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Jonathan Edwards
In the early days of the American colonial
frontier, the hearts and minds of a developing nation were being forged. Following the
settlements of pilgrims in the ‘new world’, a growing population began to emerge
in the form of a great country that would become known as the United States of America.
With this backdrop, a notable influence entered the picture—Jonathan Edwards.
Born to parents, Timothy and Esther on October 5, 1703, Jonathan was the only
son among ten other siblings. His rearing as a devout Presbyterian in East Windsor,
Connecticut would be key in his role as a religious leader and revivalist.
Jonathan’s father was keenly aware of the declining moral values and was determined
to do his part to turn things around. In addition to a commitment to standard
academics, Timothy Edwards taught his son Latin, Hebrew, and Greek—all by age 12,
when he enrolled at Yale University as one of the youngest students ever. If that
weren’t impressive enough, the academician finished as valedictorian four years
later. Being converted at age 17, the young Mr. Edwards finished his undergraduate work by
1720 and went on to earn a master’s degree in theology two years later at a college
in New Haven. In 1722, he began pastoring a Presbyterian church in New York, leaving
for a tutoring position in 1724 at Yale. Edwards was certainly respectful of his
long ministerial lineage. In 1725 he accepted an assistant’s position to his
grandfather, Solomon Stoddard at a Congregationalist church in Northampton, Massachusetts.
Meanwhile, the young man married Sarah Pierpoint in 1727. When Rev.
Stoddard passed away in 1729, the younger minister Edwards followed in his elder’s
footsteps as leader of the 600-member assembly. What ensued after his succession would
eventually resonate throughout every colony.
It all began with Edwards’ fervor for genuine Christian devotion and fear that
spiritual compromise would taint the effectiveness of the church. An informal system
adopted by many congregations of the day, known as the “half-way covenant”,
allowed for sinners to partake of the Lord’s supper, while forbidding them from
voting on business matters. It was an effort by many to recruit more members, though
some of the ‘new flock’ made their way into leadership and even ministry
positions. Rev. Edwards was adamant that this philosophy was unacceptable and initially
demanded that evidence of a person’s conversion be forthcoming or else be denied
permanent membership on the church rolls. He later softened his stance a bit to
accept those who made a public profession of faith as members. In 1734, the preacher saw
revival break out amongst his church members. The movement spread like a wildfire and was
dubbed the “Great Awakening”. A prayer group, which included none other
than John Wesley, had started prior to this and Edwards himself joined it. The great
move of God lasted well into the 1740’s and gained the attention of all who were
called American colonists. George Whitfield even visited the Northampton church and
ministered, commenting on the special presence of God that he witnessed there.
Edwards traveled abroad himself and, in 1741, ignited one assembly in particular at
Enfield, Massachusetts, which had somehow missed out on the great revival up until that
time. This is where he introduced his famous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an
Angry God,” (in the proper Queen’s English, none-the-less). But despite
his enormous success, personal compromise, and many conversions over a ten-year span, more
than a few members decided that his less rigid stance regarding membership rules was too
much to overcome. He was voted out in 1750.
After 20 years of leading a flock and reaching the apex of his ministry, the preacher and
his family moved to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, where they ministered primarily to native
Americans—this at a time when the ‘white man’ and Indians were not always
on friendly terms. The income wasn’t what they had grown to expect,
either. But the faithful servants persisted for the next six years. It was
during this time that the reverend did much of his writing: such works as
“Original Sin” and “The Nature of True Virtue.” In 1758, Edwards
accepted a prestigious offer by the college of New Jersey (now Princeton) to serve as
president. What seemed to be a crowning achievement for the family quickly turned to
tragedy, however. Encouraged by the institution to be inoculated against smallpox,
he agreed and died March 22nd of the same year, succumbing to the effects of
the injection supposed to immunize him from the very disease that claimed his life. He was
only 54 years old. Like his parents, he too, fathered eleven children, with whom he made a
point to spend time with each night. He was laid to rest in Princeton, New Jersey. Despite
their secular worldview, His alma mater, Yale, thought enough of Edwards’ influence
to publish some of his works posthumously. Indeed, there are precious few in the
ministry of any era who could lay claim to such an impact on their culture for Christ.
Resources: ccel.org, puritanum.de, geocities.com/gelina,
jonathanedwards.com
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