Signs of the Spirit: An Interpretation of Jonathan Edwards’ Religious Affections
Overview
Sam Storms, one of evangelicalism’s experts on Jonathan Edwards, has attempted to bridge the gap between what Edwards said in the eighteenth century and how he might say it today. In Signs of the Spirit, Storms articulates the substance of Edwards’ arguments in a more understandable way to make his work accessible to a wider audience. This volume serves those both inside and outside the academic realm as valuable preparation for, or a companion guide to, a reading of Edwards’ Religious Affections.
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- Storms’ interpretation and analysis of Jonathan Edwards’ Religious Affections
- Makes Edwards’ work accessible to a wider audience
- Bridges the gap between what Edwards said in the eighteenth century and how he might say it today
Top Highlights
“Far too many people find their comfort and assurance not in the beauty of the truth of Scripture but in what they perceive to be the immediate and sudden way in which the Spirit supposedly brings such truths to their minds. It is the experience of the revelation and not its essence in which they put their trust. Subsequently, their joy and confidence in life ‘is not anything contained in, or taught by these Scriptures, as they lie in the Bible, but the manner of their coming to them; which is a certain evidence of their delusion.’” (Page 85)
“‘what are the distinguishing qualifications of those that are in favor with God, and entitled to his eternal rewards.’1 Simply put, he endeavored to identify what constitutes true and authentic spirituality. Or, to put it in the form of a question: Are there certain features or characteristics in human thought and behavior that serve as ‘signs’ of the saving activity and presence of the Spirit of God?” (Page 21)
“So with a view to ‘affecting’ sinners and not merely ‘informing’ them, God has appointed that his Word be applied in a particularly lively way through preaching.” (Page 54)
“It’s important to remember, however, that the mind, not the body, is the seat and source of spiritual affections” (Page 44)
“He who has no religious affection, is in a state of spiritual death, and is wholly destitute of the powerful, quickening, saving influences of the Spirit of God upon his heart.” (Page 56)
Jonathan Edwards’ Religious Affections remains one of the most discerning works of spiritual psychology published in the last several centuries. Dr. Samuel Storms’ unpacking of this significant work, along with his treatment of Edwards’ ‘Personal Narrative,’ reveals once again for a new generation why the old Puritan so much deserves the most careful study today.
—Mark A. Noll, Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History, University of Notre Dame
After nearly 300 years, these gems of Edwards continue to sparkle. It is no exaggeration to say that they stand as two of the best, most profound, and practically useful guides to everyday Christian living ever written. Sam Storms has done a superb job interpreting them for twenty-first century followers of Jesus. His vivid paraphrases are easy to read and always edifying. I pray that many will read and meditate upon this labor of love—and then move on to delve into Edwards’ own writings.
Douglas A. Sweeney, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
- Title: Signs of the Spirit: An Interpretation of Jonathan Edwards’ Religious Affections
- Author: Sam Storms
- Publisher: Crossway
- Print Publication Date: 2007
- Logos Release Date: 2013
- Pages: 240
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Conversion › Christianity--History of doctrines--18th century; Emotions › Religious aspects--Christianity--History of doctrines--18th century; Edwards, Jonathan, 1703-1758 › Treatise concerning the religious affections; Edwards, Jonathan, 1703-1758 › Faithful narrative of the surprising work of God
- Resource ID: LLS:SIGNSSPIRIT
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-02-12T05:37:37Z
Sam Storms earned a ThM in historical theology from Dallas Theological Seminary and a PhD in intellectual history from the University of Texas at Dallas. He is the founder of Enjoying God Ministries, senior pastor of Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and a former visiting professor of theology at Wheaton College. He has authored over two dozen books and served as president of the Evangelical Theological Society.