The Religious Affections

The Religious Affections is probably the most profound analysis of spiritual experience ever written - and by the most brilliant philosopher/theologian to ever come from North America (and possibly the English language).

Jonathan Edwards wrote this book after the Great Awakening with which he was closely involved. He wrote as both a friend, defending the authenticity of revivals - and also as a critique, warning against putting trust in things which were not certain signs of genuine Spirit-wrought affections.

His treatise takes three parts. In part one he defines his terms and gives twelve reasons why genuine religion (i.e. Christian spirituality - "religion," in Edwards day, did not have the negative connotations that it carries today) show more consists much in the affections. The affections, for Edwards, are more than mere emotions - they are the strong and lively inclinations of the will, seated in the human heart.

Part two discusses twelve things which are not certain signs of true religious affections. These are things which Edwards warned should not be trusted as evidences of grace OR discarded as evidences that the Holy Spirit has NOT worked in a saving way. They are not indicators one way or the other.

Part three is the most lenghty and examines twelve things which are signs of a true work of the grace, wrought by God's holy Spirit in the heart. This is where Edwards is at his best - carefully, logically, biblically, and passionately describing the true evidences of regeneration. His analysis is keen, his thoughts clear, his argument orderly, his scholarship extensive, his knowledge of Scripture profuse, and his understanding of the human heart profound.

This particular edition - produced by Yale and edited by John Smith - is the best critical edition in print. The introduction and notes on the text are very helpful, as Smith summarizes Edwards' arguments and backgrounds the Puritan writers and their books which Edwards quotes in Religious Affections. This volume also includes Edwards' related correspondence with Thomas Gillespie from Scotland - this being the first time the complete correspondence has been printed in the same volume with the Affections.

This is not an easy book to read. Edwards takes getting used to. But it is very worthwhile. I'm currently reading it for the third time and I continue to find it useful. I highly recommend it for pastors and preachers and all Christians who yearn for a personal and corporate work of the Spirit in revival and spiritual awakening. show less

The Religious Affections is probably the most profound analysis of spiritual experience ever written - and by the most brilliant philosopher/theologian to ever come from North America (and possibly the English language).

Jonathan Edwards wrote this book after the Great Awakening with which he was closely involved. He wrote as both a friend, defending the authenticity of revivals - and also as a critique, warning against putting trust in things which were not certain signs of genuine Spirit-wrought affections.

His treatise takes three parts. In part one he defines his terms and gives twelve reasons why genuine religion (i.e. Christian spirituality - "religion," in Edwards day, did not have the negative connotations that it carries today) show more consists much in the affections. The affections, for Edwards, are more than mere emotions - they are the strong and lively inclinations of the will, seated in the human heart.

Part two discusses twelve things which are not certain signs of true religious affections. These are things which Edwards warned should not be trusted as evidences of grace OR discarded as evidences that the Holy Spirit has NOT worked in a saving way. They are not indicators one way or the other.

Part three is the most lenghty and examines twelve things which are signs of a true work of the grace, wrought by God's holy Spirit in the heart. This is where Edwards is at his best - carefully, logically, biblically, and passionately describing the true evidences of regeneration. His analysis is keen, his thoughts clear, his argument orderly, his scholarship extensive, his knowledge of Scripture profuse, and his understanding of the human heart profound.

This particular edition - produced by Yale and edited by John Smith - is the best critical edition in print. The introduction and notes on the text are very helpful, as Smith summarizes Edwards' arguments and backgrounds the Puritan writers and their books which Edwards quotes in Religious Affections. This volume also includes Edwards' related correspondence with Thomas Gillespie from Scotland - this being the first time the complete correspondence has been printed in the same volume with the Affections.

This is not an easy book to read. Edwards takes getting used to. But it is very worthwhile. I'm currently reading it for the third time and I continue to find it useful. I highly recommend it for pastors and preachers and all Christians who yearn for a personal and corporate work of the Spirit in revival and spiritual awakening. show less

I only started listening to this because it was free on ChristianAudio, but it's exactly what I needed at this point in my spiritual journey. It's all about the difference between those who are actually in Christ, and those who are fooling themselves. The difference is the religious affections, the genuine and unconditional love for the glory and holiness of God.

There's a lot in this book to digest, which is especially hard in the audio format, so I made highlights in the 99-cent kindle copy. That way, I can go back over the most relevant passages. It's a little technical in structure, but my brain loved that aspect of it. The English is a little old, but it's good to help one better absorb the previous meanings of words. Also the show more English wasn't old at all compared to John Bunyan which I'd just finished listening to.

Mr Edwards supports all his points very thoroughly with scripture, and offers help in many of the things modern writers are neglecting. I would recommend this to anyone who can comprehend it, or is willing to learn to comprehend it. show less

how can we be saved and be the same? our wants, our affections, our ambitions... they are all redeemed when our soul is saved. how deep does that grace run? superficially? not if it is of the Lord... it changes the nature of our being.... complete transformation. what a great book!

Fourteen and a half months later, I have completed my reading of The Religious Affections. I have had a love/hate relationship with Edwards. At times I greatly appreciated his brilliance; at other times I detested his verboseness. All in all, a treasure for the Church. Edwards has encouraged me to search myself and for that I am grateful.

Certainly not for the faint of heart. For me at least, hard work was required. At times I had to get away from the book. This was in part due to his extreme repetition; conviction of heart also added to this. Far better men than me have concluded that Edwards is one of the great theologians of the Church. I cannot argue with this.

Edwards' reasoning from the Scripture provides a good example for us in show more how we should approach controversies. show less

In my most recent read of the great puritan pastor-theologian Jonathan Edwards I was able to read some analytical treatises written on revival. In the book Jonathan Edwards on Revival the selective works included are “A Narrative of Surprising Conversions” which is dealing with the religious revival in Northampton in 1735. Then also included are “The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God“, and “An Account of the Revival of Religion in North Hampton 1740-1742” which also dealt with revival and what it constitutes and how to know if it is or is not a true work of the Holy Spirit.

The treatises are prefaced with some introductory material. This work hopes to further familiarize readers with Edwards and his timeless show more writings. Jonathan Edwards is widely recognized today as perhaps the greatest of all North American thinkers, philosophers, and theologians. He began his ministry in Northampton, Massachusetts, and exemplifies the Puritan influence which had been felt in New England.

Edwards being one othe foremost authorities on revivalism writes on his encounters with the outcomes of such spiritual activity. This is a great read for those who think a revival is going away on a weekend conference so you can feel good about yourself. Edwards shows why it is not that, rather he shows that true revival is a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit that generally leads to massive numbers converting to Christ due to mourning over sin.

Edwards shows how having a true conversion constitutes having a genuine awareness of your own sin often accompanied with a great fear of hell and a great desire for true Holiness. Again readers must realize that true revivals are where converts continue in the Christian faith and they are not necessarily those of large Evangelistic conventions where many respond to an altar call but few thereafter are seen again. This is a great book for any Christian wanting to know what true revival is. show less

With overwhelming logic and Scriptural backing, Edwards examines the true evidences of conversion and gives excellent counsel in examining both out own fruit and that of others.