Month: November 2021

In his 1746 Religious Affections Jonathan Edwards offered “Twelve Distinguishing Signs of Truly Gracious and Holy Affections” to distinguish genuine faith from fading forms of religion. In his eighth sign Edwards summarized the disposition found in every redeemed soul. “Truly gracious affections differ from those affections that are false and delusive, in that they tend …

Jonathan Edwards’ “Twelve Distinguishing Signs of Truly Gracious and Holy Affections” in his 1746 Religious Affections defended the authenticity of New England’s recent “great awakening.” For many the awakening was simply a passing spiritual fad, and critics now dismissed the entire event. Edwards, however, meant to distinguish true transformations from those that didn’t last. His …

Jonathan Edwards offered “Twelve Distinguishing Signs of Truly Gracious and Holy Affections” in his 1746 Religious Affections. A spiritual awakening in New England, and in Edwards’ church, had come and gone, and afterwards skeptics were dismissive of the whole thing. Edwards was more measured, discriminating God’s authentic reformation from the passing fads of revivalism. The …