Jonathan Edwards Early Colonial Theologist And Religious...

Jonathan Edwards: Early Colonial Theologist and Religious Revivalist Jonathan Edwards (1703-1759) played a historic part in American Christianity as we know it today. He was a notorious religious figure during a time when Congregationalists were determined to adhere to the religious styles of old. His intellectual and theological reason, along with his fervent zeal fueled by the Holy Spirit, makes him one of the greatest evangelistic preachers and apologists of all time. His life, works, and sermons inspired other leaders to spread the gospel message and brought about life-altering revivals and conversions in those he reached. The first Great Awakening, forerunner to the American Revolution and Protestant missionary expansion,†¦show more content†¦After his first graduation, Edwards went on to continue his studies in theology and prepare for a life in ministry. Equally as successful with Edwards’s educational climb was his anointment in his pastoral call. Though he of ten questioned the sovereignty doctrine of God from an early age, his search for meaning and truth came about during his personal testimony of conversion when, at the age of seventeen he read 1 Timothy 1:17. It was then when he finally connected with the one and only true God that his life changed for the duration. It was this pivotal moment that marked his conversion and led to what would become the fervent, heart-felt preaching style that characterized his sermons and brought conviction to the hearts of the parishioners who heard him. Proceeding graduate school, he served as his grandfather, Solomon Stoddard’s, assistant at the Congregational Church in Northampton, Massachusetts for two years and later succeeded him as ordained minister following Stoddard’s death in 1726 (Reid, Pg. 380). It was during this pastoral that Edward’s evangelistic and apologetic reputation was at its peak. In 1741, William Cooper recommended his apologia to be used during the reviv als that were sweeping through the colonies (Lesser, Pg. 34). This set the stage for Edwards