Jonathan Edwards on the New Birth in the Spirit: An Introduction to the Life, Times, and Thought of America's Greatest Theologian (Paperback or Softback)

As we see an anemic Christendom today in its witness, ethics, and influence, we find the correctives and the guidance we need in the works of Jonathan Edwards--revivalist preacher, philosopher, and theologian. In this insightful book, former pastor and missionary Peter Doyle presents Edwards' theology in a comprehensive scope: in its cultural context, against its adversaries, and with all its practical and pastoral implications.

Doyle paints for readers a clear picture of how Edwards understands the 'new birth'. A cursory treatment of being born again this is not. The great revivals under Edwards' preaching gave to the converts a sense of the glory of God, their own sinfulness, and a humility before the sacrifice of Christ for their sin.

For a day when scientific knowledge, sexual interpretation, and moral laws are divorced from God, Edwards speaks. Doyle himself has drawn on these teachings in his own ministry, and he ably shows their importance and relevance today. Biblical truth in the hands of Edwards lives mightily. Edwards in the hand of Peter Doyle comes alive with his elegant writing, clarity of ideas, and love for the subject.

As a pastor and missionary, Peter Reese Doyle has spent most of his adult life studying and teaching the writings of Christianity's great thinkers.Peter studied at Virginia (Episcopal) Theological Seminary in Virginia and at Seabury-Western Seminary in Illinois, receiving a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1957.In 1963 Peter received a Masters of Divinity from the University of Basel, where at the suggestion of Professor Karl Barth he chose to study Jonathan Edwards' extensive writings on the work of God's Spirit in human lives.Peter and his wife, Sally Ann, served as Episcopal missionaries at Cuttington College and Divinity School in Liberia where he taught theology and she taught French.Peter later served as a pastor in Virginia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama and taught theology at several seminaries.Since retiring from the pastorate in 2006, Peter has continued his ministry of writing inspirational adventure stories for young readers (_The Daring Family Adventures_ series and The Drums of War series).

G. Wright Doyle received a B.A. with Honors in Latin from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1966; a B.D. (M.Div.) with Honors from the Virginia Theological Seminary in 1969; and a PhD. in Classics from the University of North Carolina in 1975, with a dissertation on St. Augustine. He studied Mandarin Chinese at the Taipei Language Institute in Taiwan (1976-1978, 1980-1981). From 1980 to 1988, he taught Greek and New Testament at China Evangelical Seminary, Taipei. Since 1989, the Doyles have lived in Charlottesville, Virginia, where they reach out to Chinese connected with the University of Virginia through Bible studies, friendship, and advising Chinese Christians. Wright has preached in Chinese churches and taught intensive courses on the New Testament and Systematic Theology for Chinese language seminaries in North America and Taiwan. He has presented papers at academic meetings and lectured at universities in mainland China, England, Taiwan, and the United States.