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Edwards On Revivals: Containing A Faithful Narrative Of The Surprising Work Of God In The Conversion Of Many Hundred Souls In Northampton, Massachusetts 1735

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Edwards on Revivals is a book written by Jonathan Edwards, a renowned preacher and theologian of the 18th century. The book is a faithful narrative of the surprising work of God in the conversion of many hundred souls in Northampton, Massachusetts in the year 1735. It chronicles the spiritual awakening that occurred in the town, which saw many people turning to God and experiencing a profound transformation in their lives.The book provides a detailed account of the events that led to the revival, including the preaching of Edwards himself and the efforts of other ministers and laypeople in the community. It also describes the impact of the revival on the town and the surrounding region, as well as the challenges and controversies that arose as a result of the revival.Throughout the book, Edwards emphasizes the importance of true repentance and faith in Christ as the foundation of genuine revival. He also addresses common misconceptions and criticisms of revivals, arguing that they are not the result of emotionalism or manipulation, but rather of the powerful work of God's Spirit in the hearts of people.Overall, Edwards on Revivals is a compelling and insightful account of one of the most significant revivals in American history. It offers valuable lessons and insights for Christians today who seek to understand and participate in the work of God's Spirit in their own lives and communities.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

426 pages, Paperback

First published August 9, 2015

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About the author

Jonathan Edwards

1,625 books530 followers
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database named Jonathan Edwards.

Jonathan Edwards was the most eminent American philosopher-theologian of his time, and a key figure in what has come to be called the First Great Awakening of the 1730s and 1740s.

The only son in a family of eleven children, he entered Yale in September, 1716 when he was not yet thirteen and graduated four years later (1720) as valedictorian. He received his Masters three years later. As a youth, Edwards was unable to accept the Calvinist sovereignty of God. However, in 1721 he came to what he called a "delightful conviction" though meditation on 1 Timothy 1:17. From that point on, Edwards delighted in the sovereignty of God. Edwards later recognized this as his conversion to Christ.

In 1727 he was ordained minister at Northampton and assistant to his maternal grandfather, Solomon Stoddard. He was a student minister, not a visiting pastor, his rule being thirteen hours of study a day. In the same year, he married Sarah Pierpont, then age seventeen, daughter of Yale founder James Pierpont (1659–1714). In total, Jonathan and Sarah had eleven children.

Stoddard died on February 11th, 1729, leaving to his grandson the difficult task of the sole ministerial charge of one of the largest and wealthiest congregations in the colony. Throughout his time in Northampton his preaching brought remarkable religious revivals.

Yet, tensions flamed as Edwards would not continue his grandfather's practice of open communion. Stoddard believed that communion was a "converting ordinance." Surrounding congregations had been convinced of this, and as Edwards became more convinced that this was harmful, his public disagreement with the idea caused his dismissal in 1750.

Edwards then moved to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, then a frontier settlement, where he ministered to a small congregation and served as missionary to the Housatonic Indians. There, having more time for study and writing, he completed his celebrated work, The Freedom of the Will (1754).

Edwards was elected president of the College of New Jersey (later Princeton University) in early 1758. He was a popular choice, for he had been a friend of the College since its inception. He died of fever at the age of fifty-four following experimental inoculation for smallpox and was buried in the President's Lot in the Princeton cemetery beside his son-in-law, Aaron Burr.

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