Jonathan Edward's Discourse on the Trinity

[Liam]

The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Vol. 21: Writings on the Trinity, Grace, and Faith

I'm currently reading Jonathan Edwards' Discourse on the Trinity! Very interesting so far. He has a really interesting theory on how the Father and Son eternally exist together that I'm still wrapping my mind around. I started reading this because I heard that it was one of Edwards most interesting works. So far it I'm finding that it definitely is!

[Liam]

Edwards argumentation is extremely complex, and after getting about halfway through the Discourse on the Trinity, not understanding large portions, I've decided to start over, and go through it slowly using John Piper's discourse method called Arcing. I'm now through it about 10% using this method. I'm finding that the deep enjoyment of understanding Edwards is greatly worth the additional time and thought that I will put in to this.

If you haven't heard of Arcing it would be worth your time to google "John Piper on Arcing."

[Matthew]

I own Edwards works but have not started them yet. I am planning a 5 year Study on Edwards in the future. One of my professors was an Edwards major and he always talked about Edwards in his lectures and peaked my curiosity enough to do the 5 year Study.

[Liam]

Edwards is I think my favorite writer to read. It seems every time I read him I come away with some new truth that deepens my awe and delight in God. I especially love Edwards' sermons. They are still relatively complex, but much much easier than his other writings. I also love his Miscellanies, which are just hundreds of his private thoughts on theological subjects. This man lived, and thought, and studied in the presence of God so deeply it's simply astonishing! For the most part I haven't even delved into his larger treatises, but I'm excited for what I'll find there!

[Robert]

I took a summer course at Yale University back in 2014. If you can ever avail yourself of one week off in June, I would highly recommend it! I spent my afternoons in the Beinecke Library, holding in my hands many of the actual sermons written by Edwards himself, such as Sinners In The Hands of An Angry God. That experience was a bit surreal for me, and the others who I was with. In June of 2017 they are going to be focusing on The Freedom of the Will. I'm going to try to be there for that!

[Liam]

That sounds awesome Robert! I didn't know Edwards' manuscripts were available to view for those interested! Thanks for sharing!

[Robert]

The manuscripts are not only available for viewing, but Yale encourages anyone who wants to make the attempt to decipher his yet unpublished sermons. I could make out a word here or there, but his handwriting is even more difficult to understand than his lofty theological concepts!

[Robert]

By the way, Liam, you said you have a copy of JE Works Vol 21. Where did you purchase it from? Those volumes are very expensive!

[Liam]

Haha! Yes! Very expensive! I actually painstakingly copied it from the Yale site, and pasted it into a word doc, and then was able to convert it to work on an app called Marvin.

[Liam]

Having my mind blown! I just finished the portion on Christ's relation to the Father from eternity past and I'm trying to think through Edwards' theory. Very profound if Edwards is right. Still thinking through this massive theory. Surprised this hasn't sparked more debate actually (that I've heard of).

Now on to the the Spirit...