I am finally pleased to report back on Douglas A. Sweeney’s book Jonathan Edwards and the Ministry of the Word: A Model of Faith and Thought. This is a delightful book that is engagingly written for the non-specialist. This book has the merit of being written for Christians so that the true place of the Scriptures in the life and thought of Edwards is not only not ignored or denied or explained away, but is put on display for all to see. I only have two gripes. The first is that Sweeney seems to be somewhat dismissive or satirical when he notes Edwards’ willingness to subscribe to the substance of the Westminster Confession and his preference for Presbyterian church government over his own home-grown Congregationalism (169). Sweeney notes that Edwards’ comments have “thrilled the souls of Presbyterians everywhere.” This may be a facetious statement on Sweeney’s part as he indicates his awareness of Presbyterians (like Charles Hodge and B. B. Warfield of Old Princeton) who were selective in their use of Edwards. Hodge and Warfield were appreciative of Edwards. However, the problematic heirs of Edwards rightly dampened Old Princeton’s enthusiasm for Edwards. And here is the source of my other concern with Sweeney’s book. Actually it is not so much with this book as with another (and this one too). Sweeney seems to have it as one of his goals to rehabilitate the reputations of theologians of the so-called New England theology. Frankly, this indigenous American school of theology is better left in the dustbin of history. Or so I think. But I am inclined toward Old School Presbyterianism so I cannot be said to be unbaised. Anyway, with these two caveats aside, this is a very useful introduction to the life and thought of Jonathan Edwards.
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naïve. (Romans 16:17-18)