Customer Reviews

Jonathan Edwards (Men of Faith)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

This biography of the great Puritan, Jonathan Edwards, is a scholarly yet sympathetic account of the man who was at the heart of the Great Awakening. Edwards was a pastor, theologian, philosopher and author whose influence on American history and the Christian community cannot be denied. The book is well-written and enjoyable to read with much documentation of Edwards' writings and correspondence. Any student of American history, as well as any Christian, will benifit from study of this inspiring man.

It is uplifting to read a biography of Jonathan Edwards from a Godly, rather than detached, perspective. If investigating the lives of earlier saints is worthwhile at all, it is worth doing so prayerfully and with a full awareness of the glory of God. This is something that David Vaughan achieves well.

If you want a biography of Jonathan Edwards which goes into greater depth, then I'd recommend Iain Murray's Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography. However, the book at hand is a great appetiser.

On finishing this book, why not continue to expand our knowledge of the Great Awakening by reading some biographies of some other preachers and hymn-writers? i.e. George Whitefield, John Newton, Isaac Watts, John Wesley and Charles Wesley.

Thoroughly recommended. 5 stars over and over.

This well-written biography is an excellent account of the life and times of the philospher-theologian, Jonathan Edwards. The much maligned Puritan outlook is examined in the sympathetically truthful light of a modern day pastor. This book explains the renowned "Great Awakening," with an emphasis on Edwards' role in this revival and his thoughts about the revival. The author demonstrates solid scholarship by making extensive use of source documents of Edwards and his contemporaries.

Jonathan Edwards is a moving depiction of a great man of devotion.

"Jonathan Edwards - Men Of Faith" is a readable title by David Vaughan about one of the main characters of the Great Awakening that took place in the New England and Middle Colonies in the early-mid 1700's.

Among the areas covered include:

1. Edwards' early life and Christian conversion.
2. College years at Yale.
3. Various churches pastored.
4. Controversies with his Northampton congregation.
5. Very happy married and family life.
6. Various other pastors he ministered with.
7. Days as president of Princeton University and last days.

The narrative flowed freely and I enjoyed reading about one of America's greatest preachers.

Recommended.