Join us as we explore the life and legacy of Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758), a central figure in American religious history. Often regarded as America's greatest evangelical theologian, Edwards's work remains highly influential.
This episode delves into Edwards's personal piety, which the sources describe more narrowly as devotional piety—acts and habits of Christian devotion aimed at a deeper knowledge and experience of God. His piety was expressed through spiritual disciplines like prayer, Bible study, fasting, withdrawal to solitude, and family worship. Edwards dedicated significant time daily to his study, revealing a profoundly introspective man, as seen in his Diary and Personal Narrative.
Edwards ministered during a period of significant spiritual renewal, playing a key role in the Great Awakening. However, he also faced controversy, particularly regarding church membership standards and the Half-way Covenant, a debate inherited from his grandfather Solomon Stoddard. His reclusive nature and intense focus sometimes strained his relationships with his congregation, ultimately leading to his dismissal from Northampton.
References
Abigail Smith Adams. (2015). National Women’s History Museum. www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/abigail-smith-adams.
About the Correspondence between John and Abigail Adams. (n.d.). Massachusetts Historical Society..Note: This entry is incomplete as the provided source excerpt does not include the author (likely the Massachusetts Historical Society), a specific publication or update date, or a URL.
Crane, J. L. H. (2022). Analysis: Letters of Abigail Adams to John Adams. In EBSCO Research Starters..Note: This entry is for a database resource. Access typically requires a subscription or login.
Female: Abigail would grow to be the equal of John Adams as confidante and dearest friend. (n.d.). C-SPAN..Note: This entry is incomplete as the provided source excerpt does not include a specific date for the program or a URL for the transcript/summary.
Jonathan Edwards (theologian). (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved [Date of retrieval], from [URL]..Note: This entry is incomplete as the provided source excerpt does not include the specific date you retrieved the page or the URL.
Marsden, G. M. (2008). A short life of Jonathan Edwards. Eerdmans..
McClymond, M. J. (1998). Encounters with God: An approach to the theology of Jonathan Edwards. Oxford University Press..
Nichols, S. J. (2018, July). Jonathan Edwards and the First Great Awakening. Tabletalk Magazine..Note: This entry is incomplete as the provided source excerpt does not include a URL or specific page numbers for the article.
Ray, C. (2023). Make Your Spiritual New Year's Resolutions Stick. Cara Ray's..Note: This entry is incomplete as the provided source excerpt does not include a URL.
Remember the Ladies: Recounting the Pen of Abigail Adams. (n.d.). Troy University Journals..Note: This entry is incomplete as the provided source excerpt does not include the author, date, volume/issue number, page numbers, or URL/DOI.
Revised Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards. (2012, January). GRACE & PEACE..Note: This entry is incomplete as the provided source excerpt does not include the author or a URL.
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved [Date of retrieval], from [URL]..Note: This entry is incomplete as the provided source excerpt does not include the specific date you retrieved the page or the URL.
Strachan, O., & Sweeney, D. A. (2010). Jonathan Edwards, lover of God. Moody Publishers..
Whitney, D. S. (2014). Finding God in solitude: The personal piety of Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758) and its influence on his pastoral ministry. Peter Lang..
