JONATHAN EDWARDS (1703 – 1758) Thanks to R. P. Griffin
Sarah Pierrepont
Solomon Stoddard - the "Pope of the Connecticut Valley" - HARVESTS
“Rusticated” to Stockbridge
Apologist for Calvinist Puritanism
Evangelical. Mystical, Erudite, Introspective
The Edwards Paradox ~ intensity for reviving all-engulfing traditions of the Puritan past; yet, a lively mind familiar with the new sciences of Newtonian physics and Lockean psychology.
In an age of Increased emphasis on the democratic principles as they apply to individuals, Edwards reintroduces the notion of depravity. He often employs himself the model of the fallen and resurrected man through painfully truthful self-analysis. He is a man who appears to have been born either too early or too late.
John Locke (1632-1703) rejected, the theory of innate knowledge;, substituting the theory of evolutionary sensate experience based on the concept of tabala rasa. Edwards modifies the notion of sensate experience by suggesting that the experiences and and awareness derived from the senses are themselves providentially imparted. Politically, Locke advocated the supremacy of the individual and the rights of each to seek life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; Edwards saw the rights of the individual as the baisis for seeking God.
Edwards’ “Personal Narrative”
A factual record of spiritual odyssey recounted as a retrospective journey to the acceptance of God’s grace
consolation that God's grace works even though faulty intellect creates waves of sinful disbelief and distracting moments of euphoria
psychoanalytic self-assessment reducing ego to 0 •"
The Great Awakening
Mid~1740s phenomenon that swept the entire East Coast with a wave of religious fervor promoted by the emotionally charged preaching of revivalist ministers such as Edwards and George Whitfield.
Calvinist revival of waning religious affections.
Pursuit of the “indwelling light” - being emotionally touched by the Word of God is now sufficient evidence of God''s providential stamp upon one. That- you can be so moved is evidence of one’s election. Numbers of communicants multiplies exponentially filling nearly empty churches with a new wave of enthusiasts.
Causes
early reaction to emerging "rationalist" tendencies
lively response to deadening effect of liturgical formalism
anticipates and reacts against impending wave of democratization
Effects
stimulated new growth in churches, at least for a time
paved the way for the doctrine of separation of church and state as a reaction to and. suspicion of
over-enthusiastic emotionalism
questioned denominational barriers and ironically paved the way for the antithetical restrained belief of
deism
provided the prototype of periodic waves evangelical revivalism that recognizes emotional
"enthusiasm" as legitimate expressions of faith
although short term Interests were parochial. in the long run, the reaction of distrust of emotional
fervor led to wider toleration of religious differences