JONATHAN EDWARDS: THEOLOGIAN OF THE HEART, by Harold P. Simonson. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. 174 pages. $6.50. Reviewed by Rev. Charles Greenfield, Emeritus, Kalamazoo, Michigan.
There are some emphases, rather contradictory, that apparently have always been a concern of the Church. John W. Montgomery in Christianity Today, once analyzed “Washington Christianity” as “superficial, non-doctrinal, and experientialistic.”
In this book Harold P. Simonson, professor of English at the University of Washington, Seattle, presents Jonathan Edwards as working pretty much within this tension. He sees Edwards as basically a theologian of the heart, and not as many scholars see him, one whose theology is essentially influenced by John Locke, and as one who although seemingly demanding rather rigid logic, presenting the Deity as an angry God before Whom sinner had better tremble, really reflecting the genius of Calvinism with the emphasis of the surrendered heart to God.
Whether Simonson has accurately reflected Edwards’ life (conversion experiences and spiritual development), his works, and thought patterns. I am not enough of a student of Edwards to be able to discern. It appears from the documentations that he has done his homework well Itis not always easy to know where we are given the thought of Edwards or the conviction of the author himself. Likely both.
Completing his life during the half century prior to the birth of our nation, Edwards left his influence on much of the Christian thinking of the new nation. Edwards was a key figure in the Great Awakening of 1734–35, but also one of the most perceptive critics of the movement. While he strongly disassociated himself with the excesses and deceptiveness of experiences of the Awakening even calling some of the excesses “evangelistic hypocrisy,” he vigorously assailed many critics for their lukewarmness, claiming that there should be visible responses to the gospel.
Simonson has given us an excellent source book for a better understanding of Edwards’ place in the Awakening, his influence on American Calvinism, his losing battle with New England liberalism, his concern about the problem of the use of language as a vehicle of grace, his grasp of the “grand illusion” of natural man (his ontological independence), and his earnest anguish about influencing the souls and lives of his countrymen, challenging their smugness in the face of a righteous God.
THE GLORY WOODS, by Virginia Greer ; published by Christian Herald House, 40 Overlook Drive, Chappaqua, New York 10514. Publication date: April 30, 1976, hardbound, $5.95. Reviewed by Dena Korfker.
“The Glory Woods” is sub–titled “A Hymn of Healing.” It could also be called “A Hymn of Discovery.” For Mrs. Greer discovered many things in her “Glory Woods.”
Mrs. Greer spent most of her married life in the city, in Mobile, Alabama. She raised her family there and was very active in her church (Baptist). She was also a career–woman. She was a writer and a journalist. Her first book, Give Them Their Dignity dealt with teaching teens in church school. Five years of reporting as an editor for the Mobile Press Register won her three major awards, and her articles appeared in over thirty newspapers and magazines.
Coming to live in the deep woods of Alabama, twelve miles from the city, was indeed a discovery for Mrs. Greer. Her husband had always been an outdoor man, and with him as teacher, she is soon overwhelmed by the discovery of how God reveals Himself in His creation. She rejoices in all the small forest creatures who come to visit her, she finds herself making friends with and talking to them.
Suddenly her wonderful, new life is shattered by the appearance of cancer with its surgery and all its aftermath, and the possibility of death. In all the glory of her autumn woods she learns to face her problems, and she discovers the great joy of God’s bountiful grace in His superb handiwork and in the Christian love of family and friends. She considered God’s greatest miracle to be the fact of her complete acceptance of His way in her life.
Read it. You will enjoy it and be inspired.
YOU’VE GOT CHARISMA!, by Lloyd John Ogilvie. Published by Abingdon Press, Nashville, Tenn. 1975. 175 pages. Price, $6.95. Reviewed by Rev. Henry Petersen.
This book of eleven sermons by the pastor of Hollywood Presbyterian Church is presented to give the biblical meaning of charisma and to share the “conviction that charisma is available to all of us” (p. 9).
The author has a dynamic style that holds the reader‘s interest. We can imagine that his congregation listened with rapt attention to these messages. He no doubt stimulated many of his people to stir up the gifts of the Spirit they have.
Charisma is defined as “grace-gifted.” “A charismatic person recognizes that all of life is a gift lent to be spent for Christ” (p. 18). Charisma begins in the heart, presumably in the heart regenerated by the Holy Spirit. It must be used to develop the Christian life; indeed, itis the Christian life in action.
Rev. Ogilvie has some good things to tell us about prayer, hope, and spiritual power. He uses many illustrations, several from his own life ‘s experiences. His greatest chapter, in our opinion, is the one on the power of the resurrection, likely an Easter sermon. His chapter on the Holy Spirit and his power in us is for the most part Scripturally sound. He does believe that some Christians today have the gift of healing and of speaking in tongues (including himself) but he does not over-emphasize these gifts of the Spirit.
These sermons are topical, not strictly exegetical. The choice of Scripture for each one, however, is apt and in most cases more than just illustrative.
You will not agree with every statement of the author, but you will profit from reading this book.