Signs of the Spirit: An Interpretation of Jonathan Edwards's "Religious Affections"

by Sam Storms

Jonathan Edwards's treatise Religious Affections is widely considered the most important and accurate analysis of religious experience ever written. Unfortunately, many well-intentioned readers sit down with Religious Affections, only to give up in frustration over Edwards's lofty style and complex argumentation. For this reason Sam Storms, one of evangelicalism's experts on Edwards, has attempted to bridge the gap between how Edwards said what he did in the eighteenth century and how he might say it today. In Signs of the Spirit he articulates the substance of Edwards's arguments in a more understandable way. The point is not to "dumb down" Jonathan Edwards but to make his work accessible to a wider audience. This volume serves those both in and outside the academic realm as valuable preparation for, or as a companion guide to, a reading of Edwards's Religious Affections.

Genres: Theology, Christian, College, Christian Living, Spirituality, Christianity

240 pages, Paperback

First published June 27, 2007

About the author

(Some early works written as C. Samuel Storms)

Sam has spent 39 years in ministry as a pastor, professor and author. He was visiting Associate Professor of Theology at Wheaton College from 2000-2004, and is currently Lead Pastor for Preaching and Vision at Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City. He has authored 22 books and founded Enjoying God Ministries. He's a graduate of The University of Oklahoma (B.A.), Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M) and The University of Texas (Ph.D.). He and his wife Ann have been married for 40 years and are the parents of two grown daughters and have four grandchildren. On a more personal level, Sam loves baseball, books, movies, and anything to do with the Oklahoma Sooners.

Reviews

[nate]

It took me months to read this book, but what a worthwhile labor it has been. I have always been intimidated by the writings of Jonathan Edwards, but Storms did a fantastic job of making Edwards accessible, warm, and exhilarating. I would heartily recommend this as a gateway into Jonathan Edwards and that is a gate that should be opened.

[Henry Oakley]

Thanks Jarrett for recommending this book to read alongside Religious Affections!

"Good works are a threat to divine grace only if they are the price we pay to gain it, not if they are the sign of its presence" (151).

[Alessandro Russo]

Very dense at times but also insightful. Reading about Edward’s understanding about Spiritual affections was helpful and inspiring.

[Brandon H.]

This is a fantastic book! I've always enjoyed books that were both convicting and edifying; books that drive me to my knees and quicken me to hunger and thirst for more of God but at the same time leave me feeling closer to God for having read them. This one fit the bill.

The first section focuses on discerning the authentic signs of true Christian conversion as well as the signs that many assume are authentic but, in fact, may not be. The second part of the book focuses on the personal spirituality of Jonathan Edwards. Both sections were excellent!

One thing that surprised me was that Edwards, being a cessationist, not only experienced what some would consider supernatural events in his own walk with God, but he also at times seem to promote them.

I especially liked that Storms interpreted Edwards in such a way that most modern readers would find it easy to digest what this great saint had written centuries ago.

Here's a few quotes -

"It is as much an error to dismiss affections entirely as unimportant to the reality of true religion as it is to focus on high affections without regard to their source or nature. Satan is happy with either error. He would as much have us fall into a lifeless formality as he would that we be stirred and energized by affections unrelated to truth." (Pg 56)

"When God finally brings all into judgment, those who are cast into hell will see everything of God except the beauty of his holiness. They will see and know his power and wisdom and knowledge and strength and greatness and majesty and eternity and immutability and justice and righteousness, but they will find or sense or see relish no beauty in them.

"But the regenerate see the beauty and glory and relish the sweetness of all such divine perfections. Indeed, this is what 'will melt and humble the hearts of men, and wean them from the world, and draw them to God, and eventually change them. A sight of the awful greatness of God may overpower men's strength, and be more than they can endure. But if the moral beauty of God be hid, the enmity of the heart will remain in its full strength, no love will be enkindled, all will not be effectual to gain the will, but that will remain inflexible, whereas the first glimpse of the moral and spiritual glory of God shining into the heart, produces all these effects, as it were with omnipotent power, which nothing can withstand.'" (Pg 96)

"Whatever joy we experience in heaven will forever grow. Whatever pleasures we feel will forever deepen. We will never fully and finally arrive, as if once we have tasted such sweet delights we will have exhausted their capacity to satisfy our souls. It will only get better, forever. It will only taste sweeter, forever. It will only appear more beautiful, forever. With each joyful encounter we will have touched only a small measure of an even greater, perpetual, infinite, and eternal increase!" (Pg 180)

"As God reveals yet more and more of his nature and ways throughout the course of eternity, our minds are correspondingly, ever more filled, our hearts are, correspondingly, ever more overwhelmed. With each new disclosure of splendor, with each new revelation of beauty, our enjoyment of him deepens and our gratitude grows and our delight deepens." (Pg 182)

[Ren]

A thorough self-check on what the presence of the Holy Spirit should look and feel like. Excellent.

[Kenny Keahey]

I appreciate Mr. Storms modern interpretation of Jonathan Edwards' Religious Affections. The modern language made it so much more enjoyable to read!

[Allie Fullerton (thelightfilledreader)]

Mixed feelings about this book. I did not appreciate the author's harsh criticism at the beginning. I agree with him that people old and young have lost the ability to read, especially hard books. So many people only read silly books if they read at all and it saddens me. But I think Sam Storms took it too far. Not everyone is a reader. And not all of us that do read went to Harvard. We're going to struggle with hard books, and that's okay.
And this book was a hard book. I feel like I didn't understand Part 1 at all. And in the parts that I did understand the same themes and lessons were repeated over and over again in each chapter. Thankfully each chapter was mercifully short.
But Part 2 was amazing. It was easy to understand and I learned so much from the glimpses into Jonathan Edwards' life. I was encouraged, blessed, and convicted.

[richard]

Signs of the Spirit: An Interpretation of Jonathan Edwards's "Religious Affections" ~ Sam Storms

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5

I can see where John Piper gets his influence from. Reading this book was like reading John Piper, they are identical in many ways. This book can be a hard read but for the Christian it is a great book to look into the signs of a converted soul. Johnathan Edwards takes us through 12 signs of a genuine converted soul. Warning reading this could make you question your salvation, for those whom are mature in faith, they can read this to examine themselves and to see if they hold any of the signs that Johnathan Edwards gives. Jesus himself told us that by their fruits you will know them, this book therefore can be a big help to a soul longing to know if they genuinely belong to Christ.

[Mathew Reames]

This was a great companion for the original "Religious Affections" by Jonathan Edwards. It shouldn't replace the original but helps to bring the original into the modern context and adds to its beauty.

[Brad Neece]

If you have trouble working your way through Edward’s “Religious Affections,” pick up Storms’s excellent book, and dive into the profound and biblical insights of one of the world’s greatest and most important theologians.

[Steve Linskens]

2nd time reading this book. It can be difficult reading Edwards, in general, without a guide. Whether you've read much of Edwards or are just beginning to get your feet wet, this is a great place to start.

[Josh Keatley]

Emotional spiritual experiences do not always mean that God is working in someone’s heart. Rather God uses emotions to work in believers hearts to live out godly lives.

[Nate]

Really enjoy this one very practical.

[Tim Magwood]

An excellent summary of Religious Affections if you don’t have the bandwidth to sit down and digest Edwards. Some interesting commentary on Edwards personal testimony too.

[Alessandra]

I was very pleasantly surprised with this book. When I first picked it up it was for a course in seminary.. And I'm happy that it got assigned as reading because I'm not sure I would have picked this book up on my own. Edwards is incredibly insightful and there is so much depth to his words. Storms does a magnificent job of explain Edwards words while letting them maintain their impact. At certain times Storms goes more in depth .. But nevertheless it was an amazing read. Definitely challenged and convicted me in my own personal walk with God.

I'm excited to pick this up again in the future.

[Sarah Norton]

I recommend reading this book at least twice. I first read it in 2019 and didn't fare very well. I struggled with the langauge and fully understanding Storms interpretations, I skimmed large portions of the book looking for summary points.

After reading it a second time I understand so much more! I slowed down and read every word and I underlined more. It was still a challenging read and I don't fully understand all the points and arguments made but I understand far more than I did the first time.

[Cody Alan]

Absolutely Excellent. Storms does wonderfully. As one who has always shied away from Edwards, this draws me closer then ever before. The book ends with this "Don't swallow up God's law like castor oil. For when you understand his intent, it will be like honey on your lips and refreshment to your soul, and duty will appear "sweet and blessed" beyond all comparison." Excited to read Edwards more in full.

[Devin]

Sam Storms does an excellent job of relating Jonathan Edwards' mature reflections on the First Great Awakening. This book will, at times, leave you doubting whether or not you are actually saved, but in the end, believers can use this as a way to fight for joy in their lives.

[Larry]

Deep, hard read. Storms helped me to comprehend a very difficult, but immensely edifiying classic. And convicting. As relevant today as it was 3 centuries ago in considering the genuine work of the Spirit.

[Marliss Bombardier]

Excellent book, one I read again, and no doubt again after that.

[John Root]

Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards, made much more accessible. One of the most spiritually convicting/challenging books I've ever read.

[Warren Sibley]

finding it helpful to read alongside Edwards

[Lisa Wenzel]

This is a good companion book to Jonathan Edwards' The Religious Affections.