[8JW]∎ PDF Free A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections In Three Parts (Classic Reprint) Jonathan Edwards 9780243250134 Books

A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections In Three Parts (Classic Reprint) Jonathan Edwards 9780243250134 Books

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Excerpt from A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections In Three Parts

After religion has revived in the church of God, and ene mies appear, people that are engaged to defend its caufe, are commonly molt expofed, where they are lead fenfrble of danger. Vvhile they are wholly intent upon the oppolition that appears Openly before them, to make head againfl that, and do negleé't carefully'to look all round them, the devil comes behind them, and gives a fatal flab unfeen; and has opportunity to give a more home firoke, and wound the deeper, becaufe he firikes at his leifure, and according to his pleafure, being obfiruaed by no guard or refrftance.

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A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections In Three Parts (Classic Reprint) Jonathan Edwards 9780243250134 Books

Product details Paperback 506 pages Publisher Forgotten Books (November 27, 2017) Language English ISBN-10 0243250134

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A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections In Three Parts (Classic Reprint) Jonathan Edwards 9780243250134 Books Reviews

Overview The Religious Affections is for very good reason considered one of the most important works of Jonathan Edwards in particular and one of the most excellent and helpful treatises on Christian spirituality in general. Caught in both the glory and the drama of the First Great Awakening, Jonathan Edwards was tasked with the responsibility to defend God’s mighty outpouring of grace from both its detractors and its extremists.

In this great work, Edwards sets out to accomplish three major goals (1) he shows from Scripture that the religious affections (“the more vigorous and sensible exercises of the inclination and will of the soul”) are indeed true manifestations of real Christian spirituality and of the holy life (2) he warns of a number of “experiences” that cannot either verify or falsify the reality of one’s professed conversion and (3) he enumerates several factors that are indicative of true conversion and regeneration. Chief among these last factors (as the quote below demonstrates) is the fruit of holy living—or Christian practice—carried out in the believer’s life.

Application This great work has a number of applications and uses. First and foremost it helps to delineate what true conversion looks like. In Edwards’ day it was hard to prove that one was truly “converted.” Often the Puritans looked for a series of finely ordered “steps” in one’s testimony of professed faith. The burden of proof lay heavy. In our day, it is much easier—we must simply give an “altar call” story, or a similar anecdote of “accepting Jesus into our heart.” Edwards speaks to both extremes by evaluating the conversion experience with a truly Biblical grid of analysis.

Edwards shows that true conversion does indeed transform both the inward man, in his “affections” (love, joy, fear of the Lord, etc.) as well as the outward man in living out the will of God in his daily experience. Pastors who are prayerfully evaluating their flock, as well as those unsure of their own salvation, will find this work deeply helpful in this regard.

Critique While this particular reviewer is mostly sympathetic to Edwards’ position about conversion, many of my charismatic and Pentecostal friends will likely find some fault with Edwards’ teaching on the inner-life of spiritual experience. Throughout, Edwards is particularly hard on those who claim to have received such things as visions of Christ or strong “impressions” of particular Scripture passages upon the heart as being too easy to manipulate and falsify. While he is surely right in showing that these things cannot prove that one is a Christian, some readers (but not all) will feel he has gone too far in assessing the supernatural revelations of the Holy Spirit to the human mind in a negative fashion.

Best Quote “From what has been said, it is manifest that Christian practice, or a holy life, is a great and distinguishing sign of true and saving grace. But I may go further and assert that it is the chief of all the signs of grace, both as an evidence of the sincerity of professors unto others, and also to their own consciences” (p. 326-32).

-Matthew Everhard is the Senior Pastor of Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Brooksville, Florida
Written centuries ago, the style and flow of Jonathan Edwards' intellectual prose will be heavy sledding for modern readers who are more accustomed to 'ebooks' that can be read from start to finish in one sitting. I urge readers to stick with it, for Edwards shares his experiences, as well of those of his contemporaries, how we might determine whether our emotions ("affections") are truly being inspired by God, or by something else. In a nutshell, the key is this have you a) stopped sinning AND b) begun producing good fruit (good works). Your emotion, experience, discovery or personal revelation is not to be taken as evidence of your good estate with God if you also have not stopped sinning, for that will tell you that Christ has not set you free yet. This book will show you several tricks that the devil uses to assure people that they are saved or not. If what I just wrote raises concerns about your relationship with Christ, then you need this book. May God and Jesus Christ bless you.
This classic work can be difficult to get through because the author does not write in the short, snippy, cliche' way in which most "spiritual writers" write today. Bro. Edwards makes the reader think; and think you will.

After reading this book, you will ask yourself just what are my affections? Sports? Politics? Fox News? My career? Possessions? My wife? What is in my wheelhouse after all?

Christians would do well to stop listening to conservative media and their lukewarm pastors and delve into works like this for real meat for the soul and instruction in Godliness. The day is far spent.. What we do and who we are for God is all that matters. Bro. Edwards writes with an intensity that reflects this.
Is there any question that Jonathan Edwards is one of the United States's greatest religious thinkers and writers? No. Don't argue with me; it's true. Now, why don't people read his books all the time, instead of Joel Osteen or Rick Warren or some other popular, megachurch pastor? Probably because it's a lot harder to read Edwards. Edwards wrote A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections in 1746, and the verbosity and vocabulary reflect that of a learned 18th century clergyman. His style doesn't resound with most 21st century readers.

Archaic style and language aside, The Religious Affections is worth the time it takes to wade through (especially for readers who tire of the breezy, superficial books churned out by popular pastors today). Edwards wants to make the point, still valid 270 years later, that religious "affections," or outward expressions of religion, do not make one a Christian, but should be present in Christians. In fact, "they who have but little religious affection, have certainly but little religion."

What are the affections or signs that someone is a Christian? By their fruits you know them. humility, a changed life, Christ-like attitude, tenderness, an interest in spiritual growth, etc. Edwards encouraged a spiritual striving and a life devoted to the pursuit of holiness. He writes "The more a true saint loves God with a gracious love, the more he desires to love him, and the more uneasy is he at his want of love to him; the more he hates sin, the more he desires to hate it. . . . The more he mourns for sin, the more he longs to mourn for sin. . . . The more he thirsts and longs for God and holiness, the more he longs to love, and breathe out his very should in longings after God." Archaic or not, passages like this in The Religious Affections ought to stoke Christians' fire and encourage them to pursue the religious affections.

Read The Religious Affections in small chunks. Like a gourmet meal, it takes longer to eat, and some may be unfamiliar, but it's delicious and worth the price.