Despite the fact that this is a distillation of Marsden's much larger biography - Jonathan Edwards: A Life - this book still delivers much insight, information, and illustration of the dynamic life that was Jonathan Edwards. In this short work Marsden captures the impact that this obscure pastor in an obscure new world was used by God to change the whole world. Like most historical figures, the extent of Jonathan Edwards' influence was not seen until after his death and Marsden does a great job of connecting the dots for the modern reader.
Three thoughts that have lingered since reading this book are:
1. Conflict: Most of Edward's defining moments came out of conflict. Conflict with his culture, conflict with his congregation, conflict with his soul. Edwards was a man of conviction - compromise - for better or for worse - was completely foreign to him.
2. Emotion: I had no idea how emotion driven the Great Awakening was. I wonder what the Strange Fire crew would have thought of it.
3. Benjamin Franklin: Marsden often brought attention to the fact that Benjamin Franklin and Jonathan Edwards where contemporaries. Although they never met as far as we know, their stories and journeys intersected in many places and Marsden masterfully weaves the reader through understanding the significance of these two lives.
I look forward in the future to reading more of and about this influential jar of clay.
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