Not only was his preaching largely responsible for the first Great Awakening, but his writing provided its theological basis. The contributions he made to religion in America are therefore incalculable. To this day, many consider him the foremost theologian and philosopher that America has produced in its short history.
Jonathan Edwards was born into a large Puritan family in 1703. As a child, he studied the Bible as well as the classics and ancient languages. At the tender age of 13, he began his studies at Yale where he remained for his undergraduate and graduate work. By the time he graduated in 1722, he was already one of the leading philosophers in the country. He wrote extensively about natural philosophy and metaphysics, challenging the writings of such eminent European philosophers as Descartes and Hobbes. For the rest of his life, he continued to write about philosophy and theology.
At just 23 years of age, Edwards became the pastor of Northampton, Massachusetts. This was the second most influential church in the Massachusetts colony. Obviously, it was a great honor to be placed in charge of such an important congregation. The fact that he was the grandson of the previous pastor, Solomon Stoddard, probably helped him get the job, but it certainly was not the only reason he got it. His academic distinction and brilliant writings were the most important factors.
The Great Awakening began in Edwards' congregation between 1734 and 1735. Under his preaching, the residents of Northampton began to repent and experience "New Birth" conversions. With such memorable sermons as "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," Edwards literally put the fear of God into his congregation. He did this not with loud, emotional calls for repentance or emotional, but with the brilliance of his vivid recitation. Before long, every aspect of Northampton had changed. Saloons closed down for lack of business, stores closed for prayer meetings, and thousands converted.
The movement spread was spread to other cities by different preachers, but was not taken around the world until Edwards published an account of what had happened in his church in his 1738 book "A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God." Using this book as a guide, preachers throughout the American colonies and Britain were able to further fan the flames of revival. In time, emotional, enthusiastic preachers like George Whitefield were able to take the Great Awakening to further millions. By the time the Great Awakening had started to wane in the 1750s, virtually everyone in America and Britain had been affected by it in some way.
After Edwards was forced out of Northampton in 1750, he took a job as the pastor of a small missionary church in Stockbridge. There he continued writing and ministering until 1757 when he became the President of Princeton University. He died the following year. His legacy lived after him, however. Millions had been affected by the movement that had begun with his preaching and to this day, his writing continues to influence pastors and even philosophers in America and around the world. That makes him one of the most influential theologians of the modern period.
