The New Years Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards (1722-1723)

Jonathan Edwards | 1722-1723 | Jonathan Edwards

[Matchett-PI]

I think that the great Puritan pastor, Jonathan Edwards' resolutions for the new year provide useful food for thought.

Do you notice how his motivation was always to try do what he thought would "glorify God" (right or wrong)?

Any "judging" he exhibits is against himself. He wants to have nothing but charitable and compassionate thoughts about others, and is anquished in his spirit when he can't do it.

This *motivation* shows a very emotionally and spiritually mature mentality.

Those (professing Christians or otherwise) who think *it's all about them*, and have no such motivations toward God or others, hate his example because it makes them *feel* judged and condemned merely when they see or hear about it.

Edwards strove only to be hard on himself, not others. Yet the emotion-driven "others" love to accuse him of just the opposite. :D

[Publius]

The Rev. Mr. Edwards almost sired a distinguished American lineage. He was the grandfather of Aaron Burr.

Regrettably, Col. Burr spread his seed all over America and Europe. His one legitimate child, a daughter, died in a shipwreck with her new husband before she could leave an heir.

However, if Gore Vidal's theory about Martin van Buren's parentage is correct, then Jonathan Edwards is the great-grandfather of President Van Buren.

[My2Cents]

Excellent. From what I know of Jonathan Edwards, he came close to keeping every one of these resolutions.

To "glorify" God has taken on an unfortunate twist in understanding in our time. For many Christians, to "glorify God" means that we do our best, put our best foot foward, spare no expense, etc., in regard to our work for God.

However, in the Bible I see a different idea. Whenever God's "glory" is mentioned, it relates to a physical, visible, sometimes audible manifestation of God Himself; e.g., God's glory was manifested in the column of smoke by day, fire by night, which led the nation of Israel through the wilderness; "the glory of the Lord" appeared in the temple to Isaiah, and was seen by Isaiah.

Essentially, man does not glorify God; God glorifies Himself. Or, to put it another way: a person glorifies God only when that person allows God to show Himself through him or her, so, what people see is not the person's best efforts on God's behalf, but they see God Himself, living out through the life and actions of the person. One glorifies God by denying oneself, which is what I believe Edwards is talking about. It's a subtle difference, but it's the difference between self-righteous behavior, and "death to self" which allows the life of Christ to shine through a person -- one is a "pretend" glory, and the other is the actual glory of God.

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

Theodore Roosevelt's wife Edith was a direct descendant of Jonathan Edwards also. Great set of resolutions.

[My2Cents]

Edwards also had a descendent (for the life of me, I can't remember his name -- "Dwight" was his last name, I think) who headed a spiritual revival in the new nation in the early 1800s.

[lodwick]

Good post - thank you. JL

[steve50]

Christians used to use the Word of God to direct their own lives. Most seem intent on using it to direct others now.

[Publius]

I didn't know about the Edith Roosevelt connection. You're right, it's a great set of resolutions -- and fasinating, too. The Rev. Mr. Edwards lives on in yet another distinguished American family.

[Penny1]

8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.

What a wonderful antidote to pride...

-penny

[Matchett-PI]

Bump. Please ping any others that you think might find this thread to be of interest.

[Matchett-PI]

Bump. If you know of others who might be interested in seeing this thread, please ping them, will you?

[ArGee]

Mom,

Give the Christians a ping.

Shalom.

[Matchett-PI]

Bump. You may want to flag others you know who might want to see this thread.

[ArGee]

Too long a list for me to read. I need things to be more simple. I have only one resolution on my list.

Resolved, that I will do everything in my power to be more like Jesus.

That and stop being so tolerant.

BRAAD to the Bone!

Shalom.

[Matchett-PI]

"What a wonderful antidote to pride... "

It sure is!

[Matchett-PI]

Thanks! I was unaware of of that background. Very interesting!!

[Matchett-PI]

God's primary concern is to Glorify Himself. He will do it in spite of human beings. Everything He has done, is doing, and will do, is geared to that.

[Matchett-PI]

You are welcome! I'm glad to know you appreciated it.

[Matchett-PI]

"Theodore Roosevelt's wife Edith was a direct descendant of Jonathan Edwards also. Great set of resolutions."

Interesting history! I, too, think Edward's resolutions are great!

[tal hajus]

I wonder how many of them he was able to keep?