Editor’s Note: This is, Lord willing, the first in a series of articles on the Life, Theology, and Influence of Jonathan Edwards. It begins appropriately with a personal testimony about the influence of this great saint on the lives of those in ministry today.
By Phil Corr
Early in my junior year in High School, I followed through on a suggestion to write out one of Paul’s letters and to address it to one’s own local church. I drove to the main library and got to work. As is usually the case, I selected the longest letter–Romans.
While seated in the library, I realized that First Congregational Church was across the street. In my innocence I thought the building would be open in an urban center on a Saturday. I walked across the street, went upstairs to the balcony and continued writing out by hand Paul’s letter.
Then I heard voices. No, not in my head. I heard two women’s voices downstairs. I went downstairs and started chatting with them. At some point in that conversation, I heard myself saying that I was going to be a Congregational minister.
At some point in the preceding twelve months–after God sovereignly drew me to Himself–God had already begun calling me into the ministry. Soon I would be introduced to one of my all time heroes of the faith and the pastorate.
That is because my junior year was the year for American Literature in English class. At some point I read a few paragraphs of Jonathan Edwards’ “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” sermon. I can still see that page of the book in my mind’s eye.
The Holy Spirit prompted me to think that there was more to this gentleman than fire and brimstone. So, when it came time to pick a topic for my first ever term paper, I chose Jonathan Edwards.
Once again, I chose a large topic. I now chuckle at my blissful ignorance of the magnitude of the theme I developed. The title was “The Development of the Thinking of Jonathan Edwards.” I visited the main library at the University of California in my city. There I first saw the early volumes of Yale Press’s series on the works of Jonathan Edwards.
Each student was supposed to report to Mrs. Herring on his or her paper. I remember sitting by her desk and quietly yet firmly telling her that there are still Puritans around today. There was a twinkle in both of our eyes when I said those words.
Fast forward to seminary. At Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary I saw the following words on a bumper sticker on Dr. Richard Lovelace’s door: “The World Needs More Puritans!” It was a thrill to be in New England, where Jonathan Edwards had spent most of his life.
When I returned to seminary–this time to pursue a Ph.D.–I wondered about the possibility of writing my dissertation (the ultimate large project?) on a topic having to do with Jonathan Edwards. I realized that the theme I had in mind–the influence of Jonathan Edwards on United of Church of Christ pastors–was more of an area for a Doctor of Ministry thesis. In addition, I took a look at a book that was comprised of paragraph summaries of all the dissertations written on Edwards-related subjects!
In 1990 I visited New England again to do some research on my dissertation. By then I had settled on the topic of the emphasis on preaching by the early missionaries with the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. I visited the Yale Divinity library for some of the sermons preached at the annual meeting of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.
While there I met a seventh generation direct lineal descendant of Jonathan Edwards–Jon Edwards! He escorted me to the Beineke rare book library. We went to the basement to the room where Edwards’ sermons are in boxes not dissimilar in shape to shoe boxes.
Jon allowed me to hold in my palm “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” I believe that is the closest I have ever come to venerating a saint or a relic!
Throughout my professional and academic career I have viewed Jonathan Edwards as an historical mentor. As a pastor, I have struggled over how to be pastoral and faithful when it comes to baptism. Jonathan Edwards reversed himself on the Halfway Covenant, which his own grandfather Stoddard had developed!
Edwards was removed from his pulpit after twenty years. I experienced a forced exit of my own. While in both cases–Edwards’ and mine–there was plenty of blame to go around, I resonate with his struggles and searching.
I share his passion for a relationship with Christ, to be a student of the Bible, to see revival in the land, and the glorious Gospel preached around the world.
Regrettably, First Congregational Church–where I was confirmed, first indicated my call to ministry, and first preached–has long ago lost their love for Edwards, Edwards’ God, and Edwards’ Bible. What would the former pastor have to say about that?
Academically, a dissertation has been written on Edwards’ influence on missions. This is seen in his publishing of David Brainerd’s diary, as well as his influence on American Board missionaries well into the 19th century.
Whatever area of life or learning we examine, I admire and seek to emulate the life and leadership of Jonathan Edwards.
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Phil Corr’s work on the web can be seen at: haystack06.org and fccofcc.com
Image courtesy Christianity Today
