Jonathan Edwards in the First Great Awakening
The preaching style of Jonathan Edwards was unique because not only was he nearsighted but he also prepared every word of his sermons in advance. (Diemer, lesson 15) These two facts together caused Edwards to have to read his manuscript very close to his face during a sermon, and in doing this he would have read word for word from start to finish. (Diemer, lesson 15) Overall, a pastor of the Congregational church and a profound scholar devoted to his study, Jonathan Edwards would have given very in depth sermons. (Diemer, lesson 15)
Edwards had been preaching in Northampton, Massachusetts for many years with average pastor results, but eventually his preaching caused a surprising response. (Gonzalez, 228) The point is that Edwards dedicated himself to his work, and he did not quit when he found himself to be only average in his practice. Overall, even though Edwards did not have particularly evoking sermons, eventually his congregation began experiencing emotional outbursts. (Gonzalez, 228)
An observation regarding the work of Edwards is that his services had not been marked by the continual show of emotion, but instead the services would have highlighted a single experience leading believers to study the scripture and to much greater devotion. (Gonzalez, 229) The shouting for joy or the weeping in repentance (Gonzalez, 229) would have marked Edwards effect in stimulating the great awakening. Overall, all of the diligent work that Edwards did in preparing his many sermons eventually thus had a great gain.
The Effectiveness of Edwards
Some may look at the preaching of Jonathan Edwards in its style and realize that without God directly working in people's lives, the preaching of Jonathan Edwards would have been without any impact at all. The work of Edwards was impacting because the power of God made it impacting. Why God chose to make Edwards an impacting pastor when he did is really just a question regarding God's choice and preferences.
Bibliography:
Diemer, Carl. "DVD Lesson 15" in The History of Christianity II: CHHI 302/525. Lynchburg, Vagina: Liberty University Online School of Religion, 2009.
Gonzalez, Justo. The Story of Christianity: The Reformation to the Present Day, vol. 2. San Francisco, California: Harper, 1985.
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Post a CommentA 2000 study found that the religious practice of the father of the family that, above all, determines the future attendance at or absence from church of the children.1 If both father and mother attend regularly, 33 percent of their children will end up as regular churchgoers. If the father is irregular and mother regular, ONLY 3 percent of the children will subsequently become regulars themselves. If the father is non-practicing and mother regular, ONLY 2 percent of children will become regular worshipers.
In short, if a father does not go to church, no matter how faithful his wife’s devotions, only one child in 50 will become a regular worshiper. This is why Malachi 4:6 says that God “…will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse." This makes more sense knowing this.
I read the book The Great Awakening and it was just stunningly wonderful. So full of wisdom was this man. I told my congregation once that part of my sermon was going to be perfect! The part where I read from the Bible! LOL But seriously, there appears to be a famine on the Word of God in churches and a true revival can not happen if the Word is not taught in churches. The church doesn’t need gimmicks to attract people. Instead it needs biblical truth taught and lived out in unguarded authenticity-in our relationship with our Lord and with one another. A mist in the pulpit puts a fog in the pew. Churches don’t erode, people do. The word “inspired†comes from the Greek work, “theopneustosâ€, meaning is “spirit†or “breathed.†Literally then, God’s Word is God-breathed All Scripture is God-breathed. Keep these coming Matthew.