A New Inner Relish: Christian Motivation in the Thought of Jonathan Edwards

by Dane C. Ortlund

What made Jonathan Edwards tick? Dane Ortlund shows us that Edwards was gripped, spellbound by what he saw in God – and that underscored everything he did. Such motivation is essential to authentic Christian living.

Genres: Theology

272 pages, Paperback

First published July 14, 2008

About the author

Dane C. Ortlund (PhD, Wheaton College) is chief publishing officer and Bible publisher at Crossway. He serves as an editor for the Knowing the Bible series and the Short Studies in Biblical Theology series, and is the author of several books, including Gentle and Lowly and Edwards on the Christian Life. He is an elder at Naperville Presbyterian Church in Naperville, Illinois. Dane lives with his wife, Stacey, and their five children in Wheaton, Illinois.

Reviews

[Matthew Prydden]

Jonathan Edwards has the ability to help me understand biblical truths in a deeper, clearer and richer way and Dane C. Ortlund successfully brings out this aspect of Edwards in his exploration of his teaching on Christian motivation. At times, Ortlund seems to repeat the same thing over and over again, just in different ways, but this is a small criticism of a work that emphatically and excellently achieves its goal of profiting both the head and the heart.

[Tim Warke]

A great overview of the need for a work of God's grace in the heart if we are to know true motivation to obey God. Ortlund traces this theme and more with an overarching tour of the wonderful theology Edwards taught, preached and wrote. I wouldn't describe this as an easy read, but one worth working through.

[Dru]

The author researches Edwards' sermons and writings to teach us about Edwards' conception of Christian motivation. For Edwards, it came down to new desires for God, put in the heart by God so that we can marvel at and enjoy God. All other motivation for obedience flows from this.

[mpsiple]

Really good look at the biblical motivations for holiness. Also a good primer on Edwards. If it were shorter (it was very repetitive and over-footnoted), I'd give it five stars.