The Spirit of Revival: Discovering the Wisdom of Jonathan Edwards

by R.C. Sproul, Archie Parrish, Jonathan Edwards

The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God by Jonathan Edwards is one of the great classics of revival literature. A key figure of the Great Awakening, Edwards wrote this important discourse in 1741 just after the revival had reached its peak. In it you will discover a thorough examination of the true and false signs of revival based on the exhortations found in 1 John 4. Edwards concludes that while many a Spirit-led movement is accompanied by excesses and actions of a questionable nature, these negative signs do not necessarily disqualify it as authentic. You may be surprised at Edwards's remarkable balance in embracing the genuine enthusiasm in these elements while disavowing that there is definitely no supernatural origin for them. His critique is kind and gentle as he points to the true marks of revival: love and humility. In The Spirit of Revival, editor Dr. Archie Parrish makes Edwards's entire work accessible by modernizing the text and adding explanatory footnotes. R. C. Sproul's extended Introduction effectively compares Edwards's nineteenth century to our society, and the Preface by Edwards's contemporary, William Cooper, also rings resoundingly to today's church. Edwards's work therefore provides more than just insight into the Great Awakening of his day. It is a map to follow for all revivals in all times and is of abiding value for us today.

"One studies the time and backgrounds of some men in order to understand them. Others have such rare greatness that one studies them in order to understand their times.... Jonathan Edwards was such an original." --Paul Ramsey, editor of Edwards's ethical writings in the Yale critical edition

"No man is morerelevant to the present condition of Christianity than Jonathan Edwards." --D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

"The western church... much of it drifting, enculturated, and infected with cheap grace... desperately needs to hear Edwards' challenge." --Charles Colson

"He speaks with an insight into science and psychology so much ahead of his time that our own can hardly be said to have caught up with him." --Perry Miller, former Harvard historian

"One of the most holy, humble and heavenly minded men that the world has seen since the apostolic age." --Ashbel Green, 1829, former president of the College of New Jersey

.,." the profoundest reasoner, and the greatest divine... that America ever produced." --Samuel Davies, 1759

"He was a man who put faithfulness to the Word of God before every other consideration." --Iain Murray, Edwards biographer

"The disappearance of Edwards's [theocentric] perspective in American Christian history has been a tragedy." --Mark Noll, Wheaton College historian

Genres: Christian, Theology, Evangelism, Church, Spirituality, Religion

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Dr. R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship organization located near Orlando, Fla. He was founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.

Ligonier Ministries began in 1971 as the Ligonier Valley Study Center in Ligonier, Pa. In an effort to respond more effectively to the growing demand for Dr. Sproul’s teachings and the ministry’s other educational resources, the general offices were moved to Orlando in 1984, and the ministry was renamed.

Dr. Sproul’s radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online. Dr. Sproul produced hundreds of lecture series and recorded numerous video series on subjects such as the history of philosophy, theology, Bible study, apologetics, and Christian living.

He contributed dozens of articles to national evangelical publications, spoke at conferences, churches, and academic institutions around the world, and wrote more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He signed the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and wrote a commentary on that document. He also served as general editor of the Reformation Study Bible, previously known as the New Geneva Study Bible.

Dr. Sproul had a distinguished academic teaching career at various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and Jackson, Miss. He was ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.

Reviews

[Jonathan Sussex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would have been great to have had this book back in the 1990s, during what was referred to as the Toronto Blessing. Our Church certainly experienced the Holy Spirit in tangible ways, but were all thing done decently and in order as Paul prescribes in 1 Cor 14v40, probably not. Was God in it, I would say yes without a Doubt. As the Psalmist cries, Lord revive us again.

[Carl Palmateer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, the updated text is very helpful. Highly recommend it for anybody wondering about behavior, temporal judgement and much more.

[Samuel Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone wanting to learn about revival from someone who experienced it, but also makes him easier to read.

[Matt Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short excellent read but some copies give Sproul top billing which is wrong since he only wrote one chapter in it and that is more on revival and reformation rather than on Edwards subject here. Parrish offers a few introductory chapters and an appendix for instituting the lessons learned.

[William Duff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative. Easy to follow. If you want an objective way (to avoid being deceived) to evaluate whether or not a "spiritual movement" is truly from and of God, this book is very good. This is Jonathan Edwards exposition of 1st John 4:1 and following: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world..."

[Corey Sharpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-reading this book. Jonathan Edwards' DISTINGUISHING MARKS should be required reading before planning a revival.