The Spirit of Revival: Discovering the Wisdom of Jonathan Edwards - Hardcover

Parrish, Archie; Sproul, R. C.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1581341377 ISBN 13: 9781581341379

Publisher: Crossway Books, 2000

Synopsis

The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God by Jonathan Edwards is one of the great classics of revival literature. A key figure of the Great Awakening, Edwards wrote this important discourse in 1741 just after the revival had reached its peak. In it you will discover a thorough examination of the true and false signs of revival based on the exhortations found in 1 John 4. Edwards concludes that while many a Spirit-led movement is accompanied by excesses and actions of a questionable nature, these negative signs do not necessarily disqualify it as authentic. You may be surprised at Edwards's remarkable balance in embracing the genuine enthusiasm in these elements while disavowing that there is definitely no supernatural origin for them. His critique is kind and gentle as he points to the true marks of revival: love and humility.

In The Spirit of Revival, editor Dr. Archie Parrish makes Edwards's entire work accessible by modernizing the text and adding explanatory footnotes. R. C. Sproul's extended Introduction effectively compares Edwards's nineteenth century to our society, and the Preface by Edwards's contemporary, William Cooper, also rings resoundingly to today's church. Edwards's work therefore provides more than just insight into the Great Awakening of his day. It is a map to follow for all revivals in all times and is of abiding value for us today.

"One studies the time and backgrounds of some men in order to understand them. Others have such rare greatness that one studies them in order to understand their times.... Jonathan Edwards was such an original." --Paul Ramsey, editor of Edwards's ethical writings in the Yale critical edition

"No man is more relevant to the present condition of Christianity than Jonathan Edwards." --D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

"The western church... much of it drifting, enculturated, and infected with cheap grace... desperately needs to hear Edwards' challenge." --Charles Colson

"He speaks with an insight into science and psychology so much ahead of his time that our own can hardly be said to have caught up with him." --Perry Miller, former Harvard historian

"One of the most holy, humble and heavenly minded men that the world has seen since the apostolic age." --Ashbel Green, 1829, former president of the College of New Jersey

"... the profoundest reasoner, and the greatest divine... that America ever produced." --Samuel Davies, 1759

"He was a man who put faithfulness to the Word of God before every other consideration." --Iain Murray, Edwards biographer

"The disappearance of Edwards's [theocentric] perspective in American Christian history has been a tragedy." --Mark Noll, Wheaton College historian

About this title

About the Author

R. C. Sproul (Drs, Free University of Amsterdam) serves as senior minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Florida, and is the founder and president of Ligonier Ministries. He has taught at numerous colleges and seminaries, has written over seventy books, and is featured daily on Renewing Your Mind, an international radio broadcast.

Archie Parrish is the founder and president of Serve International and faithfully works to train evangelical churches in prayer discipleship.

JONATHAN EDWARDS (1703–1758) was a pastor, theologian, and missionary. He is generally considered the greatest American theologian. A prolific writer, Edwards is known for his many sermons, including "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God", and his classic Treatise Concerning Religious Affections. Edwards was appointed president of the College of New Jersey (later renamed Princeton University) shortly before his death. 

Review

"This edition will enable the curious to get a taste of eighteenth-century American religion and its most celebrated theologian."
—Gerald R. McDermott, Jordan-Trexler Professor of Religion, Roanoke College; co-author, The Theology of Jonathan Edwards

"This reader-friendly volume begins with an introductory essay by Sproul. . . . For readers unfamiliar with Edwards, Sproul's essay is a valuable introduction. The book includes a discussion guide and a suggested application of the material for small-group settings."
—Glenn Kreider, Professor of Theological Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary; Contributor, Bibliotheca Sacra

Edition details

• Publisher: Crossway Books
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1581341377
• ISBN 13: 9781581341379
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224