Edwards and the Edwardseans: Jonathan Edwards, the New Divinity, and the Making of a Theological Culture

Edwards and the Edwardseans gathers into a single volume eight of the author’s previously published articles and chapters. Suitable as either a basic or supplementary text for interested lay people and graduate students, this book serves as an introduction to the central spiritual and theological interests of Jonathan Edwards and to the long shadow those interests cast on his eponymous followers. The first four chapters (Part One) focus on Jonathan Edwards—his formative role in the Great Awakening, his biblical understanding of conversion, his perspective on petitionary prayer, and his influence on missionary endeavors. The following four chapters (Part Two) trace a well-defined theological movement from Edwards to his second- and especially third-generation followers. The impact of this movement resulted in the creation of a distinct theological culture that, over two generations, was institutionalized in informal seminaries or “schools of the prophets” in colleges attended by New Divinity students and staffed by New Divinity presidents and in missionary outreach both at home and abroad. Taken together, these chapters introduce theological subjects that mattered most to Edwards and his disciples: spiritual revival, conversion, the Bible, prayer, and extending the kingdom of God.

David W. Kling is a professor in the department of Religious Studies at the University of Miami.