Holy Living
What do Jonathan Edwards’s Resolutions reveal about his life and mind? In Holy Living, Matthew Everhard shares Jonathan Edwards’s Seventy Resolutions for Living the Christian Life.
A Prolific Writing Life for Spiritual Purposes
In just over a tight 150 pages, Everhard’s scholarship on Jonathan Edwards is presented through the lens of his famous resolutions. He explains each resolution while referencing Edwards’s other works. The book is divided into 3 parts that correspond to 3 categories of the resolutions: (1) Existential resolutions: the meaning and purpose of life, (2) ethical resolutions: how then should we live? and (3) eschatological resolutions: the brevity of life and eternal world to come.”
I was fascinated by Edwards’ prolific writing life. “He wrote not so much for publication as for self-expansion and improvement.” His writing served his spiritual life, particularly in helping him match his head to his heart. This Puritan mindset is explained towards the beginning of the book: “For the Puritans, the distinction between religion and relationship was a false dichotomy; Christianity was self-evidently a soul-deep relationship with he Living God through the work of Christ, empowered by the presence of the Holy Spirit.” His hard work and spiritual life remain inspiring.
An Emphasis on Personal Holiness
While Everhard makes reference and comments on Edwards’ published works, I was most interested in his “Blank Bible.” These were notes that he kept as a running commentary on the Bible. While these would eventually be published, I was amazed at how engaged he was with Scripture for his own edification.
There are also moments where Edwards’ humanity and an awareness of his sin come out. For example, in his 60th resolution, he resolves to examine himself when his feelings are out of order. Everhard reports that Edwards had noted a parallel entry in his journal regarding a fight he had with his parents. Everhard also comments on a number of Edwards’ resolutions that regard his speech. The emphasis on his personal holiness is remarkable.
The Resolutions Remain Inspiring
I was most moved in the section that focused on Edwards’ resolutions regarding the brevity of this life and the eternal world to come. It seems like wasted time was a vice that Edwards particularly disliked. Everhard recalls Edwards’ sermons “The Preciousness of Time” and “Redeeming the Time.”
The book ends by reminding us that Edwards is still a stained-glass saint. While we may be quick to champion and maybe even idolize, his life still has the marks of a fallen and sinful human. Nevertheless, the resolutions remain inspiring — and we can all do our best to resolve to live a life for Christ.
I received a media copy of Holy Living and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.