deTheos

Jonathan Edwards made resolutions throughout his life, but it’s a list of 21 resolutions he made at the young age of 19 upon graduating from Yale that has expressely marked his deep and abiding godly character (and his influence for centuries, by God’s grace). Take for example his 28th: “Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly, and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.” Two of my favorites from this short list: #6, “Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live,” and #17, “Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.” Amen!

As spiritually minded as Edwards was — and his resolutions attest to that fact — there is much in them that is distinctively practical, such as strictness of diet (he had a weak stomach), the optimal management of time, and care of his soul, particularly in battling pride. Jonathan Edwards was a God-centered man who embodied the Gospel and theological thinking. He was not without his faults (for part of his adult life he employed slaves), yet he was transparent and authentic about his shortcomings in purity of heart and desperate pleas to God to help him become more holy and loving. His life and thought are to be emulated.

Edwards’ legacy lives on among God-centered theologians, both ‘experts’ and novices like myself who want to see the value of the Triune God’s infinite worth (glory) displayed and known in all the world.  For a primer on Edward’s vision and legacy, see the book A God Entranced Vision of All Things (read it online here or download as a PDF), read or listen to messages on the man at Desiring God, or read Edward’s Memoirs.

Back to his Resolutions … There are 70 resolutions in all, which Edwards regularly reviewed (at least weekly) and strictly kept to the end of his 54 years here on earth. We have much to learn from him and men and women of his character.

Here are the first 21 Resolutions (read all 70 here):

BEING SENSIBLE THAT I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITHOUT GOD’ S HELP, I DO HUMBLY ENTREAT HIM BY HIS GRACE TO ENABLE ME TO KEEP THESE RESOLUTIONS, SO FAR AS THEY ARE AGREEABLE TO HIS WILL, FOR CHRIST’S SAKE.

Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.

(Resolutions 1 through 21 written in one setting in New Haven in 1722)

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’ s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.
2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the aforementioned things.
3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.
4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; norbe, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.
5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.
8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God. July 30.
9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.
10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.
11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances do not hinder.
12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.
13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.
14. Resolved, never to do any thing out of revenge.
15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger towards irrational beings.
16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.
17. Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.
18. Resolved, to live so, at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.
19. Resolved, never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.
20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance, in eating and drinking.
21. Resolved, never to do any thing, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him.

• Read all 70 Resolutions here
• Read more about Edwards as the resolution maker

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008 at 1:08 pm and is filed under Blog, God-centered, Ministry, Theology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.