Jonathan Edwards

By: George M. Marsden

Narrated by: Jim Denison

Length: 24 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Jonathan Edwards is a towering figure in American history. A controversial theologian and the author of the famous sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, he ignited the momentous Great Awakening of the 18th century.

In this definitive and long-awaited biography, Jonathan Edwards emerges as both a great American and a brilliant Christian. George Marsden evokes the world of colonial New England in which Edwards was reared - a frontier civilization at the center of a conflict between Native Americans, French Catholics, and English Protestants. Drawing on newly available sources, Marsden demonstrates how these cultural and religious battles shaped Edwards' life and thought. Marsden reveals Edwards as a complex thinker and human being who struggled to reconcile his Puritan heritage with the secular, modern world emerging out of the Enlightenment. In this, Edwards' life anticipated the deep contradictions of our American culture.

Meticulously researched and beautifully composed, this biography offers a compelling portrait of an eminent American.

©2018 George M. Marsden (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What a gift

This was the first biography that I have read/listened to and it was captivating. I had long stayed away from biographies for fear of boredom but picked up this one at the recommendation of The Gospel Coalition and a desire broaden my reading intake. What a gift that it was. Marsden does a masterful job painting a picture of Edwards as a brilliant man after God’s own heart. His description of the ups and downs of Edward’s life gave me a deeper understanding and appreciation of one who’s theology has shaped my own and so many today that I respect so much. I often came away from listening to a chapter feeling as though I was being discipled by Edwards himself. It is long but it is worth it. Though excited for other books, I am honestly sad that I finished it. I highly recommend it.

" Inspiring book and we'll narrated!"

The most compelling book I have listened. Highly recommend listening, will make you want to seek Jesus more and more.

A Historical and Theological Masterpiece

Marsden displays his ability as a master historian to illuminate the life of Jonathan Edwards in a largely objective manner - noting his wonderful brilliance as well as his pitfalls - in such a way that doesn’t merely regurgitate historical facts but takes you by the hand through 18th century to see Edwards in his proper context. Moreover, Marsden recounts and details the life of Edwards in such a way that allows the reader/listener to be discipled by the life of Edwards rather than merely being acquainted with his theology and biographical details. A must read for any Christian and an intriguing, enlightening read for any non-Christian into the life of one of America’s most impactful thinkers.

Great Book. Narrator, Not So Much.

The book itself is wonderful. The narrator was not for me. I've listened to other performances of his and have enjoyed them. So maybe he wasn't feeling this book either. I would like someone like Grover Gardner gets a chance to do this over.

A friend of Edwards

Very well researched. Some detail I was not familiar with concerning his time at Stockbridge. I see Edward's as a Christian luminary in line with the likes of Augustine and Luther. His faith and life are inspiring and encouraging. The sense of kinship in Christ is real.

So fascinating

The life of Jonathan Edwards is fascinating. The battles he fought, the tensions he dealt with, and the life he will have so much to offer us today. Even an hour late to post modern culture.

Hats off to Marsden

Johnathan Edwards is a very complicated figure who is difficult to understand from a modern point of view. Three things are said of him: 1) He studied the Bible for 13 hours a day; 2) He and his wife Sarah had 11 children; 3) The Edwards had a happy marriage.

I suppose that most married couples would suspect that if you hole yourself in your study for 13 hours a day and leave your wife to attend 11 children, then the marriage could not have been happy. But, oh wait, they owned slaves. Then yes, if you put the household chores and child raising work on the backs of your slaves, then, yes, I can see how they might have been happy.

That Edwards was a proud man who spent an inordinate time looking at whether other people were "converted" - and tellingly, less time looking at himself and his walk with Jesus - will be difficult for most to understand.

Two final observations:

First, this audiobook is not for the faint of heart. At 25 hours, it is very long. Marsden asks that we not pass judgment on Edwards because he was a product of his times. So, for example, when Edwards reserves the best seats in his church for the social elite - as if Jesus plays favorites and has a caste system for believers - we are not to judge this or other aspects like Edwards's personal ownership of slaves. Nor are we to judge the contradictions, such as his being against the transatlantic slave trade but owning slaves himself - and this, despite the fact that Christians are a called-out people who do not live in conformity with the world.

Second, Edwards's Calvinistic views on theistic determinism - which is a biblical interpretation that the status quo justifies itself because God micromanages every aspect of the world - probably explains Edwards better than anything else. For if blacks are slaves, for example, then God has predestined this state of affairs and accordingly, it is His will that they should be such and we should not question the institution and the slaves themselves should submit to God's will.

The reason I give the audiobook 5 stars is because one cannot help but be impressed with how Marsden threw himself into the subject-matter and presented Edwards in the best light possible. The reader of the audiobook also did a fine job and his voice was well-suited for an 18th century biography.

A life, the complete man

Jonathan Edwards was a man of his time, and a most extraordinary one at that. George Marsden has written a complete account if his life, complete with Edwards’s successes, failures, ups, and downs. He’s made Edwards a fully human man with his humanness on full display. The tendency to see mortal men as heroes is all too easy, and to see them as more than mortals is wrong. There was only one immortal man in Jesus Christ. What a life and one well lived. Great narration!!!

Extremely thorough

Well written and informative. It is not for the reader who just wants "adventure". The author goes deep into the times and culture around Edwards and deep into his Theology thus giving a greater sense of this great servant of God. Enjoy.

A Fascinating Account of a Fascinating Life

Riveting and faithful telling of the life and times of Edwards. Marsden clearly knows and loves his subject and writes about him so very well. Goes to the top of the list of my favorite biographies.

Simply astounding.

The narrator was one of the best I've heard. Also, the book itself is a masterpiece. Highly recommend it.