Football Season is Coming...

And that is why it is so important that we remember the eternal importance of our "affections."

Sam Storms, in Signs of the Spirit; An Interpretation of Jonathan Edwards' 'Religious Affections' proclaims,

"...how common it is among men 'that their affections are much more exercised and engaged in other matters, that in [Christ]! In things which concern men's worldly interest, their outward delights, their honor and reputation, and their natural relations, they have their desires eager, their appetites vehement, their love warm and affectionate, their zeal ardent; in these things their hearts are tender and sensible, easily moved, deeply impressed, much concerned, very sensibly affected, and greatly engaged; much depressed with grief at worldly losses, and highly raised with joy at worldly successes and prosperity.

But how insensible and unmoved are most men, about the great things of another world! How dull are their affections! How heavy and hard their hearts in these matters! Here their love is cold, their desires languid, their zeal low, and their gratitude small."

May the Spirit move, may we repent, may God forgive, and may we 'hunger and first for righteousness that we might be filled'! And may we have infinitely more zeal for Jesus than we do for football...

Edible Edwards

I'm not an expert, but certainly one of the greatest theologians, philosophers, and God-lovers in the history of the church is Jonathan Edwards. However, if you've read him, you may agree with me that an additional brain would be helpful in digesting his genius.

Though the reading of his works is more than worth the effort and something I wouldn't want to discourage, there are some helpful works from thinkers greater than I who present Edwards in a more digestible and therefore perhaps enjoyable way:

1. God's Passion for His Glory, by John Piper
2. Signs of the Spirit: An Interpretation of Jonathan Edwards's "Religious Affections", by Sam Storms
3. A God Entranced Vision of All Things; The Legacy of Jonathan Edwards, Piper, Taylor, eds.

Enjoy! - I dare you!