The Religious Affections

I am amazed how often the great work by America's greatest thinker has insight and application to modern church ministry. As a pastor, this work ranks among the top works I have read in understanding the gospel, the work of the Holy Spirit, the nature of genuine salvation. There are three major parts to this work. The first section Edwards defines what a religious affection is and how it is different from what he calls animal affections. This distinction is both necessary for understanding his work, but also is a helplful tonic for insight into today's religious movments and modern worship experiences. In the second section, Edwards develop 12 marks that do not argue for or against the work of the Spirit. The Great Awakening had many excesses and abuses which Edwards neither support the event nor do they necessarilly take away from it. What is interesting about this section is that Edwards is saying that these marks ultimately mean nothing. Yet, most of what is found here is the basis of much of today's evangelical church. In my first reading I kept finding myself saying but this is what I was taught to be Biblical Christianity. Edwards was saying if you have this experience or don't have this experience means is not proof one way or the other about your conversion. In the third section Edwards develops the 12 marks that are truly evidences of the working of the Holy Spirit. This section is extremly helpful for the modern minister. With great care and lengthy development of thought, Edwards walks you through the marks of genuine conversion.Edwards is hard to read for those who are just getting started with him. However, the more you read the easier he becomes. Don't give up too soon - you will get back 10 fold for all the effort you put in. The particular edition you are reading about is easy on the pocket book. If you have limited funds, it is a good way to get started. However, if you are serious about reading Edwards, don't forget to check out the Yale editions. They are very expensive, but the foot notes, extensive introductions, and indexs are worth the extra money.

What can one say about Jonathan Edwards and "The Religious Affections!?" Amazing. After being brought up on Christian book store material such as Lucado, Warren, etc. (who are not bad men, just a little weak), Edwards is a difficult, yet overwhelmingly breath of fresh air.The first section which catalogs signs and things are not necessarily signs of true religious affections goes a little long, but the last section which speaks of our love and actions being the primary evidence of our professed faith will grip you for hours. Amazing.

I'm a minister of music at an evangelical church. Almost every week, I have the conversation with someone "what are the role of emotions in our services and in the Christian's life in general?" (Nobody really asks it THAT way, but you get the idea.)I've come to the point where I won't even begin the conversation without having them read this book. Seriously! Edwards covers ALL the issues in a thorough and practical way.Strap on your thinking cap, but know it's worth it! I read this book every year and God never fails in using it to refocus my heart on Him.

no wonder many consider edwards north america's greatest thinker. like his other works, this volume is priceless. he brilliantly delves into the human psyche, exposing man's emotional needs and their fulfilment in God.