This is the third post in my study of Jonathan Edwards famous text Religious Affections
If you would like to learn more about Jonathan Edwards himself, here is a link, to a previous post, that includes a one hour lecture by Dr. Steve Lawson.
In my first post, on this first section of the text, Jonathan Edwards looks at the fact that true religion is recognizable when we face trials and tribulations.
When looking at true religion, that is found in these afflictions, he finds that its central shimmering is love and joy, which he further labels "holy affections".
He then goes into a very interesting clarification on the meanings of affections, the will, the soul, the heart, our inclinations, and our understandings and concludes that "affections are no other that the more vigorous and sensible exercises of the inclination and will of the soul".
So we now understand what affections are, and furthermore, that there exists "holy affections".
In the conclusion, to Part 1 of the text, Jonathan Edwards turns his attention to his assertion that true religion, in great part, consists in the affections.
Lets continue our journey in Part 1 of this famous text...
Jonathan Edwards' assertion:
"True Religion, in great part, consists of the affections"
1.) "True religion consists in great measure, in the vigorous and lively actings of the inclination and will of the soul, and the fervent exercises of the heart" (Romans 12:11, Deut 10:12, Deut 6:4-6). Edwards goes on to say that the things of religion, to the informed heart, are so incredibly great that it requires vigorous exercise of the heart. Anything less is foul smelling to God. As we exercise our bodies, so should we exercise the mind to the things of Christ. True religion is found in these exercises.
2.) God has endowed our human nature with affections, and has made these affections, the "springboard" of all that we do. Edwards state that without affections, the world would stand still. The world is busy and active because of man's affections. If all love, hatred, hope, fear, anger, zeal, and such things were taken away, the world would be dead to action. The businessman is driven by his affections towards wealth and fame, the mother is driven by her affections for her children. Even so, the lover of pornography is driven by his affection towards lustful things and the thief is driven by his affection for things not his. Our nature is driven by our affections. So too, says Edwards, our holy affections (Godly affections) are the springboard of true religion. Thus, true religion can be found in Godly affections.
3.) True religion can, must, and will affect the heart. Edwards "boldly asserts" that, "there never was any considerable change wrought in the mind or conversation of any person, by anything of a religious nature, that ever he read, heard or saw, that had not his affections moved". There are multitudes of people who have heard of the things of Christ with no affect. Yet, those who indeed hear the voice of Christ, are deeply moved. It is utterly impossible to understand the things of Christ and not be moved and affected by them. True religion is only found in the heart that is deeply moved and affected by the things of Christ.
4.) The Scriptures are full of references that find true faith in the affections. Edwards lists ten examples in his text: fear (Pro 2:5), hope (Ps 33:18), love (Matt 22:37-40), hatred (Pro 8:13), desire (Ps 42:1-2), joy (Phil 4:4), sorrow (Matt 5:4), gratitude (Col 3:16), compassion (Pro 14:31), and zeal (Tit 2:14). Edwards makes it clear that the Scriptures are so full of affections that you would have to throw away the Bible and find another book to live by in order to avoid affection. True religion lies in the affections and this is upheld by Scriptures constant reference to them.
5.) Edwards come back around to speak more fully of the affection of love. He states, "the Scriptures do represent true religion, as being summarily comprehended in love, the chief of the affections, and fountain of all other affections". Edwards makes the argument that Christ told us that the whole of the law hanged on love of God, and love of our neighbors (Matt 22:37-40). "But", he says, "the essence of all true religion lies in holy love, and that in this divine affection , and an habitual disposition to it, and that light which is the foundation of it, and those things which are the fruits of it, consists the whole of religion. True religion is found in the act, and habitual disposition to, agape love.
Edwards has five more points to make in defending his assertion. However, once again, I think we have more than enough to chew on in this post. It seems nearly criminal to me to simple blast through these exquisite points without time to meditate on them.
I have certainly found his very first point to be true in my life. I have dedicated considerable time to the study of the scriptures in the past year. In these hundreds of hours of study, I have found that my affections are considerably stronger to the things of Christ. Many of the things of this world that were a constant entanglement are significantly less desirable to me now and I do seem to have one eye looking towards eternity.
I suspect if I had attempted to read this book three years ago, I would not have made it past the preface. Now, given the opportunity to sit at the feet of one of Christianity's giants, I come running with anticipation.
See you in the next post with Edwards remaining five points.
Do any of these stick out to you in your life? I would love to hear from you.
