One of Jonathan Edwards’ Pneumatological Convictions
The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards are well-known. They can easily be misconstrued, though. One might think that they were being attempted on the basis of native strength. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Here is Edwards in his Diary for January 2, 1722 (less than a year after his conversion):
“I find, by experience, that, let me make resolutions, and do what I will, with never so many inventions, it is all nothing, and to no purpose at all, without the motions of the Holy Spirit; for if the Spirit of God should be as much withdrawn from me…, I should not grow, but should languish, and miserably fade away.”[1]
[1] Cited Sereno E. Dwight, “Memoirs of Jonathan Edwards, A. M.” in The Works of Jonathan Edwards, revised and corr. Edward Hickman (1834 ed.; repr. Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1987), 1:xxiv].
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March 30th, 2007 at 11:15 pm
What a wonderful quote. Isn’t it amazing that a man could experience the Holy Spirit so much in his life that he knew without Him, he was but a vapor, a breath, and all his work, efforts and words in vain? I think this is what Jesus meant when He said that some will cry but Lord I did this and that in your name and He shall say, “depart from me, for I never knew you.”
It’s not about doing in His name. It’s about allowing Him to do through us as He so pleases, don’t you think? selahV
March 31st, 2007 at 5:58 pm
I am not sure I would express it that way exactly–maybe Phil 2:12-13 puts it best. Thanks for your thought-provokling reflection.
Michael.
March 31st, 2007 at 10:40 pm
I like that reference, too. Especially “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” I see that fitting quite nicely with my reflection. I’m a woman after all.
It’s kinda like washing the dishes. I can stick them in the water and leave them sit, but they won’t get done unless I add some elbow grease to the dipping. I think I’m the dipper and God’s the elbow grease. You might see it differently.
But I can’t do anything apart from God, for without Him I am nothing. So He gets all the glory–even for the thoughts I have. We must after all even bring those into captivity to the obedience of Christ. As we work out our salvation, correct? thanks for responding. selahV I found you through Nathan’s site, I think.
April 1st, 2007 at 5:16 pm
Thank you for this post. I have read Edwards’ resolutions numerous times, but don’t recall ever seeing this particular quote. It is easy to read Edwards’ resolutions and despair of ever measuring up. It is good to be reminded of our dependence on the Holy Spirit in all this, and nice to see that Edwards made note of this as well.
November 28th, 2007 at 6:15 pm
Hello! Thank you for sharing this. I’m doing a presentation on Edwards for my class, and I admire his resolutions, but I also wondered if he was relying on his own strength too much. This clarifies it for me and gives me a quote to share with my class on this.
Thank you!