Jonathan Edwards and Scripture: Biblical Exegesis in British North America
David P. Barshinger and Douglas A. Sweeney
Abstract
Jonathan Edwards and Scripture provides a fresh look at the important, burgeoning field of Edwards and the Bible. For too long, Edwards scholars have published new research on Edwards without paying due attention to the work he took most seriously: biblical exegesis. Edwards is recognized as an innovative theologian who wielded tremendous influence on revivalism, evangelicalism, and New England theology, but what is often missed is how much time he devoted to studying and understanding the Bible. He kept voluminous notebooks on Christian Scripture and had plans for major treatises on the Bible ... More
Jonathan Edwards and Scripture provides a fresh look at the important, burgeoning field of Edwards and the Bible. For too long, Edwards scholars have published new research on Edwards without paying due attention to the work he took most seriously: biblical exegesis. Edwards is recognized as an innovative theologian who wielded tremendous influence on revivalism, evangelicalism, and New England theology, but what is often missed is how much time he devoted to studying and understanding the Bible. He kept voluminous notebooks on Christian Scripture and had plans for major treatises on the Bible before he died. Edwards scholars need to take stock of the place of the Bible in his thought to do justice to his theology and legacy. In fact, more and more experts are recognizing how important this aspect of his life is, and this book brings together the insights of leading Edwards scholars on this topic. This volume seeks to increase our understanding of Edwards’ engagement with Scripture by setting it in the context of seventeenth-century Protestant exegesis and eighteenth-century colonial interpretation. It provides case studies of Edwards’ exegesis in varying genres of the Bible and probes his use of Scripture to develop theology. It also sets his biblical interpretation in perspective by comparing it with that of other exegetes. This book advances our understanding of the nature and significance of Edwards’ work with Scripture and opens new lines of inquiry for students of early modern Western history.
Keywords:
Jonathan Edwards,
Bible,
exegesis,
biblical interpretation,
early modern Western history,
Scripture,
British colonial America
Bibliographic Information
Print publication date: 2018 |
Print ISBN-13: 9780190249496 |
Published to Oxford Scholarship Online: April 2018 |
DOI:10.1093/oso/9780190249496.001.0001 |
Authors
Affiliations are at time of print publication.
David P. Barshinger, editor
Editor, Crossway Books
Douglas A. Sweeney, editor
Distinguished Professor of Church History and the History of Christian Thought and Director of the Jonathan Edwards Center, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
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