Book Review: Jonathan Edwards And The Ministry of The Word
Jonathan Edwards And The Ministry of The Word
Douglas A. Sweeney
ISBN: 978-0-8308-3851-6
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.