Jonathan Edwards: A Guided Tour of His Life and Thought [Paperback]

Stephen J. Nichols (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 12, 2001

Jonathan Edwards, a leader in the Great Awakening during the eighteenth century, still has much to teach the church. Evangelicals are rediscovering him through the efforts of several authors (John Gerstner, Iain Murray, Harry Stout, and others) and publishers (Banner of Truth, Soli Deo Gloria, and Crossway). Stephen Nichols offers Jonathan Edwards "as an introduction, a gateway into the vast and rewarding life, thought, and writings of Jonathan Edwards." He intends it for anyone who wants to read Edwards but who needs a little help.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Stephen J. Nichols (M.A.R. and Ph.D., Westminster Theoloical Seminary; M.A. West Chester University) is an associate professor at Lancaster Bible College and Graduate School. A member of the Evanelical Theological Society, he chairs the society's Jonathan Edwards Study Group.

Product Details

• Paperback: 247 pages
• Publisher: P & R Publishing (October 12, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875521940
• ISBN-13: 978-0875521947
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,131,957 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

STEPHEN J. NICHOLS (PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary) is research professor of Christianity and culture at Lancaster Bible College and Graduate School. He has written several books, including Pages from Church History. He lives with his wife and two sons in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Entry-Level Introduction, January 3, 2005

By 

Tim Challies (Oakville, Ontario) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jonathan Edwards: A Guided Tour of His Life and Thought (Paperback)

Jonathan Edwards: A Guided Tour of His Life and Thought by Stephen J. Nicholas was at the same time excellent and disappointing. The disappointment was my fault and in no way reflects upon the book or the author, for I had begun reading it with unfair expectations. I had not read the cover carefully and thus I thought I was buying a short biography of Edwards and that is not what this book is. After I came to realize what the book was intended to be, I enjoyed it thoroughly. And in this way it was excellent. Despite not being a biography it contained all sorts of great information about Edwards and about the events and writings that shaped his life. It is, as it says in the title, a guided tour to his life and thoughts more than a chronological ordering of the events of his life. More than a biography, this is a gateway into the thoughts, writings and theology of this great man of God.

In the introduction Nichols writes that the book "is not an end in itself; it is not a substitute for reading Edwards. It is intended to help anyone who, like me, has wanted to read Edwards and even has tried to read him, but needs a little help." It might also be said that this book is not a substitute for reading a thorough biography of the man. Later Nicholas says "My hope is that this book will help you to see the relevance and importance of Edward's thought and that through these pages Edwards will help you, as he has helped so many others, to better understand God, his Word, his work in this world, and your place in it." In this regard, the book and the author succeed admirably.

The format of the book is as follows. It is divided into four sections. The first section, comprising two chapters is dedicated to a short overview of his life, from his upbringing in a Christian home to his untimely death from a failed smallpox innoculation. The following three parts, each comprised of three or four chapters, examine his writings and sermons. Part two examines his writings on revival and church life, part three his writings on theology and philosophy and part four several of his sermons. Each is presented in the appropriate historical context and is examined in light of the impact it had in his day and in its ongoing relevance to the church today.

This book is a solid entry-level introduction to Jonathan Edwards, and in particular, to his contribution to Christian thought and theology. I give it my recommendation, not as an alternative to his writings or biographies, but, as it was meant to be, a supplement.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A First..., November 28, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Jonathan Edwards: A Guided Tour of His Life and Thought (Paperback)

This is an excellent book on the life of Jonathan Edwards. Dr. Nichols did an incredible job of depicting his life and thought...reflecting on what it was to be one of the most influential theologians ever!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book on a Great Man of God!, December 23, 2004

By 

Michael Taylor "Michael Taylor" (Indian Trail NC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jonathan Edwards: A Guided Tour of His Life and Thought (Paperback)

Nichols has written an excellent book on the ministry of Jonathan Edwards and will enlighten the reader on how a godly many Edwards really was.

While the book delves somewhat into his personal life, the majority of the text involves his writings on revival, church life, theology, and philosophy.

While I would recommend Iain Murray's book on Edwards for more personal information on the man, I still recommend Nichols' book on what Edwards thought.

An excellent read for knowing more about one of America's greatest theologians!

Highly recommended!