Erik Raymond posts a helpful assessment on the contemporary use of Jonathan Edwards Resolutions:
'The writings of Jonathan Edwards are enjoying a refreshing resurgence in our day, particularly among younger people. However, is it spiritually healthy to try to emulate the resolutions of this giant?
I really firmly believe that Edwards understood and regularly marinated his mind in the refreshing truth of the gospel. When you read him you see that his joy is inextricably linked to what God has done in and through Christ.
However, (and here is my concern) the propensity of the human heart to attach itself to rules and regulations for righteousness is an ever intimidating and sobering reality. We want to be active doing– so that we feel like we are– something. And the scary thing for me as both a pastor and someone who wants to pursue holiness is that we see the rules and don’t see the gospel. In other words we are so in awe of a guy like Edwards and his radical committment to Christ that we miss the joy producing, life transforming power of Christ himself and his radical committment to sinners like us.
This is a devestating error. We end up trying to be like Edwards instead of Jesus and we are depressed and dejected when we don’t measure up.
So what do we do? Do we pitch Edwards? Do we disparage those who love to read him? Of course not. Instead, we need to keep him in context. We could certainly could learn a lot from Edwards in context…stare long at Christ, his person and work, and then dip you pen in the inexhaustible fountain of grace and respond to it with a Christ-centered, cross-boasting, pride-smashing, personal resolution to live for the glory of God…because it is right and he is worth it.'
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3 comments:
Can it be that if our salvation is built on anything other then Christ then we have a natural inclination to be law-keepers. Going to church, saying our prayers and reading our Bible should be part of our desire as Christians but without true understanding of the nature of salvation, we do those things not out of love for God but out of ritual. So in affect we are saying Christs death was not enough and for God to love us we then must add to that sacrifice. It is in our quest to be loved that we try to please and there is nothing wrong with that, but the motive behind it must always be that we are inspired by the message of scripture and with our eyes firmly on the cross
Thank you for the link. I have got to say that I really enjoyed the audio on this site, particularly the video at the top. The preacher's Scottish accent combined with the powerful truth that is being communicated served to refresh me greatly. Thanks for posting it.
Erik Raymond
Thanks Erik
Really enjoy your contributions. Trust all is going well in Omaha and that you are encouraged.
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