics that support the main thesis. Speaking of the whole of creation, Piper quotes Edwards directly who points out his vision “that the whole is of God, and in God, and to God, and God is the beginning, middle and end in this affair.” Readers are brought through a concise study of Edwards’ understanding of revival, the nature of the local church, and the Christian religion in general. These studies reveal Christ’s primacy in Edward’s theology, philosophy, and orthopraxy. The contributors then take advantage of Edward’s academic, ecclesiastical and familial life to show how his vision was manifested practically. Studying the story of Edward’s wife, his influence is seen through her impactful words to their daughter following his death, “A holy and good God has covered us with a dark cloud. O that we may kiss the rod, and lay our hands upon our mouths! The Lord has done it. O what a legacy my husband, and your father, has left us! We are all given to God; and there I am, and love to be.”
Parts one and two of the collection are potentially the most convincing and attention grabbing. Primary sources from Edward’s own hand and that of his contemporaries clearly expose how Edwards viewed all of life as finding its purpose in Christ. A man’s true colors shine forth from what he does in secret and how his family thinks of him. Donald Whitney’ work on Edward’s use of the private spiritual disciplines shows how Edward’s made use of the time given to him by Christ for Christ. Seeing how Edward’s family spoke of his character and how they reflected his vision in their own lives further evidenced this truth.
The third part of the book is perhaps the only place where the editors’ purpose becomes somewhat lost. As helpful as the essays were in summarizing three paramount works of the great pastor-theologian, they nonetheless fall short in pointing back to the books purpose. Perhaps it would have been more helpful to show how these works pointed towards Edward’s vision of all things rather than pursuing an in-depth overview of the works. Most of all however, an essay devoted to Edwards as a slave owner reminds the reader of Edward’s humanity and his inability to truly apply his vision of Christ to all things. This should encourage readers to be thankful for the vision of Jonathan Edwards and to observe their own lives to see how they might be lacking in seeing Christ as preeminent in all things.
One other critique that I might add is that, while the book is packed full of encouraging words from both Edward’s himself and those who follow his lead, there is lacking a sense of direction in how this God-entranced vision of all things can play out in our own lives. Perhaps the editors wanted readers to think through this on their own, but it would have still been helpful nonetheless.
The work is a series of essays that lays out for students the life, thought, and three major works of Jonathan Edwards. The authors utilize both primary and secondary sources to address these topics that support the main thesis. Speaking of the whole of creation, Piper quotes Edwards directly who points out his vision “that the whole is of God, and in God, and to God, and God is the beginning, middle and end in this affair.” Readers are brought through a concise study of Edwards’ understanding of revival, the nature of the local church, and the Christian religion in general. These studies reveal Christ’s primacy in Edward’s theology, philosophy, and orthopraxy. The contributors then take advantage of Edward’s academic, ecclesiastical and familial life to show how his vision was manifested practically. Studying the story of Edward’s wife, his influence is seen through her impactful words to their daughter following his death, “A holy and good God has covered us with a dark cloud. O that we may kiss the rod, and lay our hands upon our mouths! The Lord has done it. O what a legacy my husband, and your father, has left us! We are all given to God; and there I am, and love to be.”
Parts one and two of the collection are potentially the most convincing and attention grabbing. Primary sources from Edward’s own hand and that of his contemporaries clearly expose how Edwards viewed all of life as finding its purpose in Christ. A man’s true colors shine forth from what he does in secret and how his family thinks of him. Donald Whitney’ work on Edward’s use of the private spiritual disciplines shows how Edward’s made use of the time given to him by Christ for Christ. Seeing how Edward’s family spoke of his character and how they reflected his vision in their own lives further evidenced this truth.
The third part of the book is perhaps the only place where the editors’ purpose becomes somewhat lost. As helpful as the essays were in summarizing three paramount works of the great pastor-theologian, they nonetheless fall short in pointing back to the books purpose. Perhaps it would have been more helpful to show how these works pointed towards Edward’s vision of all things rather than pursuing an in-depth overview of the works. Most of all however, an essay devoted to Edwards as a slave owner reminds the reader of Edward’s humanity and his inability to truly apply his vision of Christ to all things. This should encourage readers to be thankful for the vision of Jonathan Edwards and to observe their own lives to see how they might be lacking in seeing Christ as preeminent in all things.
One other critique that I might add is that, while the book is packed full of encouraging words from both Edward’s himself and those who follow his lead, there is lacking a sense of direction in how this God-entranced vision of all things can play out in our own lives. Perhaps the editors wanted readers to think through this on their own, but it would have still been helpful nonetheless.
February 14, 2018
Some great essays here on the life and theology of Jonathan Edwards. Piper's introductory essay is one of the best and most important things he's written.
After listening to this awhile back I read it and found it even better that I first recognized.
Some quotes:
"No other colonial figure, not even Benjamin Franklin or George Washington, has generated the literature from dissertations to popular articles and treatments as Jonathan Edwards has. The number is fast approaching 4,000." (36)
By 1900 Edwards' descendents included: 13 college presidents; 65 professors; 100 lawyers and the dean of a law school; 30 judges; 66 physicians and the dean of a medical school; 80 holders of public office 3 U.S. senators, 3 mayors of large cities, 3 govenors, a controller of the U.S. Treasury and a vice president of the U.S. (62)
"This is the essence of Edwards's God-entranced vision of all things. God is the beginning, the middle and the end of all things. Nothing exists without his creating it. Nothing stays in being without his sustaining word. Everything has its reason for existing from him. Therefore nothing can be understood apart from him, and all understandings of all things that leave him out are superficial understandings, since they leave out the most important reality in the universe." (24)
"'God is glorified, Edwards says, 'not only by His glory's being seen, but by its being rejoiced in.' ...
God is glorified by our being satisfied in him." (27)
"There is one final word for finding delight in the creation more than the Creator: treason." (27)
"He saw Christianity as engaging both head and heart ... He had an overwhelming vision of the beauty and excellency of Christ, the love and sweet communion of the Holy Spirit, and the glory and majesty of God, while simultaneously seeing wrath and judgment, punishment and justice, as also comprising the divine nature. He had a prfound sense of grace and forgiveness, coupled with an acute sense of guilt and repentance. In short, Edwards knew the beauty of Christ because he knew palpably the ugliness of sin." (36)
"Edwards hoped ... to write 'a body of divinity (i.e., a systematic theology) in an entire new method, being thrown into the form of an history.' ... It would trace out from Scripture the progressive fulfillment of God's decreetal plan. Edwards did not live to fulfill his hope, but the posthumous publication of his 1739 sermon titled A History of the Work of Redemption gives us some faint idea of what the proposed work would have been like." (89)
"Edwards arrived in Princeton on February 16, 1758, and was formally installed as the President of the College that same day. One week later, February 23, he was inoculated for small pox, and after one month, lacking a day, on March 22, 1758, he died from it. Jonathan Edwards lived to be only fifty-four." (132)
After listening to this awhile back I read it and found it even better that I first recognized.
Some quotes:
"No other colonial figure, not even Benjamin Franklin or George Washington, has generated the literature from dissertations to popular articles and treatments as Jonathan Edwards has. The number is fast approaching 4,000." (36)
By 1900 Edwards' descendents included: 13 college presidents; 65 professors; 100 lawyers and the dean of a law school; 30 judges; 66 physicians and the dean of a medical school; 80 holders of public office 3 U.S. senators, 3 mayors of large cities, 3 govenors, a controller of the U.S. Treasury and a vice president of the U.S. (62)
"This is the essence of Edwards's God-entranced vision of all things. God is the beginning, the middle and the end of all things. Nothing exists without his creating it. Nothing stays in being without his sustaining word. Everything has its reason for existing from him. Therefore nothing can be understood apart from him, and all understandings of all things that leave him out are superficial understandings, since they leave out the most important reality in the universe." (24)
"'God is glorified, Edwards says, 'not only by His glory's being seen, but by its being rejoiced in.' ...
God is glorified by our being satisfied in him." (27)
"There is one final word for finding delight in the creation more than the Creator: treason." (27)
"He saw Christianity as engaging both head and heart ... He had an overwhelming vision of the beauty and excellency of Christ, the love and sweet communion of the Holy Spirit, and the glory and majesty of God, while simultaneously seeing wrath and judgment, punishment and justice, as also comprising the divine nature. He had a prfound sense of grace and forgiveness, coupled with an acute sense of guilt and repentance. In short, Edwards knew the beauty of Christ because he knew palpably the ugliness of sin." (36)
"Edwards hoped ... to write 'a body of divinity (i.e., a systematic theology) in an entire new method, being thrown into the form of an history.' ... It would trace out from Scripture the progressive fulfillment of God's decreetal plan. Edwards did not live to fulfill his hope, but the posthumous publication of his 1739 sermon titled A History of the Work of Redemption gives us some faint idea of what the proposed work would have been like." (89)
"Edwards arrived in Princeton on February 16, 1758, and was formally installed as the President of the College that same day. One week later, February 23, he was inoculated for small pox, and after one month, lacking a day, on March 22, 1758, he died from it. Jonathan Edwards lived to be only fifty-four." (132)
May 8, 2016
Good overview of Edwards and some of his significant writings.
2 stars for chapter 7 (Trusting the Theology of a Slave Owner) did not fit at all in this book
3 stars for chapter 8-9 The Great Christian Doctrine (Original Sin) & The Will: Fettered Yet Free (Freedom of the Will) - complex doctrinal issues were made even more confusing
5 starts for chapter 3 & 10 Sarah Edwards: Jonathan’s Home and Haven by Noël Piper/ Godly Emotions (Religious Affections) by Mark R. Talbot
2 stars for chapter 7 (Trusting the Theology of a Slave Owner) did not fit at all in this book
3 stars for chapter 8-9 The Great Christian Doctrine (Original Sin) & The Will: Fettered Yet Free (Freedom of the Will) - complex doctrinal issues were made even more confusing
5 starts for chapter 3 & 10 Sarah Edwards: Jonathan’s Home and Haven by Noël Piper/ Godly Emotions (Religious Affections) by Mark R. Talbot
November 2, 2013
A great primer for those preparing to read/understand Jonathan Edwards’ theology. The Sam Storms chapter is a little confusing due to his writing style but the contents is what really matters. The Sherard Bruns chapter on trusting the theology of a slave owners is worth the price of this book.
May 4, 2017
Having circled Edwards for some time, assessing him from a distance, I at last decided to approach the rabbit hole and peer in, hoping to find out if this man was indeed worthy of acquaintance. After reading A God Entranced Vision of All Things, I can with no hesitation say: the Northampton Puritan has successfully enchanted this soul.
Edwards sings: his poetic heart, his theological acumen, his affectionate discourse, his exalted vision for the fullness of the Christian life, his doctrinal exactitude, his worshipful words, his disciplined life, his delight in God, his reflective introspection, his nourishing expositions, his pastoral passion for the salvation of lost souls: this is a man one would be wise to pursue, and this volume provides just the foretaste to whet the appetite.
Whitney's chapter on Edward's and the spiritual disciplines soared (if there is one chapter to read, this one is it). Talbot on The Religious Affections ought to be expanded and published as a book of its own (some astounding insights here). I am just beginning to get to know this man, and already I find myself loving him. I have peered, and now, down the rabbit hole I go.
Edwards sings: his poetic heart, his theological acumen, his affectionate discourse, his exalted vision for the fullness of the Christian life, his doctrinal exactitude, his worshipful words, his disciplined life, his delight in God, his reflective introspection, his nourishing expositions, his pastoral passion for the salvation of lost souls: this is a man one would be wise to pursue, and this volume provides just the foretaste to whet the appetite.
Whitney's chapter on Edward's and the spiritual disciplines soared (if there is one chapter to read, this one is it). Talbot on The Religious Affections ought to be expanded and published as a book of its own (some astounding insights here). I am just beginning to get to know this man, and already I find myself loving him. I have peered, and now, down the rabbit hole I go.
October 3, 2019
Fun book. I think I might like Piper's reading of Edwards more than I like Edwards himself.
My favorite chapters were Piper's introduction (ch. 1), Whitney on spiritual disciplines (ch. 5), Dever on how Edwards got fired (ch. 6), and Storms' overview of "Freedom of the Will" (ch. 9). Burns' chapter on Edwards as a slave-holder (ch. 7) was excellent! A refreshing reprieve from a book that otherwise might have bordered on hagiography.
Critiques:
- Helms did a good job of summarizing "Original Sin," but it seems like Edwards' thoughts on the matter were complicated and perhaps convoluted (ch. 8).
- Talbot's long chapter on Religious Affections seemed to stray from Edwards' thought (ch. 10). I get it that Talbot might be an expert on emotions, but he ended up dealing with Lewis, Warfield, and a lot of his own ideas. The footnotes were the weirdest I've ever seen.
My favorite chapters were Piper's introduction (ch. 1), Whitney on spiritual disciplines (ch. 5), Dever on how Edwards got fired (ch. 6), and Storms' overview of "Freedom of the Will" (ch. 9). Burns' chapter on Edwards as a slave-holder (ch. 7) was excellent! A refreshing reprieve from a book that otherwise might have bordered on hagiography.
Critiques:
- Helms did a good job of summarizing "Original Sin," but it seems like Edwards' thoughts on the matter were complicated and perhaps convoluted (ch. 8).
- Talbot's long chapter on Religious Affections seemed to stray from Edwards' thought (ch. 10). I get it that Talbot might be an expert on emotions, but he ended up dealing with Lewis, Warfield, and a lot of his own ideas. The footnotes were the weirdest I've ever seen.
August 9, 2018
An excellent introduction to the life and works of Jonathan Edwards. Compiled in 2013, the year of Edwards' 300th birthday, it explores various aspects of his life: his Puritan theology influenced by the philosophy of John Locke, the Lord's Supper controversy and why he was fired, the inconsistency in his life demonstrated by the fact that he owned slaves, his spirituality, and his treatment of such difficult subjects as original sin and free will. If this book inspires you to read Edwards' actual writings, my recommendation would be to begin with his sermons rather than his philosophical writings. His sermons have more immediate spiritual relevance and application to the lay reader.
November 29, 2024
Buku ini membahas tentang satu tokoh Kristen yang terkenal, Jonathan Edwards. Sejujurnya, aku belum tahu banyak tentang Edwards. Setelah membaca buku ini, ternyata ada banyak hal menarik yang bisa dipelajari dari seorang teolog terkenal seperti Edwards. Bukan hanya tentang pemikirannya, tetapi juga tentang cara hidupnya sehari-hari sebagai seorang Kristen. Perlu diakui bahwa Edwards bukan tanpa cela. Buku ini pun dengan jujur menunjukkan keburukan Edwards. Namun, dari keburukan itu pun kita bisa memahami tentang Tuhan dan apa artinya anugerah-Nya bagi orang berdosa. Buku ini sudah aku buatkan tulisan di blog pribadiku dan video ulasan di YouTube.
June 24, 2021
A series of essays celebrating the life of Jonathan Edwards, it helps to cover different aspects of his life and beliefs. If there was a historical ‘Hebrews 11’ list of saints, Edwards would be one of the men recounted as giving glory to God in all aspects of his life.
September 29, 2017
Drew powerful lessons from the life of a man dedicated to pleasing God, and being pleased with God. Thanks, Piper and Taylor.
January 14, 2012
For some reason, it wasn't exactly what I expected, but it was very good. I think I would have gotten more out of it if I was not so distracted by the little ones. I didn't actually read Part 3- as it was just discussion of some of Edwards' specific works. I would have preferred to read the actual works.
March 31, 2015
For the most part, this book was good. However, there were a couple of chapters that really bogged me down (7 & 8). It is worth the read but because of those two chapters I could not give it more stars.
February 6, 2008
An excellent introduction to the life and theology of Jonathan Edwards
July 6, 2013
School reading. A really solid introduction to the life and theology of Jonathan Edwards.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews