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The preaching of Jonathan EdwardsGod-centred sermonsTHE PREACHING OF JONATHAN EDWARDS Jonathan Edwards was one of the giants of church history. His ministry in New England in the 18th century was marked by revivals, thousands being converted through his preaching. John Carrick, Associate Professor of Applied and Doctrinal Theology at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, South Carolina, has provided us here with a very valuable study of Edwards’s preaching, examining both its content and style in great detail. This is not a simple ‘Introduction to Jonathan Edwards’; some knowledge of his life is assumed. Nor is it an anthology of sermons, though many are quoted at length. It is a very scholarly book, and requires a serious intellectual effort. That effort, however, is well worthwhile. Having shown the God-centredness of Edwards’s sermons, and their emphasis upon the great spiritual themes, such as the sovereignty of God, the responsibility of man, Christ, heaven and hell, Carrick then analyses their formal structure, the use of imagery and repetition, and Edwards’s appeal to different categories of hearers. Further chapters deal with the various ‘uses’, or applications, that Edwards drew from his texts. Carrick shows that Edwards’s most famous sermon, ‘Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God’, was not altogether typical. Though he often preached on judgment, he also preached on more gentle themes, one of his greatest sermons being ‘Heaven is a world of love’. To the 21st-century reader, Edwards’s sermons may seem long and complicated; however, he always tried to preach in a plain style. It is fascinating to read how he simplified his style when preaching to the Indians. Carrick also deals with the myth that Edwards merely read his sermons. As a preacher himself, he rightly concludes by reminding us of his dependence on the Spirit. Great awakeningThis book will be of use to anyone interested in the Great Awakening, but especially to preachers. As Carrick says, it would be a mistake simply to copy Edwards, but there is much we can learn from him. I certainly came away with a number of ways I could improve my own preaching; I am sure others will too. Robert Dale,
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