Jonathan Edwards and the American Experience

by Nathan O. Hatch (Editor), Harry S. Stout (Editor)

Universally recognized as a seminal figure in American intellectual history, Jonathan Edwards has been the focus of considerable scholarly attention in a variety of academic disciplines, including religion, history, literature, and philosophy. Because these disciplines discuss him in relation to different intellectual traditions, Edwards scholarship remains segmented. This volume represents the first attempt to provide a synthetic vision of Edwards and his contributions to American culture. Its fifteen previously unpublished essays present the best contemporary literary, historical, theological, and philosophical thinking on Edwards, locating him in his full historical context and demonstrating the continuity of his influence. Together, they provide the fullest account to date of his role in the development of the American consciousness. This volume is the first attempt to provide a synthetic vision of Edwards and his contribution to the development of the American
consciousness. Fifteen previously unpublished essays present the best contemporary literary, historical, theological, and philosophical thinking on Edwards, locating him in his full historical context and demonstrating the continuity of his influence.

Genres: Theology, Biography, Religion

312 pages, Paperback

First published March 17, 1988

About the author

Nathan Orr Hatch is an author best known for his writing on the history of Christian thought in the United States.
He received his BA from Wheaton College and his MA and PhD from Washington University in St. Louis. In 1976 he began teaching at Notre Dame, later becoming dean, vice president, and provost there before departing to become president of Wake Forest University (2005-21).
He and his wife Julie have three adult children.

Reviews

[Ivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mark Noll’s essay alone is worth reading this book. He examines the appropriators of Edwardsean theology, and he makes this very helpful distinction: “Guardians of [Jonathan] Edwards usually preserved his creed, his piety, or his intellectual creativity. Successors attempted to preserve creed, piety, and creativity together.”