Comments on: The Fading Legacy of Jonathan Edwards

By: Paul Engle

Paul Engle — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:10:32 +0000

Thanks for your blog post. When I pastored in Connecticut in past years I became a Jonathan Edwards fan, reading a number of his biographies. When I went through a painful church parting I took comfort in reading of the hassle Edwards faced in his church and how he graciously gave a farewell address in which he indicated “I now commit you to God.” I have visited Northampton with great expectations and likewise felt sad at how he is forgotten. So I was tracking with you in your comments. Your parallel to Istanbul resonated with me as well. I’ve been in that city a couple times and have marveled at Hagia Sophia recalling the history of what occurred there compared to what it is today. So thanks for an enjoyable posting. It brought back memories from the past. May we not forget Edwards!

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:06:04 +0000

Tom Correll told me to check out your blog. Wow! This is wonderful. What a powerful story. I hope to go to Northampton someday — but I’m glad you have given forewarning.

By: John Mustol

John Mustol — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:25:25 +0000

I am currently reading a wonderful book, Cosmic Grace, Humble Prayer: The Ecological Vision of the Green Patriarch Bartholomew I, trans. and ed. by John Chryssavgis, GR:Eerdmans, 2003. The book is a collection of addresses, encyclicals, and letters of the current Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople (Istanbul), Bartholomew I. The book is impressive in the profound sense of heritage, tradition, and history that the Orthdox Church seems to have. Bartholomew speaks lovingly and respectfully of the Greek Fathers, of the historical roots of liturgy, and of the great theological tradition of the Eastern Church as he addresses modern ecological problems.

What is striking is how profoundly this deep sense of history and tradition contrasts with my experience of the Southern California Evangelical Church. There seems to be little connection with the past, perhaps even an effort to detach from the past as completely as possible. We California Protestants seem to be future-loving folks. We don’t like to look back.

I wonder what Bartholomew could teach us. I hope that saying, “Those who cannot remember the past are bound to repeat it.” doesn’t apply to us. Time will tell.

By: Ross Bassingthwaighte

Ross Bassingthwaighte — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:18:50 +0000

Jonathan Edwards was one of America’s true Renaissance men, a respected intellectual, and a profound example of how a man should serve his Savior with body, heart, and soul. I have found that reading Edwards is humbling and encouraging.

“Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will.”

“The best, most beautiful, and most perfect way that we have of expressing a sweet concord of mind to each other is by music.”

Such quotes from Edwards still find their way into 21st century lists. It is unfortunate that the Christian context in which this godly man wrote has been almost entirely lost. His faithful and fearless preaching and his intellectual brilliance ought to be an example to all Christians today, but sadly, far too few have any idea of where to begin. Thank you, Glen, for sharing your “meandering reminiscences.” As always, you make me pause and consider.