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Jonathan Edwards and the Ministry of the Word: A Model of Faith and Thought

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I guess I first heard of Jonathan Edwards in history class. You know, as the man who preached the "most famous sermon in history, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God". If I'm not mistaken, the book also painted Edwards in a fairly negative light, as a "fire and brimstone" preacher who always was angry and breathed wrath at every turn. I'm sure this is how many people view Edwards, because for many the only encounter they have had with him is in history class and when reading that particular sermon.

That's why I'm so grateful for the abundance of books available on Edwards and his family. Douglas A. Sweeney's new book "Jonathan Edwards and the Ministry of the Word" is one of my favorites so far.

In the book Sweeney takes the reader on a quick but thorough tour of Edwards' life with each chapter taking on a different role.

Before the Introduction there is a timetable of significant events in his life, an overview of the Edwards' family members, and a map of Edward's world in New England.

Chapter One: Study to Shew Thyself Approved; Covers the beginning of Edwards' life and education.

Chapter Two: Preach the Word; Takes a look at Edwards' love of preaching, the Puritan preparation and delivery of sermons, and Puritan church life.

Chapter Three: Search the Scriptures: Explores Edwards' love and passion for God's word.

Chapter Four: Try the Spirits; Discusses the role of Spiritualism in Edwards' ministry and the Great Awakening.

Chapter Five: With All Thy Mind; This chapter provides a quick overview of some of Edwards' more well known writings: The Freedom of the Will, Original Sin, and The Two Dissertations.

Chapter Six: As the Waters Cover the Sea; Covers the period of Edwards' life after North Hampton and with the Indians at Stockbridge.

Chapter Seven: The Word of the Lord Endureth Forever; Edwards' brief time at Princeton and the end of his life.

This book is well written, easy to read, and full of great information about Edwards. I believe anyone, whether a Edwards knowledge buff or a newcomer, would benefit from reading this book. I know for me it has increased my curiosity of Jonathan Edwards and left me wanting to read more.

In the last couple of years, several short introductions/brief biographies pertaining to Jonathan Edwards have been published. The impetus behind the publications appears to be a concerted effort to make Edwards more accessible to the average reader, even targeted groups of average readers. Such is the case with Douglas A. Sweeney's new book, Jonathan Edwards and the Ministry of the Word: A Model of Faith and Thought. As he states in the Preface, "I have written [this book] with Christians at the forefront of my mind" (17). Thus, this book is intended for Christians who desire to know more about the man so often deemed "America's greatest theologian." More than simply a biography, however, Jonathan Edwards and the Ministry of the Word, is an intimate look at the lifelong love affair that Jonathan Edwards had with the Bible, a relationship that would permeate every aspect of his life, writings, and ministry.

Sweeney begins the book by examining the place of the Bible in eighteenth century colonial American life. He concludes that the society into which Edwards was born, "may have been the most biblically oriented and literate society in the world" (28), a society thoroughly saturated with the Bible every moment of the day, especially on Sundays. After a brief introduction to Edwards's world, Sweeney moves to a discussion of Edwards's early life in the first chapter, "Study to Shew Thyself Approved." This chapter details Edwards's early experience with the Bible and experimental religion, discussing especially the education Edwards received at home under his father Timothy, and during his collegiate years at Yale. This chapter also includes a discussion of Edwards's conversion to Christianity, his first pastorate in New York City, and some of his earliest writings.

Chapter two, "Preach the Word," opens with Jonathan's arrival in Northampton to become the assistant pastor to the great Solomon Stoddard, later assuming the head pastor position after Stoddard dies in 1729. Here Sweeney gives us an up-close glimpse into Edwards's life as pastor of Northampton: what his days were like, what his relationships with his congregation and with his family were like (I appreciate the very balanced discussion of Edwards's family life, acknowledging how gentle and loving a father and husband he was, but making no pains to gloss over the fact that Jonathan Edwards was also a slave owner), and what he was like as a preacher, in structure, rhetoric, and mannerisms. "Search the Scriptures," the third chapter of the book, narrows into a more focused look at Edwards's intimate relationship with the Bible. It brings a rare discussion of Edwards's exegetical methods, how he viewed the inspiration of Scripture, and the meticulous way in which he interpreted and applied Scripture in his ministry and writings.

Such application would come into controversy during the years of the Great Awakening revivals, which is the primary subject of chapter four, "Try the Spirits." This chapter discusses the experimental religion aspect of Edwards's thought and writings. In other words, it discusses Edwards's answer to the question, "How does the Holy Spirit work in the life of a Christian, especially at conversion?" Chapter four ends with the sad tale of Edwards's dismissal from the church at Northampton. Chapter five, "With All Thy Mind," shifts the narrative away from the more practical elements of Edwards's theology to the more theoretical and doctrinal. It discusses Edwards's heaviest treatises, including Freedom of the Will, Original Sin, and Edwards's two dissertations, The End for Which God Created the World and The Nature of True Virtue. But though these works are quite heady and hard to grasp, Sweeney does a remarkable job helping the reader better understand what Edwards was attempting to do through them.

Chapter six, "As the Waters Cover the Sea," examines the post-Northampton years of Edwards's life, including his work as a missionary to the Stockbridge Indians, and his brief stint as President of The College of New Jersey (later, Princeton) before his death in 1758. Most notable in this chapter is Sweeney's discussion of Edwards's influence and impact on modern missionary efforts, especially with the publication of his Life of David Brainerd. The final chapter of the book is entitled, "The Word of the Lord Endureth Forever." Its focus is the legacy of Jonathan Edwards in the centuries since his death, including his impact on theological development before and after the American Revolution, his influence on nineteenth century American literature, and brief mention of his legacy today, very much alive in the resurgence of Reformed Theology taking place in Evangelical circles.

This final chapter concludes with seven theses that Douglas Sweeney offers on how to live today using insights learned from the life and ministry of Jonathan Edwards. These theses are quite helpful and are alone worth the price of the book. As he states in the introduction of the book, the point is not to impose eighteenth century religious life on twenty-first century Christians, but instead to see how modern Christians can foster the type of Bible-soaked spiritual lives that Jonathan Edwards was known for.

All in all, this book is a very fine introduction to Edwards and his ministry. If there are any faults in this book, it may be that it's too brief! This especially pertains to chapter three, the chapter that closely examined Edwards's relationship with the Bible. This area of Edwards's work is sorely lacking in scholarly examination. I realize that such an examination is outside the purpose of the present volume, but there was enough of a tease that it left me wanting much more on this subject.

One of the biggest strengths of this book is that it is a spiritual biography that doesn't end up in hagiography. Sweeney paints a realistic portrait of Edwards, warts and all, which is so vital in looking at saints from the past. It's important to remember that, though they accomplished great things, they were human just as modern Christians are, all susceptible to the same faults and sins. Another strength of this book is that Sweeney accomplishes what he set out to do, and that is to present to Christians an account of Edwards's life and work with an emphasis on how much Scripture influenced and guided everything that Edwards did. Such an accomplishment makes this volume one of the most approachable for the modern churchgoer who may have been intimidated by reading about an eighteenth century figure who lived in a world seemingly quite different from her own. This book would be perfect for church small groups and Sunday School classes who have an interest in church history or learning more about America's greatest theologian.

Jonathan Edwards and the Ministry of the Word by Douglas A Sweeney, IVP Academic 2009

This review first appeared on [...] and is used with permission.

The number of books produced on Jonathan Edwards in the last twenty years would fill a small library. New works on his writings, personal life, even the types of ink he used, are still coming into print, threatening to swamp bookstores and libraries. Yet this volume deserves to be purchased, read and passed along to those who are followers of Edwards and especially those yet unacquainted.

To those who know Edwards well, there is little new here. Nonetheless, the lively writing, Sweeney's particular focus on Edwards' ministry of the Word of God, and the overall affection of Sweeney's treatment will warm the heart of any Edwards groupie. It is even possible that Sweeny may introduce a new slant to one's thinking or present a heretofore undiscovered fact.

To those who have somehow entirely missed the Edwards Academic Onslaught and remain uninitiated into its hallowed halls this may well be the best general introduction to the man, his life, times and thought. Why so?

Dr. Sweeney presumes nothing and teaches much. The opening chapters are highly engaging, largely biographical and very accessible. The depth and difficulty increases as the books develops. But herein lies the genius of the work. Sweeney tells his readers all they need to know in order to understand even the deepest of concepts (2/3 of the way through the book Sweeney spends six pages on Edwards' Freedom of the Will - a most challenging work - made user-friendly by Sweeney's deft analysis and explanation).

Throughout the work Sweeney presumes his reader will have no previous knowledge of Edwards, his day or his predecessors and therefore helps the Edwards newbie wade though theological terms (Arminian vs. Calvinist), colonial dating (Gregorian Calendar) and sermon preparation (intricacies of medieval exegesis), all without being tedious or pedantic. At times he does this in the text itself, in an engaging way, but more often than not, the help, and the scholarship, is in the footnotes.

For those wanting go deeper, Sweeny provides the links. The lengthy footnotes pack the pages leading the budding scholar to places unimaginable. Wanting to dig deeper into Edwards writings?, Sweeney cites not only the texts and the manuscripts for further study but even their location (folder 1211, box 16, JE collections, Beinecke Library, Yale). These detailed roads signs announce treasure troves yet to be explored. Wanting to know more about music in colonial churches, the books on Edwards' shelves, Edwards and Biblical higher criticism - it's all there in the footnotes. One example: Sweeney mentions that very little work has been done on Edwards and prayer then proceeds to cite five works specifically on Edwards and prayer and four general works on the Puritans and prayer. Very little indeed when compared to the amount of writing on Edwards and other topics, but a rich collection nonetheless!

It appears Sweeney wants to write an introduction to Edwards but does not want to forget his academic friends. Sweeney is one of the top Edwards scholars in the world. He obviously enjoys Edwards, but this is not hagiography. He deals honestly with Edwards's failures, his ownership of slaves for example. (As J.I. Packer said of Richard Baxter - "he was a great man and great men have great faults").

Sweeney is able to include in this brief work (200 pages) several points that have only recently been brought to light by scholars. Example: Edwards's great interest in missions, indeed his sparking of the modern mission movement by his labors and writings, esp. the biography of David Brainerd.
A few time I cringed at Sweeney's language. It appears that he may be attributing the power behind the 1734/5, 1740s revivals to Edwards or other men, "these spiritual practices yielded a transformation", and "he led the great revival". Edwards would have given all credit and glory to God and would be amazed to think he "led" anything in those heady and tumultuous days of revival.

Also, is it not anachronistic to refer to Sarah Edwards as "slain in the spirit"? Sweeny (in the footnote) admits it is a modern term, with different connotations and meaning - so my question - why use the term? It may wrongly combine disparate experiences.

Finally, is it proper to say that when Edwards added a portion of a one of his previous sermons into another he was "cannibalizing a manuscript"? But I am nit picking. On the whole this is a wonderful read, very accessible, highly engaging and a book you can pass along to almost anyone.
If you want to read a fuller biography of Edwards, pick up George Marsden's or Iain Murray's work. If you want a work more narrowly focused (in a positive sense) on his preaching, read John Carrick. But if you are looking for an excellent introduction to Edwards' life and writings, this is it.

Reviewed by Robert E. Davis, Senior pastor, Draper's Valley PCA, Draper, VA.

I just finished Sweeney's book. It covers a lot of terrain in rather brief compass (200 pages). Sweeney is a well-known scholar on all things Edwards and it shows in this book. The scholarship, though evident, does not compromise the readability and edification of the book. The author does a marvelous job of demonstrating why Edwards ought to be on our spiritual radar screens today.

Highly recommended!

It is the first book that I have read about Jonathan Edwards. I heard about it watching the Pastor as Scholar, Scholar as Pastor videos online. I was amazed by his conviction of the centrality of God in all things and how that affected his life. The book is well written and easy to read. It was the first of many books on the life and works of Jonathan Edwards for me.

This particular biography of Jonathan Edwards is incredibly insightful and thought provoking. If you don't have the time to go through Edwards' works yourself, this book, with the (optional) addition of John Piper's biography, will be sufficient for you to be familiar with Edwards as he was.

That being said, I think that there is one issue with this biography: at a couple places, Sweeney inserts his own opinions of certain subjects, and critiques Edwards by that standard, rather than letting Edwards speak for himself. One example is that Sweeney severely critiques Edwards for having a slave (and that is a critique which I would agree with), but rather than allowing us to see how Edwards treated his slave, Sweeney practically insults Edwards. However, Sweeney then goes on to say that it was Edwards who was a grandfather of sorts to the abolitionist movement (with many of Edwards descendant being leaders in that movement).

On the whole, though, I can't recommend any other biography over this one, as this one seems to paint Edwards most clearly as what he was: A sinner saved by the grace of God who had warts that were the result of the culture he was raised in.

If your not into Jonathan Edwards stuff this is a very good book to start with. Can be read in a day. And its well written. The introduction on its own is worth the book. You'll want to know more about these 18th century people, cause Swenney will transport you the time when Edwards ministered. Starting there he'll show aspects of Edwards that in other books are overlooked or simply neglected.

Thats all I'll write about the book. For if you're a Jonathan Edwards fan or admirer, whatever, you'll love this book. So buy it! Won't regret it.

I just finished a class this semester taught by the author of this book, Douglas Sweeney. This book was one of the required readings. Douglas Sweeney's personality and teaching style shines through in this book. Both the author and the book are informative, pastoral, and passionate.

Douglas Sweeney does an excellent job of correcting some of the incorrect stereotypes that a lot of people have when they think of Jonathan Edwards. Sweeney shows that Edwards was a passionate and well-thought of preacher and pastor. Edwards did care for his church members and hosted many counseling sessions at his home. People thought of his preaching as passionate, thought-provocative and life-transformative. The mischaracterizations of Edwards occurred through the selective focus of his one sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" which is assigned in most high schools and through some unhelpful biographies of Edwards.

Another important aspect of this book is that Douglas Sweeney takes us into the historical and cultural context of Edwards and his times. This is very helpful for understanding Edwards' ministry philosophy and ministry practices.

I highly recommend reading this book. I just assigned this book myself for a special study of Jonathan Edwards from a Reformed Perspective at my church.

Jonathan Edwards is probably the most influential theologian that the USA has ever produced. His writings are still studied today. They are still influencing and helping form the minds of present day pastor-theologians. He is still respected in the conservative evangelical realm of scholarship. In fact, his influence probably extends far beyond that.
Edwards lived in a time change-great change. The country was changing. The churches were changing. Theological ideas were changing. Edwards was convinced that the Word of God was still relevant. This book speaks of these convictions and how they were expressed in Edwards' life and preaching.
Edwards was influenced by Scripture from a very young age. Actually, the influence began before he was born, as his father was a minister, as was his grandfather.
Edwards' life was a life in which the Word of God played a great part. He took God's Word seriously even as a child.
As a young teenager he enrolled in what became Yale University. He graduated while still a teenager. During those years Edwards came to value the Scriptures even more than before.
As time went on Edwards moved on to pastor in the New York area. He ministered the Word. About this time was when much of his Resolutions were written. His Resolutions were simply a way of expressing his desire to live with all of his might according to Scripture and to the glory of God.
In his early twenties Edwards went to Northampton to be associate pastor with his grandfather Solomon Stoddard. He would stay in Northampton for over twenty years. His ministry there was marked by a careful attention to the Word. Edwards preached the Word.
When the awakening came (The Great Awakening), Edwards had a great part in it. It was fueled by Biblical preaching.
When the awakening became characterized by excess in some areas, Edwards defended the revival while rebuking the excessive ones. He did this with the Word of God.
When his Biblical convictions concerning the Lord's table caused his union with the Northampton church to be dissolved, Edwards continued to write and minister the Word.
He later went to a mission for the Indians and ministered the Word. It was during this time that much writing was done. Again, this writing ministered the Word of God to the masses.
Edwards ended his life as a minsiter of the Word who had gone to help educate others in the task of ministry.
Sweeney has done a very good job with this book. He brings the reader in to the story and helps the reader sympathize with Edwards while still seeing that he erred from time to time.
I am convinced that this book will be helpful to those who desire to minister the Word. It is not about how to preach as far a homiletical style (though I am glad the Edwards has been relieved of the myth of speaking in a monotone), but is about having a passion for the Word that will cause us to be resolute, humble, passionate for the glory of God, and willing to endure for God's glory.
I highly recommend this book.

I recommend this book wholeheartedly for both the pastor and the scholar--especially for the pastor-scholar! Doug Sweeney writes in his signature crystal-clear style that is both cogent and deep. If you want a combination of incredible accessibility and the highest scholarship, this book is for you. I will never view Jonathan Edwards the same.