The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards (A Long Line of Godly Men Profile)

Dr. Steve Lawson has done it again with his book "The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards." If you are familiar with Dr. Lawson's preaching ministry, you are certainly aware that he is a gifted communicator and equally gifted writer. During my quest to devourer the works of Jonathan Edwards (Hendriksen edition) I came across this short yet concise book containing 9 chapters packed with the highly theological yet immensely practical thoughts of Jonathan Edwards. What I love most about Jonathan Edwards is his ability to clearly communicate biblical truths while leaving the reader wanting more. Dr. Lawson's preaching ministry is one in the same, if Edwards were alive today I believe he and Dr. Lawson would be friends as both have a God entranced view of all things.The book itself is a short, enjoyable, challenging read. With 9 chapters in all and the Resolutions of Edwards printed at the end, you can easily read this title on a rainy weekend alongside a fire with your coffee or tea in hand. One thing is for certain, as you Progress through this text, you will find yourself setting the book down on your lap, and thinking what life would be like if you viewed everything in your life through a God entranced lens. What would your relationship with your wife be like if you did everything for the glory of God and consequently the joy you receive IN Him. Anyone who is familiar with Pastor John Piper knows what I am talking about when I say IN Him as opposed to by Him. If you don't, read this book and you will walk away understanding what it means to find absolute joy in your life IN God.At the end of the book, the Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards are provided for the joy of the reader. If you have not read these insightful and challenging resolutions yet- you should immediately, as they are very powerful and have been extremely fruitful in my own personal walk with God. For example Edwards writes: "4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it." How many people do you know in modern Christianity who have set this as a resolution in their walk with God? I can certainly attest that I fall short in doing this.In another resolution Edwards challenges himself by writing "7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life." This resolution ties into the ninth chapter of Dr. Lawson's book titled "The Posture of Self Examination" where Dr. Lawson demonstrates how Edwards-much like all Puritan pastors- continually examined his life to determine if he was falling short in glorifying God in all things. Oh, how the church would be today if people took this example from the Puritan divines seriously and applied it to their own lives. In all, the book is well written, an excellent demonstration of Edwards' theology, and belongs on the shelf of all Christians alongside the other texts written by Dr. Lawson.Soli Deo Gloria!

** This review originally appeared on longing4truth.com **The name Jonathan Edwards will ring a bell of familiarity with most Christians today. For many, Edwards is considered to be America’s foremost theologian. His intellect remains unsurpassed throughout American Colonial Church History. His pastoral care and commitment to sound theology were trademarks that followed him throughout his life. Jonathan Edwards was par excellence in every facet of his life, ministry and family. As important as these things are in the legacy of Edwards, perhaps he was best known by his contemporaries for his desire to grow in holiness. Edwards was a man who pursued holiness. It was not his intellect, his great scholarly works, or even his well known sermons that made Edwards who he was. It was the Spirit-generated desire within him to “be holy as the Lord your God is holy.”In the book, The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards, Steven Lawson has undertaken the task of uncovering the practical disciplines that Edwards applied in his life to help him in this pursuit of holiness. Referencing what Edwards called his “Resolutions”, Lawson opens as it were the heart of Edwards in revealing the practical ways which he pursued the holiness that he came to be known for. The “Resolutions,” which are 70 in number, were used by Edwards to keep check on sinful tendencies that he feared would hinder his growth in his pursuit of sanctification. Lawson states that these resolutions were meant to serve as a “personal mission statement that would guide and discipline him in the pursuit of godliness” (26).Lawson begins the book by giving a brief biographical sketch of Edwards’ life in Chapter one. This sketch allows the reader to follow historical markers of Edwards’ life as Lawson gives some background to the Resolutions and the circumstances that may have prompted their inclusion. Lawson dedicates Chapter 2 to the observation of how important the resolutions were to Edwards. Lawson states that the Resolutions represented a “firm determination to keep spiritual priorities before him” (31). The third Chapter is a short examination of the preamble to the Resolutions, as Edwards himself states it.In the remainder of the book, chapters 4-9, Lawson organizes the Resolutions under six headings, each representing what Edwards felt was most important in this pursuit — a sort of order of priority. These headings are, “The Priority of God’s Glory,” “The Putting Away of Sin,” “The Precipice of Eternity,” “The Passion of Discipline,” “The Practice of Love,” and finally “The Posture of Self Examination.” Lawson does a masterful job of tying entries from Edwards’ diary that make mention of the importance of these Resolutions and how Edwards sought to reflect upon them daily. They were, as Lawson states, “to help direct his heart and life in the pursuit of godliness” (28). Edwards resolved to go over all 70 of them daily.The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards is a must read for any who long to be students of the life and works of Edwards. The “Resolutions” set the mark high, very high for Edwards, and his diary entries reveal how difficult he saw this task at different times (indeed, this is one of the reasons I found the book so appealing). It reveals Edwards not just in the sunlight of steady growth and mortification of sin but also in the clouds of discouragement and even despair over his failure to obey and his inclination to sin. This book reveals that Edwards saw himself as a Romans 7 man, yet at the same time a man that desired to pursue holiness at all cost. No discipline was too pressing if it would purge sin from Edwards’ life.I found the book to be very helpful in reminding me that holiness comes only with great discipline and sacrifice. It served as a reminder that the time to parlay with the world has come for all believers, and that we are to be in the world but not of the world. May God grant us all the same feverish desire and unwavering resolve that Edwards had in his pursuit of godliness. I highly recommend this book.In accordance with FTC regulations, I would like to thank Reformation Trust Publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Jonathan Edwards was a remarkable Christian. He possessed a rare combination of brilliance and holiness which led to his being remembered as the greatest theologian--possibly Christian--that has ever lived on American soil.In The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards, Dr. Steven Lawson examines the 70 resolutions that were written by Edwards as an 18 and 19 year old while serving in his first pastorate. Throughout his life, Edwards examined himself and his spiritual progress by reviewing these resolutions weekly.Dr. Lawson gives us a brief biography followed by a thorough review of the resolutions and their major themes. The goal of the book, in the words of the author, is to "challenge a new generation of believers to pursue holiness in their daily lives." It is certainly convicting and inspiring, and if there is ever a book other than the Bible that will challenge one to pursue holiness, this is it.The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards is the second book in Dr. Lawson's series: A Long Line of Godly Men. It would be a great addition to any library, and it is highly recommended to anyone interested in Puritan theology or in their own personal sanctification.

I love this book so far because it tells how much God blessed Edwards in his pilgrimage. It spurs me on to press on, knowing a student will never go farther than his teacher, I want a really good teacher and Edwards is just that. Check it out.