Jonathan Edwards' principles of awakening preaching
Jonathan Edwards is rightly titled America's first great theologian and philosopher, yet in terms of his historical influence he is foremost a preacher. This thesis links Edwards' philosophy to his preaching passion by demonstrating how his desire to establish a communication theory brought cohesion to his far-reaching philosophical interests. More specifically, this study shows how Edwards' speculative analysis on the composition of the human soul is motivated by his desire to configure a preaching strategy compatible with the soul's content and conduct. Jonathan Edwards' philosophy and its relation to his sermon writing is introduced in the first two chapters. The third chapter presents Edwards' conception of the human soul as an arrangement of mental powers which he calls ~principles.~ Although the converted soul owns both natural and supernatural principles, Edwards' evangelistic preaching strategically targets the natural principles operating unaccompanied in the sinner. Focusing on Edwards' preaching to the unconverted, the next four chapters are devoted to an examination of the four natural principles: human reason; simple imagination; common affection and natural conscience. Each natural principle
Treash, Stephen Alden
Sermons; Human soul; Evangelism
Jonathan Edwards' principles of awakening preaching. Jonathan Edwards is rightly titled America's first great theologian and philosopher, yet in terms of his historical influence he is foremost a preacher. This thesis links Edwards' philosophy to his preaching passion by demonstrating how his desire to establish a communication theory brought cohesion to his far-reaching philosophical interests. More specifically, this study shows how Edwards' speculative analysis on the composition of the human soul is motivated by his desire to configure a preaching strategy compatible with the soul's content and conduct. Jonathan Edwards' philosophy and its relation to his sermon writing is introduced in the first two chapters. The third chapter presents Edwards' conception of the human soul as an arrangement of mental powers which he calls ~principles.~ Although the converted soul owns both natural and supernatural principles, Edwards' evangelistic preaching strategically targets the natural principles operating unaccompanied in the sinner. Focusing on Edwards' preaching to the unconverted, the next four chapters are devoted to an examination of the four natural principles: human reason; simple imagination; common affection and natural conscience. Each natural principle
edwards principle awaken preaching edwards rightly title america first great theologian philosopher yet term historical influence foremost preacher link edwards philosophy preach passion demonstrate desire establish communication theory bring cohesion far_reaching philosophical_interest specifically study_show edwards speculative analysis composition human_soul motivate desire configure preach strategy compatible soul content conduct edwards philosophy relation sermon writing introduce first_two chapter third present edwards conception_human soul arrangement mental power call principles although soul own natural supernatural principle edwards evangelistic preach strategically target natural principle operate sinner focusing edwards preaching devote examination natural principle human_reason simple imagination common affection natural conscience natural principle