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Jonathan Edwards Collection
Jonathan Edwards Lover of God (Volume 1)
Jonathan Edwards stands tall in America’s historical memory. A great philosopher, a great preacher, a great theologian. Edwards was a complex and gifted person, one who defies easy characterization. He intimidates us, and we distance ourselves from him because at the most fundamental level, he’s just not like us.
It is of course true that Jonathan Edwards was a combination of many rare an exceptional intellectual, a masterly preacher, a cavernous theologian, a devoted husband and father, a college president, and much more. But all of these roles flowed out of one simple and essential Jonathan Edwards was a Christian. He was a believer who followed Jesus Christ in repentant faith. He loved God, and he sought to live for Him.
This book celebrates the unique life and ministry of Jonathan Edwards. It peels back the cover of his life, to show us what a life devoted to our sovereign Lord can look like. It causes us to use our own God-given gifts for the salvation of sinners, the strengthening of God’s church, and the glory of God. You do not need to be a scholar to enjoy and benefit from the story and rich lessons about Edwards' life.
It is of course true that Jonathan Edwards was a combination of many rare an exceptional intellectual, a masterly preacher, a cavernous theologian, a devoted husband and father, a college president, and much more. But all of these roles flowed out of one simple and essential Jonathan Edwards was a Christian. He was a believer who followed Jesus Christ in repentant faith. He loved God, and he sought to live for Him.
This book celebrates the unique life and ministry of Jonathan Edwards. It peels back the cover of his life, to show us what a life devoted to our sovereign Lord can look like. It causes us to use our own God-given gifts for the salvation of sinners, the strengthening of God’s church, and the glory of God. You do not need to be a scholar to enjoy and benefit from the story and rich lessons about Edwards' life.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
29 people are currently reading
279 people want to read
About the author
Owen Strachan
44 books139 followersDr. Owen Strachan is Provost and Research Professor of Theology at Grace Bible Theological Seminary (GBTS). Before coming to GBTS, he served as Associate Professor of Christian Theology and Director of the Residency PhD Program at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS). He holds a PhD from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, an MDiv from Southern Seminary, and an AB from Bowdoin College. Strachan has published fourteen books and writes regularly for the Christian Post, and Thoughtlife, his Patheos blog. Strachan hosts the
City of God
podcast. He is married and is the father of three children.
You can also connect with Strachan on Facebook.
You can also connect with Strachan on Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 18, 2014
As an intro to Edwards, this book has the virtues of being concise and accessible. The way Edwards embraced providence in the ebb and flow of life, his leveraging of language, his family life, the way he cherished his wife and children, there were many fresh illustrations of this in the book. Of course, his work ethic, intensity and zeal were predictably provocative. I found the application sections at the end of each chapter to be helpful and very down to earth. This book does not engage Edwards in the kind of poignant ways that Piper engages historical figures in The Swans are Not Silent series. But the goal seems different. A good "meet this aspect of Edwards" resource to whet the appetite for more.
January 18, 2018
A very fine introduction to Jonathan Edwards life and thinking - written in a style that should be accessible for teens and adults alike. Full of devotional warmth and practical application.
March 25, 2022
This book did really well in covering the overarching themes of his life, but lacked any more depth than that. A lot of practical wisdom can be taken from this book. It does feel like just a preview of His life though.
April 29, 2013
When I was about 16 years of age I first encountered Jonathan Edwards' sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." I was impressed and although I did not fully understand all that I read I made a concerted effort to be certain and read the entire text of the message. My interest in Edwards was peaked and I started to look for more information about his life and ministry. I ran across another of his works on the great revival that his church experienced in Northampton. The book soon became cumbersome and I ended up not completing it as it exceeded my reading comprehension at the time. After that, I always respected Edwards but never pursued a further knowledge of his life, ministry, and theology. When I ran across this 5 volume work I thought that perhaps this would be a great way to jump-start my interest in Edwards and gain some information that would help me to contextualize "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." I am almost 34 now so I think I am ready to tackle Edwards. I was not disappointed with this series because that is exactly what it is intended to do... jump-start your interest.
It should be obvious from the size of the book that it is not intended to be an exhaustive study of his life and works. Even when all 5 volumes are put together it only represents a fraction of things that Edwards said and did. His works are copious and verbose; offering insight into hundreds of biblical texts and thoughts. This series has a purpose of gnawing down to the essential Edwards to see what lies at his core, and what insight can be gained from it. I love the fact that his ultimate assessment about Edwards is that among the many things that defines Edwards his most endearing and accurate identity is that Edwards is a Christian that loved the Lord. The writers have a great respect for Edwards but are not afraid to point out an area where Edwards had shortcomings or failures. Like all of us, he had moments where God did extraordinary things through his life and other moments stained by sinful attitudes, thoughts, and behaviors. Throughout it all Edwards continued to develop and grow through the joys and tragedies of his life.
In this first volume the authors sum up the life of Edwards in 8 concise chapters that starts with his birth and end with his final work at Princeton University. Starting with Edwards' parents it is easy to see why Jonathan turned out to be such an exceptionally bright and good young man. His parents instilled in him a love for learning and a love for scripture; by seventeen years of age he had graduated from Yale! During his time studying for his Master's degree Jonathan Edwards moved from religious interest into a a living relationship with the Lord, and it was this conversion that shaped his life and future ministry more than any other thing. He went on to Pastor a church that had been under the care of his grandfather who was its pastor for many years before Jonathan took over. He and Sarah pastored at Northampton and God blessed with a mighty awakening of his spirit. Edwards was ultimately dismissed from his post and spent a few years working among the Native Americans in Stockbridge before his short tenure at Princeton where he died.
One of the things I liked about this book was the fact that along the way the author stops to point out of lessons that people can learn from the example that Edwards left us. He was a loving father, a good husband and generally a wise pastor. He points out his successes but again he does not shy away from his shortcomings. He made some mistakes with his congregation that probably hurt his future there. One of the great shameful marks on Edwards' history is slavery; he not only was not an abolitionist but owned slaves of his own. He was never abusive to his slaves in the sense of violent or inhumane behavior, but it does not excuse the fact that he had them; especially since he was an educated man who should have thought through the issue more thoroughly. He discusses how Edwards handled some of the tragedies that came to him with the death of his friend David Brainerd and his beloved daughter. Jerusha was the child that was the closest to Edwards and her death was a very difficult blow. Through it all he remained strong in his faith and in his resolve to follow God through thick and thin.
The one most important point made about Edwards is the fact that he really enjoyed God. Knowing God, working for God, and pleasing God were the central joys of Edwards' life. I think this is a great example that all of us have to live up to as we constantly check ourselves to make sure that our hearts are totally towards the Lord. Sorry this is not a very long review but in all fairness this is not a very long book! I have not had a chance to read the rest of this series but I look forward to exploring some of the thoughts and the great truths that God revealed to Edwards. These books are a great addition to the library of any pastor but it is not confined to pastors only. Any person that wants to be a better Christian, Father, Student, Leader, and Friend will find in Edwards' life a good and wholesome example to follow.
It should be obvious from the size of the book that it is not intended to be an exhaustive study of his life and works. Even when all 5 volumes are put together it only represents a fraction of things that Edwards said and did. His works are copious and verbose; offering insight into hundreds of biblical texts and thoughts. This series has a purpose of gnawing down to the essential Edwards to see what lies at his core, and what insight can be gained from it. I love the fact that his ultimate assessment about Edwards is that among the many things that defines Edwards his most endearing and accurate identity is that Edwards is a Christian that loved the Lord. The writers have a great respect for Edwards but are not afraid to point out an area where Edwards had shortcomings or failures. Like all of us, he had moments where God did extraordinary things through his life and other moments stained by sinful attitudes, thoughts, and behaviors. Throughout it all Edwards continued to develop and grow through the joys and tragedies of his life.
In this first volume the authors sum up the life of Edwards in 8 concise chapters that starts with his birth and end with his final work at Princeton University. Starting with Edwards' parents it is easy to see why Jonathan turned out to be such an exceptionally bright and good young man. His parents instilled in him a love for learning and a love for scripture; by seventeen years of age he had graduated from Yale! During his time studying for his Master's degree Jonathan Edwards moved from religious interest into a a living relationship with the Lord, and it was this conversion that shaped his life and future ministry more than any other thing. He went on to Pastor a church that had been under the care of his grandfather who was its pastor for many years before Jonathan took over. He and Sarah pastored at Northampton and God blessed with a mighty awakening of his spirit. Edwards was ultimately dismissed from his post and spent a few years working among the Native Americans in Stockbridge before his short tenure at Princeton where he died.
One of the things I liked about this book was the fact that along the way the author stops to point out of lessons that people can learn from the example that Edwards left us. He was a loving father, a good husband and generally a wise pastor. He points out his successes but again he does not shy away from his shortcomings. He made some mistakes with his congregation that probably hurt his future there. One of the great shameful marks on Edwards' history is slavery; he not only was not an abolitionist but owned slaves of his own. He was never abusive to his slaves in the sense of violent or inhumane behavior, but it does not excuse the fact that he had them; especially since he was an educated man who should have thought through the issue more thoroughly. He discusses how Edwards handled some of the tragedies that came to him with the death of his friend David Brainerd and his beloved daughter. Jerusha was the child that was the closest to Edwards and her death was a very difficult blow. Through it all he remained strong in his faith and in his resolve to follow God through thick and thin.
The one most important point made about Edwards is the fact that he really enjoyed God. Knowing God, working for God, and pleasing God were the central joys of Edwards' life. I think this is a great example that all of us have to live up to as we constantly check ourselves to make sure that our hearts are totally towards the Lord. Sorry this is not a very long review but in all fairness this is not a very long book! I have not had a chance to read the rest of this series but I look forward to exploring some of the thoughts and the great truths that God revealed to Edwards. These books are a great addition to the library of any pastor but it is not confined to pastors only. Any person that wants to be a better Christian, Father, Student, Leader, and Friend will find in Edwards' life a good and wholesome example to follow.
August 11, 2010
Book Review
By
Jason Scott
The Essential Edwards Collection:
Jonathan Edwards Lover of God
By
Owen Strachan and Doug Sweeny
This is one volume in a five-volume set. These volumes are not numbered in any particular order, but this would be probably the best one to start with. The reason for this is that this is more biographical than the others. This book begins with the birth and early life of Edwards, including his educational background. Edwards formal education ended with him giving the valedictorian address at Yale, in Latin!
“Jonathan’s master’s work placed him
squarely in the camp of orthodox
Protestantism. Some in his day challenged
the idea that a sinner had to be saved by
divine grace, asserting that people, in effect,
completed their salvation by
good works.” Pg 46
The main thrust of this book, is that Jonathan Edwards truly and deeply loved his God. This is evident in the life he lived. The glory of God was his concern as he led his family, both as a husband and father, shepherd his flock, and mentored young men to become faithful servants for Christ.
Edwards had his share of trials as well. He was not a very healthy man, often working himself so hard to the point of being bed ridden for long periods of time. Edwards also felt the deep pain of death, as his spiritual son( David Brainerd) and later daughter( Jerusha) succumbed to a young death. Edwards also had to face the humiliation of being a prominent pastor that was fired from his church after several years of faithful service.
“The fact that America’s greatest
theologian was fired from his church
is a source of historical shame. Edwards
did not always make the right decision,
and he was not free from sin, but
his firing was a travesty.”
Pg 128
After this firing Edwards spent some years as a missionary to Native Americans. It was during this time that he was able to write many of his important works. In 1757, Edwards received a surprising call from the board of trustees at Princeton University; they wanted him to become the next president. Edwards accepted this call, but a month after his instillation, he died of small pox.
Edwards life is one that is worth studying and this book helps in that study.
“We who love and worship Jesus Christ
will find Him just as satisfying
in our modern era as Edwards did in his
own day. May we learn from his
example, glean his wisdom, and
above all, devote ourselves to pursuing our
great God on a daily basis just as
Jonathan Edwards, lover of God,
did so many years ago. Pg 150.
By
Jason Scott
The Essential Edwards Collection:
Jonathan Edwards Lover of God
By
Owen Strachan and Doug Sweeny
This is one volume in a five-volume set. These volumes are not numbered in any particular order, but this would be probably the best one to start with. The reason for this is that this is more biographical than the others. This book begins with the birth and early life of Edwards, including his educational background. Edwards formal education ended with him giving the valedictorian address at Yale, in Latin!
“Jonathan’s master’s work placed him
squarely in the camp of orthodox
Protestantism. Some in his day challenged
the idea that a sinner had to be saved by
divine grace, asserting that people, in effect,
completed their salvation by
good works.” Pg 46
The main thrust of this book, is that Jonathan Edwards truly and deeply loved his God. This is evident in the life he lived. The glory of God was his concern as he led his family, both as a husband and father, shepherd his flock, and mentored young men to become faithful servants for Christ.
Edwards had his share of trials as well. He was not a very healthy man, often working himself so hard to the point of being bed ridden for long periods of time. Edwards also felt the deep pain of death, as his spiritual son( David Brainerd) and later daughter( Jerusha) succumbed to a young death. Edwards also had to face the humiliation of being a prominent pastor that was fired from his church after several years of faithful service.
“The fact that America’s greatest
theologian was fired from his church
is a source of historical shame. Edwards
did not always make the right decision,
and he was not free from sin, but
his firing was a travesty.”
Pg 128
After this firing Edwards spent some years as a missionary to Native Americans. It was during this time that he was able to write many of his important works. In 1757, Edwards received a surprising call from the board of trustees at Princeton University; they wanted him to become the next president. Edwards accepted this call, but a month after his instillation, he died of small pox.
Edwards life is one that is worth studying and this book helps in that study.
“We who love and worship Jesus Christ
will find Him just as satisfying
in our modern era as Edwards did in his
own day. May we learn from his
example, glean his wisdom, and
above all, devote ourselves to pursuing our
great God on a daily basis just as
Jonathan Edwards, lover of God,
did so many years ago. Pg 150.
July 1, 2014
This was a good book but not a great book. I expected this to contain far more of Edwards own writing. In reality the book was largely the work of Strachan with excerpts from Edwards. The positive result is to make Edwards accessible to more people but the negative result is to diminish the power that Edwards wields. Much of what was in this was already familiar to me from biographies of Whitfield, and Edwards (particularly those by Murray and Dodd), as well as writings on the history of the reformation. The brief reference to the life of David Brainerd was good. The Life and Diary of David Brainerd is perhaps the best biographical work ever written.
In short if you haven't read other biographies of Edwards, Whitfield, and Brainerd this is a good place to start. If you have read these other works I'd recommend that you invest elsewhere.
In short if you haven't read other biographies of Edwards, Whitfield, and Brainerd this is a good place to start. If you have read these other works I'd recommend that you invest elsewhere.
December 15, 2017
Excellent short summary of Edwards life in connection with his significant works. Sometimes people deify him, but I appreciate the Strachan's honesty in not overlooking Edwards' human weaknesses like his lack of pastor discernment and people skills. I also benefited from the section at the end of each chapter "Applying Edwards's Life and Ideas." There is some real wisdom in those sections.
Each time I stop to consider Jonathan's life and teaching I am challenged to press on to know and love God. As Strachan mentions after Jonathan's conversion, he "would never again abstractly study God. From this moment on, he would enjoy Him. He would seek to know the Lord, a journey that involved the full capacity of his mind, his emotions, his will."
Each time I stop to consider Jonathan's life and teaching I am challenged to press on to know and love God. As Strachan mentions after Jonathan's conversion, he "would never again abstractly study God. From this moment on, he would enjoy Him. He would seek to know the Lord, a journey that involved the full capacity of his mind, his emotions, his will."
June 27, 2011
Jonathan Edwards was one of the most influental theologians, pastors, and thinkers of the eighteenth century. Thanks to Strachan and Sweeney we now have a accessible way to read about Edward's vision to live a life that glorified God. This book carefully paints Edwards as godly man, but does not indulge in hagiography. He believed in the same Jesus Christ that we do today. He fought the same battles that we do today, yet he lived for God's glory and not his own. I found myself encouraged by his life because it was marked with flaws, tragedy, and yet he loved and glorified God. I can apply Edwards' life and ideas to my own walk with God.
September 7, 2010
The first in the Essential Edwards Collection, Lover of God is an informative, helpful and encouraging introduction to Jonathan Edwards' life and theology. It is accessible, deep and filled with application. For anyone wanting an accessible way to begin to understand America's finest theologian, scholar and preacher, this series is one of the best. I look forward to reading the other four books in the series.
March 31, 2018
#48 out of my goal of 100
The first in a 5-book set, this was very easily-readable. I enjoyed the division in each chapter between biography and exposition of his theology, and then the last section of each chapter that highlighted applying lessons from his theology and life.
It was also refreshing to see a charitable critique of his sins (slavery) and mistakes. It’s a good model for how to acknowledge and discuss the failures of our heroes.
The first in a 5-book set, this was very easily-readable. I enjoyed the division in each chapter between biography and exposition of his theology, and then the last section of each chapter that highlighted applying lessons from his theology and life.
It was also refreshing to see a charitable critique of his sins (slavery) and mistakes. It’s a good model for how to acknowledge and discuss the failures of our heroes.
December 5, 2011
Just wading into the Edwards pool. This brief series looks very promising. This volume was certainly introductory, but very well organized and interesting.
The layout is a combination of biography, outline of thought and devotional. It a very effective introduction, for I get a sense of the man, his work and how to understand the lessons of his life. Very good book.
The layout is a combination of biography, outline of thought and devotional. It a very effective introduction, for I get a sense of the man, his work and how to understand the lessons of his life. Very good book.
July 6, 2013
A solid book and a quick read about this great used man of God. It's the second of the series that I've read and I highly recommend it. Also see my review of "Jonathan Edwards on the Good Life." Keep in mind that this is a short-ish book and not intended to be comprehensive - for indepth coverage of Jonathan Edwards, you cannot go wrong with "Jonathan Edwards: A Life" by George M. Marsden.
March 28, 2018
Been hearing others rave about the positive influence from reading Jonathan Edwards. I’m grateful to Owen Strachan & Doug Sweeney for introducing me to Edwards’ life and writing. This book is the place to start, and I’ll be progressing on to the other four books in this collection in the days ahead as part of my morning devotional time. (My thanks to Matt Chandler for the suggestion!)
November 16, 2010
Great Book to read about Jonathan Edwards it is full of application for us who are living today and how we are to act as believers from the life of John Piper. Probably one of my favorite books as of recent. Nice, Sweet, Short, and to the Point.
August 24, 2016
This is the third book in this series on Jonathan Edwards' theology. However, this book was much more biographical. You can see how much of Edwards' theology was deepened and challenged by his life experiences.
August 22, 2018
This book was a good introduction to Jonathan Edwards' life, ministry, and writing. I knew some of the high points, but that was it before reading. It is pretty basic, but makes me interested in reading the other books in this series and in reading some of Jonathan Edwards' own work.
April 13, 2011
Good simple overview of a great theologians life. It makes me excited to dive deeper into Jonathan Edwards.
July 28, 2011
I really enjoyed this work!
May 2, 2012
This is the first of five volumes introducing the thought and theology of Jonathan Edwards. I look forward to reading the next four.
April 20, 2013
A great introduction to those unfamiliar with Jonathan Edwards.
February 26, 2021
Gives a taste of the life of Edwards and what we can glean from his life, as a pastor-theologian, but first and foremost (and essentially) as a Christian man. The writers are sober about Edwards' shortcomings, but also reflect deeply about his religious affections and how he had lived his life so saturated in God.
June 5, 2022
As someone that does not usually read biographies, this was a lot easier for me to enjoy. It did not get lost in the details of his life, but rather focused on the good that we can learn from in his life. It was short and to the point with application at the end of every chapter.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews