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Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Great Books on Edwards (update)

This coming Sunday I'm teaching on Revivals and Revivalism in the American church. I've been reminded how much I love Jonathan Edwards and thought I'd pass on my favorite Edwards books (by Edwards or on Edwards):

1. Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography, by Iain Murray. It's pretty long, but pretty awesome too! This was my first Edwards book and my favorite still. The only beef is that it's probably a little to rosy.

2. A God Entranced Vision of All Things: The Legacy of Jonathan Edwards, by John Piper and Justin Taylor. Great look at Edwards life, theology and piety. Great chapters include "Sarah Edwards" (his wife), "Pursuing a Passion for God Through the Spiritual Disciplines", and "Trusting the Theology of a Slave Owner" (honesty!). Oh, and does the title sound familiar?

3.God's Passion for His Glory: Living the Vision of Jonathan Edwards (With the Complete Text of The End for Which God Created the World), by John Piper. This book is half Piper's interpretation and explanation of Edwards and half Edwards "The End for which God Created the World". Incredible exposition of the truth that all God does he does for his glory.

4. Jonathan Edwards: A Mini-Theology (John Gerstner (1914-1996)), by John Gerstner. Great introduction to Edwards theology, including his theology of man, sin, atonement, the trinity, salvation (regeneration, justification, salvation) and his eschatology (kingdom, heaven, hell). Missing is much biography - and he was so interesting.

5. Jonathan Edwards' Resolutions: And Advice to Young Converts, edited by Stephen Nichols. Wonderful. Gives you insight into how serious Edwards was, and how serious about joy and Christ. I love this short (40pgs) book.

6. The Religious Affections, by Jonathan Edwards. Hard read, but worth it. The major sections include "the Nature of the affections and their importance in religion" (a great defense of heart religion), "showing what are no certain signs that religious affections are truly gracious, or that they are not" (discussion on what doesn't necessarily mean your affections are holy), "showing what are distinguishing signs of truly gracious and holy affections" (discussion on signs that your affections are truly holy).

7. JONATHAN EDWARDS 1703 - 2003 REFLECTIONS on JONATHAN EDWARDS 300 YEARS LATER, by Desiring God. Too brief, to if you want a short introduction to Edwards (45pgs), it may be worth checking out.

8. The Sermons of Jonathan Edwards: A Reader, edited by Kimnach, Minkema and Sweeney. I am a huge fan of Edwards sermons - much more than his writings. Includes a few of my favorites, like "God Glorified in the Work of Redemption", "The Excellency of Christ", and "Heaven is a World of Love" (also "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God").

9. Altogether Lovely (Great Awakening Writings (1725-1760)), edited by Don Kistler with foreword by RC Sproul. More great sermons, including "Christ Exalted", and "God the Best Portion of the Christian".

10. Praying Together for True Revival (Edwards, Jonathan, Jonathan Edwards for Today's Reader.), edited by TM Moore. Good call to prayer, but his postmillenialism makes it a little hard.

Books I haven't read, but look forward to!

1. Jonathan Edwards: A Guided Tour of His Life and Thought, by Stephen Nichols. I've become a huge fan of Nichols and look forward to reading this soon.

2. Jonathan Edwards: A Life. I've had this for years, but haven't found the time yet. It's more than 600pgs, but Marsden is one of the best historians on Christianity in America. It'll be good, when I get to it.

3. The God-Centered Life: Insights from Jonathan Edwards for Today, by Josh Moody.

4. More sermon collections: The Glory and Honor of God, and The Blessing of God: Previously Unpublished Sermons of Jonathan Edwards, and The Salvation of Souls: Nine Previously Unpublished Sermons on the Call of Ministry and the Gospel by Jonathan Edwards.

5. Oops, I forgot all about the volumes just out, The Essential Edwards Collection: Set of 5 Books and one by Doug Sweeney, my American Church History prof at TEDS, Jonathan Edwards and the Ministry of the Word: A Model of Faith and Thought.

Pick something and Enjoy!

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