This morning brings us to our fifth reading in Jonathan Edwards’ The Religious Affections. This week’s reading was a very short one—just a few pages. I know that several of you took the opportunity to catch up with last week’s lengthy reading. So hopefully by now we are all on the same page!
Summary
In the Introduction to the book’s third part, Edwards asks the reader to keep three things in mind as he describes the distinguishing signs of truly gracious and holy affections (and here I’m relying on Sam Storms’ excellent summaries of these points):
- There will never be a time or system or standard of analysis of such issues that will yield infallible results. We will never be able to claim that we can, without error, discern who is a believer and who is not.
- We should not expect to find biblical signs that will enable a backslidden person to reassure himself that he is in a good way with God. It is God’s design that backslidden persons should have no assurance of their salvation.
- We should not expect that the signs by which we hope to differentiate between true and false affections will ever prove sufficient to convince those who are hypocrites and who have been deceived about their salvation.
Keeping these things in mind, we’ll turn in the following weeks to the twelve signs which will allow us to distinguish true religion from false religion.
Discussion
Because we read only a few pages, there was not a lot of content to interact with this week. However, there was one section that jumped off the pages at me. I very much appreciated Edwards’ exhortation that it is God’s design that men obtain assurance not by thinking a lot about assurance and not by a process of rigorous self-examination, but primarily through “mortifying corruption, and increasing in grace, and obtaining the lively exercises of it.” So assurance is obtained less by self-examination and more by action.
Edwards gives the example of the Apostle Paul and says, “He obtained assurance of winning the prize, more by running than by considering. The swiftness of his pace did more towards his assurance of a conquest than the strictness of his examination.” This is such an important point and I am guessing it is one Edwards will return to later in the book. When we experience moments of concern or doubt about our salvation, so often we can spend time thinking about ourselves and looking primarily inward for assurance of our faith. But the Bible makes it clear that we will be known by what we do and what we are. So we need to look outwards to see if we are putting sin to death and if we are living in the way Christ tells us to live. Here we will see whether or not we are being conformed to His image and whether our not our trust is in Him.
Finally, I was glad to see Edwards affirm that we can never know perfectly whether or not another person is saved. “It was never God’s design to give us any rules by which we may certainly know who of our fellow professors are His, and to make a full and clear separation between sheep and goats.” God has reserved this infallible knowledge for Himself and so we look for distinguishing characteristics, always knowing that we are so easily fooled.
Next Time
For next week we will read the first distinguishing sign of truly gracious and holy affections. This is a long section (around 40 pages in my edition) but I don’t see any real benefit in dividing it into two readings. So please read that section for next Thursday. Because it is a lengthy reading, you may wish to begin in the next day or two!
Your Turn
As always, I am eager to know what you gained from this part of the book. Feel free to post comments below or to write about this on your own blog (and then post a comment linking us to your thoughts). Do not feel that you can only say anything if you are going to say something that will wow us all. Just add a comment with some of the things you gained from the this week’s reading. To this point the discussion has been excellent!
Comments (14) »
1. David Porter
August 14, 2008
9:36 AM
I found it interesting that last week there was a comment from someone asking if, after reading this text, they had lost their faith yet.
It would seem that the only one certain of their faith is the hypocrite. The hypocrite is so certain and puffed up in his false faith, that Satan has no need to attack this persons faith. He is deluded and will be a fellow cell mate in hell.
The carnal Christian has no assurance of their faith, because as Edwards tells us, there is a severe defect in the object and furthermore, that object has a defect in his sight. God has designed that the carnal Christian find no comfort (assurance) while living in a sinful way.
This also leads to an understanding that the true Christian will be the object of Satan’s attacks. Satan is the master of lies and deception. He would have no greater pleasure than to confuse the daylights out of those of us who are about to delve into this text.
We have a most beautiful promise from Christ that none will be lost. If we indeed have a true faith, then it can not be snatched away. If we fear that we don’t have a true faith, then this truth faith is always available to us on our knees in humble belief and submission to our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ.
So…lets gird up our loins and run the race through the teachings of this coming section. If any find themselves in great fear, let us reach out our hands, to our brothers and sisters, and together run hard on the narrow path that leads to our eternal inheritance.
I have my armor all shined up, and being a David, have lots of shiny stones for my sling. I welcome the doubt (Goliath) in my life, and I have a nice shiny rock to slay him (this doubt) should he come my way.
Do I have some fear? Sure…but that is God’s design as well.
So…with fear and trembling, I run forward. See you next week (Lord willing).
Here is my post on this weeks assignment: http://www.boomerinthepew.com/2008/08/jonathan-edwa-1.html
2. Brother Eugene
August 14, 2008
12:05 PM
The substance of Edwards’ 3rd point stood out to me very strikingly, when he writes of not having hope of:
“convincing any considerable number of that sort of hypocrites, who have been deceived with great false discoveries and affections, and are once settled in a false confidence, and high conceit of their own supposed great experiences and privileges. Such hypocrites are so conceited of their own wisdom, and so blinded and hardened with a very great self-righteousness (but very subtle and secret, under the disguise of great humility), and so invincible a fondness of their pleasing conceit of their great exaltation, that it usually signifies nothing at all to lay before them the most convincing evidences of their hypocrisy. Their state is indeed deplorable, and next to those who have committed the unpardonable sin. Some of this sort of persons seem to be most out of the reach of means of conviction and repentance.”
Edwards gives such an in-depth description of this sort of hypocrite, yet I honestly cannot think of anybody I have ever known who would certainly fall into this category.
In fact, from the description itself it seems that this type of hypocrite almost certainly will not be visible (or obvious) to the casual Christian observer.
So I guess I am stuck wishing that Edwards would have given some practical examples of what this type of hypocrite looked like in “real life”.
Anyone have any thoughts on this?
3. Brother Eugene
August 14, 2008
12:28 PM
I think the reason why the paragraph describing this certain type of hypocrite has caught my attention so much is because I see so much in the description that could accurately describe how my own flesh (my “old man”) feels at certain moments when I am truly drawing closer to Christ and growing in certain graces.
It is terribly easy (for our flesh) to feel pride and conceit at just how “humble” we are becoming and how much we are growing closer to Christ.
It reminds me of the place in “The Screwtape Letters” where the demons are discussing how to take advantage of their patient’s recent conversion to Christianity:
“Catch him at a moment when he is really poor in spirit and smuggle into his mind the gratifying reflection “By jove! I’m being humble,” and almost immediately pride - pride at his own humility - will appear. If he awakes to the danger and tries to smother his new form of pride, make him proud of his attempt - and so on, through as many stages as you please. But don’t try this for too long, for fear you awake his sense of humour and proportion, in which case he will merely laugh at you and go to bed.”
4. Thomas Sullivan
August 14, 2008
4:13 PM
Brother Eugene: To answer your question it may be helpful to know something of the background of this treatise. There were some persons who were followers of James Davenport - during the Great Awakening in 1740, who may have fit this description. If you do not have the book, The Great Awakening, by Joseph Tracy written about 1844, look it up at books.google.com - and make sure you look at the full edition that is in the public domain. The Table of Contents are linked to the chapter and look at page 230 or chapter 14, On James Davenport. Though Davenport later wrote a “retraction” of his errors, his followers continued in their fanaticism and folly and would not repent of their errors.
In a letter in the appendix of the book, Lectures on Revival, William B Sprague, page 252 it says, “It is true, Mr. Davenport, in 1744, became sensible of his folly and
sin, and published an humble confession and recantation, in which he acknowledged that he had been actuated by a wrong spirit ; lamented many parts of his conduct ; and was in some measure restored to the fellowship of his injured brethren. But to repair the mischief which he had done was beyond his power. The friends of Zion had been
clad in mourning. Her enemies had triumphed. Truth lay bleeding in the streets. Congregations had been torn in pieces and scattered.
New societies had been established upon fanatical principles, and could not be reclaimed. Immortal souls had been disgusted with what claimed to be religion, driven from the house of God, and probably lost for ever. The enemies of real revivals of religion, who were many and powerful, had become confirmed and hardened in
their hostility. And many personal and ecclesiastical desolations had been produced, over which their author might mourn and weep, but which he could not remedy.
(Letter of Samuel Miller one of the founders of Princeton Seminary)
5. David Porter
August 14, 2008
9:11 PM
Brother Eugene,
When I was reading of the hypocrite, my mind was immediately drawn to a “pastor” or two, I have run across in my travels.
6. Brother Eugene
August 14, 2008
10:15 PM
Thanks guys!
7. Bill H
August 15, 2008
7:50 AM
I interpreted this section as a cautionary self-check we should make before getting into our pursuit of true religious affections. From my blog post …
I summarize these three cautions as: 1) The caution of humility—approach this process with sincere humility; 2) The caution of self-deception—we can easily deceive ourselves, only real God-given grace can prevent that; and, 3) The caution of legalism—ritualistic rules-following will never accomplish true holiness.
8. David Porter
August 15, 2008
10:36 AM
Bill H,
I am not a world class writer and I hope that I can express my point without pointing a finger, or in any way leaving you convinced that I am attempting to besmirch your fine comment.
Certainly it makes sense that we reflect on our own lives as Edwards lays the ground rules for the coming lessons.
I guess I feel compelled to voice a caution to the group as we continue. Nowhere has Edwards declared this treatise as one for the purpose of self reflection.
I suspect that he intends to equip his readers with a certain amount of discernment to make an actual judgment regarding what is true and false religion.
He makes it clear that we can not know who is actually in the kingdom, that the back-slidden person is defective in his/her judgment, and finally that the hypocrite is a fool destined for hell with those who refuse to accept God’s effectual call.
Here is my point: I am fairly certain that Edwards would be deeply disappointed if we came away from this text with only self reflection.
Certainly as Bill H points out, self reflection is certainly a valuable exercise in reading this text.
But at the end of the day, Edwards wants us out in the front lines using this information to help keep others from being deceived. Our post-modern culture has no problem with us reading this book. “But”, says this culture, “keep it to yourself.” “You have no right to judge”, says our culture, “after all, there is no true religion”.
I wrote an e-mail recently to a math professor who was attacking Tim Challies on his concerns with the book, “The Shack”. At the end of the day, the math professor was telling me that it wasn’t up to me to judge.
This is our culture’s lie. We are to make judgments and we are to speak out.
So, dear brothers and sisters, once we complete this book, and certainly make judgments regarding our own souls, let us make certain that we muster up the courage to speak the truth in love and voice heavenly judgment as only the Holy Spirit and fervent prayer would direct.
There are false prophets and “wide path” Christians everywhere. Our keeping silent only leads to their eventual eternal destruction.
Bill H, again, I pray that you understand that this was not directed towards you. Again, I can’t begin to understand your motivations in just a few comments and frankly am not trying to.
It is just that your comment awakened this thought in me and I intend to be faithful, as much as I can, to voice thoughts to provoke us all to truly seek to find that true faith that Edwards desires of himself and all of us.
Christ was very direct, in dealing with hypocrites and the confused. I am not Christ, but I believe that we are to model Christ’s behavior. And His behavior was clear, direct, confrontational when need be, and ultimately deeply rooted in love.
I am greatly looking forward to further discussion of this coming section.
9. Laurie
August 15, 2008
12:16 PM
Edwards concisely states (in the penultimate paragraph of our reading) what good use these “rules” can be put to: “But yet the laying down good rules may be a means of preventing such hypocrites, and of convincing many other kinds of hypocrites: and God is able to convince even this kind, and his grace is not to be limited, nor means to be neglected. And besides, such rules may be of use to the true saints to detect false affection, which they may have mingled with true. And be a means of their religion’s becoming more pure, and like gold tried in the fire.”
This seems to be exactly what I’ve found to be true so far:
I see a lot of my former life as an hypocrite spelled out frighteningly accurately. It’s a warning to hypocrites and non-hypocrites alike that hypocrisy is alive and well in the church, and that we must warn against it.
I see, so far, several things that should not be allowed to deceive me, potential smoke-screens, in others, especially those who may claim some authority in the church. I must not allow such things in myself, or others, to cloud my vision when there is clearly sin that needs to be dealt with. I must, in such circumstances, not offer myself, or others assurance, when God has not designed that there be any.
And finally, I see means to root out areas of hypocrisy that no doubt still lurk in this heart of mine, which is still in the process of sanctification.
When Edwards says, “and God is able to convince even this kind…” speaking of the most heinous kind of hypocrite, I can testify to the truth of that. God did that for me by letting me sink into such darkness and sin that I could no longer fool even myself. I came to a place where I could no longer, with any confidence consider myself a Christian, and finally ceased to do so. I didn’t consider myself an apostate, I just knew that there was such a thing as a real Christian, (though I’d only met a handful that I knew fell into that category), and that I wasn’t one of them, and really didn’t know why. I’d assented to all the right facts, prayed the “Sinner’s Prayer”, and for this was told I was certainly a Christian. But I was not changed. I had no faith in the things I “believed”. It was some months after I came to that realization that circumstances conspired to teach me that I really needed a Savior - and of course, by that time, I knew where to find Him.
10. Jeri
August 15, 2008
1:41 PM
Wonderful discussion, all. And it does feel good to finally be caught up. (Must make daily reading more of a priority!) :)
I asterisked the same point you mentioned as appreciating, Tim; that it’s our actions toward mortifying sin and increasing in faith that give us assurance, not looking within. How huge. And this footnote at the bottom of page 123: “The more the visible exercises of grace are renewed, the more certain you will be. The more frequently these actions are renewed, the more abiding and confirmed your assurance will be.”
Why has God designed this to be true? I don’t know, but I know that it is; the Scripture and my own experience (both my faithfulness and unfaithfulness in it) confirm it to be so.
How wonderful His ways are.
11. Laurie
August 15, 2008
4:30 PM
I, too, have an asterisk next to the statement, “‘Tis not God’s design that men should obtain assurance in any other way, than by mortifying corruption, and increasing in grace, and obtaining the lively exercises of it.”
It brings to mind Romans 8:12-14, “So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh - for if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”
Those who are true sons of God are, by the Spirit, being led to mortify the deeds of the flesh. That leading of the Spirit toward ever increasing holiness is a defining work of the spirit of sonship. As we become more like the Father who’s given us our new birth by the Spirit, our sonship becomes increasingly evident, to ourselves and others. Over the years, by the way, I’ve heard a lot of talk about being “led by the Spirit”. It’s amazing how seldom, however, this talk had to do with the mortification of sin as the object of this leading.
12. Thomas Sullivan
August 15, 2008
8:34 PM
David wrote: I guess I feel compelled to voice a caution to the group as we continue. Nowhere has Edwards declared this treatise as one for the purpose of self reflection.
Hello David, - am I possibly misunderstanding you? There is no other practical use of this treatise, because Edwards already has stated at least on a couple of occasions that the marks laid down are not for us to judge others, so if we don’t use this treatise to examine if we have the genuine foundation, it has served no purpose.
Edwards own words are, “I am far from undertaking to give such signs of gracious affections, as shall be sufficient to enable any certainly to distinguish true affections from
false in others; or to determine positively which of their neighbors are true professors, and which are hypocrites. In so doing, I should be guilty of that arrogance which I have been condemning. It is plain that Christ has given
rules to all Christians, to enable them to judge of those professors of religion, with whom they are concerned, so far as is necessary for their own safety, and to prevent their being led into a snare by false teachers, and false pretenders to religion.”
But (2) the marks laid down are only those that can be used FOR self-examination such as true religious affections have beautiful symmetry and proportion.
{Another thing wherein those affections that are truly gracious and holy,
differ from those that are false, is beautiful symmetry and proportion}
You wrote, “Edwards wants us out in the front lines using this information to help keep others from being deceived.”
But how can this be done unless we assist them with the marks Edwards has laid down which they must read and apply themselves. So they also would be engaging in “self reflection.”
If one reads numerous sermons of Edwards, his laying down the marks of conversion is a very prominent theme.
In the sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God are the frightening words, “They hear indeed that there are but few saved, and that the greater part of men that have died
heretofore are gone to hell; but each one imagines that he lays out matters better for his own escape than others have done. He does not intend to come to that place of torment; he says within himself, that he intends to
take effectual care, and to order matters so for himself as not to fail.”
Edwards believed this doctrine as few others and many of his sermons served to undeceived those who “miserably delude themselves in their own schemes.”
Here is a sample of a couple that I have narrated,
Hypocrites Deficient in the Duty of Prayer.
True Grace Distinguished from the Experience of Devils.
13. David Porter
August 16, 2008
10:19 AM
Thomas,
Thank you for your sensitive and courageous comments. It seems to me that perhaps my writing skills and my quick use of the send button may be to blame for some of the confusion.
1.) The point I was trying to make is that this text is not to be used solely for self reflection. Certainly it begins at self reflection but then we must have the courage, as you have shown here, to speak up. Christ’s words and Edwards reflection of His words require action. As we just learned in the last reading, run the good race.
2.) Your quote from Edwards exactly states what I was trying to say a.) we are not to judge whether someone is, or isn’t in the kingdom of God. That is not our role. b.) on the other hand, we are to judge professors of religion to prevent those from falling into snares and the traps of false religion.
Your pointing to “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” again supports my exhortation. Edwards understands that it is not his job to make the call effectual. That is God’s role. Furthermore, once again, he is saying that he is not to attempt to figure out who is indeed truly in the Kingdom of God.
My point is give the sermon. Edwards gave the sermon. Edwards had the courage to speak the truth in love. This sermon, especially in our culture, is controversial and courageously smacks people in the head with a holy 2x4.
Therefore, what I was attempting to say is: Don’t keep Jesus Christ and these things a secret.
1.)Boldly proclaim the message of salvation and boldly confront those false teachers who would seek to ensnare.
2.) Don’t judge who is, and who isn’t in the kingdom of God. We are not equipped to do so, and God has told us not to.
Read, understand, reflect, then go. Don’t stop at self-reflection.
I hope I did a better job of communicating this go around.
14. Nahomi Dhinakar
August 17, 2008
6:59 PM
Most of this week went into preparing for a trip to see snow for the first time. The weekend went into seeing snow for the first time. So my post, though usually late, comes later than usual.
http://couragetotremble.wordpress.com/2008/08/17/the-religious-affections-part-iii-1/