A Divine Light: The Spiritual Leadership of Jonathan Edwards

Reviewed by Mary Simmons for Reader Views (2/07) "A Divine Light: The Spiritual Leadership of Jonathan Edwards" by David Vaughan is the latest of the "Leaders in Action" series published by Cumberland House. In three parts Vaughan portrays how the life, character and legacy of Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) have shaped religious thought in North America. He also includes a chronology of Edwards' life and lessons of leadership. Edwards is recognized as a prominent religious thinker of the Colonial era. He was the pastor of an influential New England congregation and a driving force behind the revival of 1734-1735 and the Great Awakening of 1740-1741. He was also a prolific writer, defending his thoughts on theology, philosophy and morality. Although Edwards is described as, "the awakening's leading proponent," Vaughan makes it clear that the man was aware of the valid reasons why some questioned its authenticity and value. He spoke out against fanatics whose errors in judgment and practice gave the whole movement a bad name, but said these "stumbling blocks" were not sufficient reason to denounce the revival. According to Vaughan, it was Edwards's opinion that the good of leading souls to Christ outweighed the darker side of Satan's intervention in the process. Throughout the book, Vaughan shares Edwards' thoughts on ministerial duties, offering nuggets of wisdom drawn from the pastor's life and writings. Edwards took his responsibility as a minister very seriously and urged others who followed the calling of God to do the same. Vaughan attributes him as saying, "A minister by his office is to be the guide and instructor of his people. To that end he is to study and search the Scriptures and to teach the people...the mind of Christ. As he is set to enlighten them, so a part of his duty is to rectify their mistakes, and, if he sees them out of the way of truth or duty, to be a voice behind them, saying `This is the way, walk ye in it.'" "A Divine Light" is a portrayal of one man's struggles to walk in the light of God in the path set before him by his divine ruler. Vaughan depicts a man who had to deal with betrayal, heartache and a relentless need to devote his life to God. He was often self-deprecating, appearing to feel himself unworthy to act as a conduit of God's word. He read and studied the Bible and great theological works with the purpose of learning and teaching others, surrendering everything for his religious work. Vaughan observes that, "God received the offering and used Edwards' life to bring multitudes to a saving knowledge of Christ and also to edify the body of Christ for ages to come." For anyone who wants to read about the life of a man who was fully devoted to his God and his fellow man, this is the book for you. Edwards is a fine example of what it means to be a Christian and "A Divine Light" is a wonderful glimpse into his thoughts and ideology.