In Love with Christ: The Narrative of Sarah Edwards: Edited and Annotated by Jennifer Adams

by Sarah Edwards

Sarah Edwards was the wife of America’s greatest theologian, Jonathan Edwards. Her narrative took place in the year 1742. In it, she chronicled the grace of God in giving her an uncommonly clear sight of His love made manifest in Christ crucified. As she beheld Him in His beauty, she was melted into His image and transformed into His likeness. To use the words of King Solomon, she was “lovesick.” Her heart was lifted up to partake of the sweetest, most intimate communion with God. She experienced a holy intercourse with God which she described as a constant flowing back and forth of love. Everything on earth seemed inconsequential so long as she had Christ. The more she saw Him by faith, the more she saw her own sinfulness. She was grieved, humbled, and broken. Yet at the same time, she abounded in joy, for the more she saw her unworthiness in contrast to His great worth, the more she could comprehend the breadth, length, height, and depth of His love in giving of Himself for her. O the praise that involuntarily springs up at such sights! These sights were what God used to free her from sin, wean her from the world, and grace her to surrender to His providence. Moreover, they enabled her to overflow with love for the brethren, be concerned for the lost, and be committed to His glory above all things.

Genres: Biography

126 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2011

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

This is 2^ Sarah Edwards

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking and soul-searching. Confronted by her own failures and shortcomings in light of God’s holiness Sarah realized even more God's grace which led to a more complete surrender of herself in thought, word, and daily living. “In Love With Christ,” is a genuine and sweet narrative.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a Christmas gift and I was anxious to begin reading it. I don't know if I'm out of practice with reading Puritan-style writing or what, but I found it a difficult read both for style and content. I'm glad I read it and I learned a lot more about the Edwards family having read it. Honestly, I found some of it to be downright unbelievable and I'm continuing to wrestle with whether that is sinful pride in my own heart, the effects of living in a desensitized society, or both or neither. If anyone has read it or does read it, I'd be interested in discussing it to hear your opinion on it.

[Lalwende · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main issue is that the (long) introduction/biographical section in the beginning of the book should have gone through several more rounds of editing and restructuring. The actual story of their lives is fascinating, but the need for more editing in that section was very distracting.

I did like the overall structure of the book quite a lot! Each section helped give context for the next section and/or the following section provided a different perspective on the contents of the previous section.

While I enjoyed reading the final two sections, and I understand that they are meant to show the effects of having a close relationship with our God in other people (lest it seem like Sarah was the only person to have such experiences), they did feel disjointed from the rest of the book.

[Julianna Hennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring and thought-provoking narrative of Sarah Edwards, the wife of the well-known Puritan, Jonathan Edwards. I was deeply moved by Sarah’s words, thoughts, and experiences! I was also encouraged by the rhythms of their home and how they glorified God in everything, even the heartbreaking loss of a child. Their lives were truly dedicated to the glory of God, and even more than 200 years later, they are still being used to glorify God. It’s simply a beautiful picture of God’s grace and goodness!

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful-Christ centered-uncommon union!

[Summer Cromartie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to give Sarah's story five stars, but this book can only get four, at best. I loved Sarah Edwards' faith long before I knew it was she; I was gifted a sampler CD in the late '90s with a song on it called "She Looks to the Sky," and it is a lovely song. A few years later, I read a biography of Jonathan Edwards for a college paper, and I saw the lyrics to the song in the book! Evidently the song was written after the words Jonathan had written about 13-year-old Sarah and her complete surrender to Christ's love. In this book, I loved reading Sarah's own words and Jonathan's words about her young faith and the 2-week revival that she experienced when she was older. So lovely!

I don't like the writing style of the book; I don't like how the author does her footnotes or refers to Scripture quotes, and I definitely don't like when the author adds her thoughts on faith. They're probably not that bad (a little closed-minded, though), but I came here to read about Sarah and not preached at by this stranger.

I highly recommend the parts written by or about Sarah and Jonathan, but everything else is worth skipping.

[Olivia Hoots · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was much good in this book, especially when I consider the example Sarah sets for Christian women, and I undoubtedly will take much away to hopefully emulate. However, it’s difficult for my modern mind to understand the fainting spells, are we sure she was in good health? Also, I have a hard time with the child’s conversion story at the end of the book - I see much fruit, but children must be taught to rest in Christ too!

[Patti Gray Dunkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an excellent book!

It provides a fresh look into the life of an 18th century Christian woman. Her emotional exuberance surprised and delighted me. The book shatters the stereotype of the rigid and unfeeling Calvinist.

[Allison Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say this book was encouraging would be an understatement. It’s hard to hear Sarah’s story of God’s grace overcoming her flesh and not feel a thrill in thinking of our great God. Sarah drank deeply of God’s love, and I hope to taste more greatly of the delight that she experienced.

[Jodi Kirksey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this book and Marriage to a Difficult Man (by Elisabeth D. Dodds) after Ben Stewart (Breakaway) and a devotional by Mark Batterson (author of All In) both referenced Jonathon Edwards. The book was written in the 1700's. It was very different from most books I've read, not necessarily the easiest book to read, but I'm glad I read it. The story was very interesting, and I found it encouraging (and convicting) to read about the impact a praying wife and mother can have on others.

[Tori Jarrard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice, quick read. A real blessing to have something written about this woman.