Tag Archives: jonathan edwards

Overwhelmed by a glimpse of the beauty of God

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In his introduction to “Understanding Jonathan Edwards,” Gerald McDermott describes Edwards’ view of true religion:

“Therefore, the essence of true religious experience is to be overwhelmed by a glimpse of the beauty of God, to be drawn to the glory of his perfections, and to sense his irresistible love…We can become so enthralled by the beauty that we lose consciousness of self and self-interest and become absorbed by the magnificent object. So also we can become drawn out of self-absorption by the power of the beauty of a truly lovable person. Our hearts are changed by an irresistible power. But this power gently lures; it does not coerce. Edwards taught that our eyes are opened when we are captivated by the beautiful love and glory of God in Christ, when we see this love most powerfully demonstrated in Christ’s sacrificial love for the undeserving. Then we feel forced to abandon love for self as the central principle of our lives and turn to the love of God.”

If you are looking for a quick intro to Edwards’ theology, McDermott’s introductory chapter acts like a wedge in a doorway giving a brief view of the complex brilliance within. If you want a view of the room with the door completely removed, check out McDermott and McClymond’s new Theology of Jonathan Edwards (for anyone local: McClymond is lecturing tomorrow night (02/09) at 7:30 at Roanoke College).

Of course, you could step into the Edwardsean room and look around. I’m reading Religious Affections if anyone wants to join in! (you can buy the new Yale-published paperback here for $20)

Optical illusions in the history of redemption

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One of the things I appreciate most about Jonathan Edwards was his rich use of illustrations. This fit with his view that the Old Testament and the created world was full of illustrations (or types) of Christ: “when we are delighted with flowery meadows and gentle breezes of wind, we may consider that we only see the emanations of the sweet benevolence of Jesus Christ; when we behold the fragrant rose and lily, we see his love and purity…” (from his Miscellanies).

As I was reading The Theology of Jonathan Edwards I came across an illustration that I think sheds a lot of light on the progress of the work of redemption (Edwards viewed all of history as displaying Christ’s redemption; from creation to the end of time): “the universe is the chariot in which [Christ] rides, and makes progress towards the last end of all things on the wheels of his providence…[at times] the under part of the wheel of a chariot seems to run backward, but it is not so.” When the world around us, and the church within the world, seem to be moving Christ’s work of redemption backward, it is really just like the rims of a car (probably easier to picture than a chariot!) that appear to be moving backward when the car itself is moving forward. What a great illustration of Christ riding his work-of-redemption chariot unstoppably onward.