Part II - It could be true faith or not

Well, I just lost everything that I wrote on this section as well. MAN!

Okay, here I go again. This section was a struggle for me, but it is okay, because it is Jonathan Edwards, and some things are probably going to be a struggle.

This section explains evidences and outward expressions that neither prove nor disprove true faith. He begins with 1) strong affections/emotions and 2) physical responses (ie groaning, fainting, trembling, etc...).

Now, I have had to evaluate myself as we have read through this and come to terms with the fact that I have built up a prejudice against showing strong emotions in my faith. It began as an aversion to letting my faith be controlled by my emotions (which I think is good) since they are constantly changing, but God is always steadfast in His promises and character. However, Edwards has made a convincing case that the expression of strong emotions is not only good, but it is required:

"The scripture often requires us to exercise very high affections: thus in the first and great commandment of the law, there is an accumulation of expressions, as though words were wanting to express the degree in which we ought to love God: 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.'"

So may the Lord continue to teach us as we continue on to the next section.

Religious Affections: True or Not True?

I believe Edwards is setting out to determine what and if all religious affections have validity.

I must admit that I had a difficult time working through these two sections! So forgive me if my thoughts sound jumbled! (although this is the second time I am writing this because my computer messed up while ago! grrrrrr!!!)

A few things I came away with:

AS TRUE BELIEVERS WE SHOULD...

• Not be satisfied where we are but seek to increase in our affections! (If we do not increase in our affections it is evidence that our heart has grown cold toward God!!)
• Experience and express high degrees of joy!
• Experience and express high degrees of gratitude!
• Express a high degree of sorrow for our sin and the sin of the world in which we live!
• Seek spiritual things!!

Love this. "The saints and angels in heaven, that have religion in its highest perfection, are exceedingly affected with what they behold and contemplate of God's perfections and works ... Now the only reason why their affections are so much higher than the holy affections of saints on earth is, they see the things they are affected by more according to their truth, and have their affections more conformed to the nature of things. (favorite part) And therefore, if religious affections in men here below are but of the same nature and kind with theirs, the higher they are, and the nearer they are to theirs in degree,the better, because therein they will be so much the more conformed to truth, as theirs are." Is our affections not suppose to be that great, that we are becoming conformed more to the image of the Truth, the Christ? I think so!

Sidenote: Since beginning the reading of religious Affections I have began to see certain scriptures in a new light? For example 2 Corinthians 7:10-11 "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see that earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what seal, what punishment!" Telitha, have you came across any scriptures in your personal study that as made you think of religious affections?

Inferences Again

In Edwards inferences, I think he does a good job of portraying the balance we must have and understand concerning affections in true religion. We cannot be too extreme and make our religion all about our experiences and emotions for Christ, however, if we are entirely lacking strong emotions for Him that is not true religion either. "For although to true religion there must indeed be something else besides affection, yet true religion consists so much in the affections that there can be no true religion without them... As there is not true religion where there is nothing else but affection, so there is no true religion where there is no religious affection." He says it so well it is hard to restate it any better.

I have to say that the third inference made me step back and examine myself. Edwards concludes that since religion and affections are so closely related that we should be ashamed that we are no more moved or affected for God. He created us with affections for the purpose of using them to glorify Him, yet we often engage our affections in our worldly interests, reputation, relationships, and successes with ardent zeal, tender hearts, much concern, being "much depressed with grief at 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 they can sit and hear of the infinite height, and depth, and length, and breadth of the love of God in Christ Jesus...and yet be cold and heavy, insensible and regardless!"

I want to be affectionate for Christ and His kingdom above any interest I may have in this world.

Inferences

I wasn't exactly sure what an inference was so I looked that up! Inference: the act of passing from one proposition, statement, or judgment considered as true to another whose truth is believed to follow from that of the former

Having little affections equals having little religion... this concept keeps coming to the forefront of Edwards writings. This has came to mind often.... just thinking that what I spend my time doing and thinking on rules my affections. Instead of sitting on my behind watching movies I should be seeking to deepen my affections through study, prayer, and praise. These inferences ring true in my life... I do not want to be like a dog returning to his vomit as Edwards writes.

Since God has done this... "God disposed things in the affair of our redemption, and in His glorious dispensations, revealed to us in the gospel, as though every thing were purposely contrived in such a menner as to have the greatest possible tendency to reach our hearts in the most tender part, and move our affections most sensibly and strongly!" ... Then I should love my life with much affection!

Pray for me as I feel I have a long way to go!

VI - X

Edwards says of the apostle Paul:

"It appears by all his expressions of himself, that he was, in the course of his life, inflamed, actuated, and entirely swallowed up, by a most ardent love to his glorious Lord, esteeming all things as loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Him, and esteeming them but dung that he might win Him."

This has become a very important thought to me lately. Today I listened to John Piper speak about John Bunyan and the sufferings that he endured including the loss of his mother and sister, a blind child, the death of his first wife, and 12 years of imprisonment, yet his attitude seemed to be one of joy because even though he had lost all earthly things he had gained intimacy with Christ. As I was thinking about this I questioned the value I put on Christ compared to my earthly relationships. Could I lose all of them to suffer for Christ and count it all joy? That is a tough question, but one worth considering I think.

In addition to this statement about Paul's affection for Christ, Edwards quotes several passages in which Paul displays his affections for the church. And so I have come to the conclusion that affection for Christ is necessary in true religion, but so is affection for the body of Christ. And Christ himself displays both of these affections as Edwards points out "He was the greatest instance of ardency, vigour and strenth of love, to both God and man, that ever was."

Next, in evidence VIII he discusses the idea that in heaven there will be very strong affections, and as an example he says this, "The way to learn the true nature of anything is to go where that thing is to be found in its purity and perfection. If we would know the nautre of true gold we must view it, not in the ore, but when it is refined. If we would learn what true religion is, we must go where there is true religion, and nothing but true religion, and in its highest perfection, without any defect or mixture." In heaven there will be no false teachers or false religion. It is hard to grasp the whole, complete nature of these affections here in our corrupted flesh and corrupted world, but in heaven it is undefiled.

Finally, Edwards closes his last evidence with a statement about how true religion must produce affections. I love doctrine, and I am passionate about Jesus Christ, but if I have one and not the other do I really have true religion? I think that doctrine should produce passion and affections for Jesus Christ, or the doctrine is worthless. Likewise a passion for Christ that is not based on biblical doctrine is worthless. Great section!!!! What are you thoughts, Kara?

More Evidences VI-X

Though I think Edwards first 5 evidences are adequate, 6-10 also support the presupposition that true religion is evident in the affections.

Edwards gives biblical examples of David, Paul, and John as men whose affections were set on God and thus their true religion is made known. There is no doubt when I read the Psalms that David's affections were wholly for God. The same is true for Paul, any man who counts all things as rubbish truly grasp the greatness of God.

The greatest example of religious example came from that of Jesus Christ. What an example of affections for God. I had never thought of this until this moment. That Jesus' devotion to Hid father was so great that he was able to truly pray "not my will but thy will"

I pray that many times but fall short of the devotion that Jesus has to the Father! May my religious affections be ever increased as I seek to know the LOVE these great men of faith exhibited!

Many times I feel foreign, like a pilgrim on a journey! It is a refreshing reminder that as Christians our home is not here on this earth.

"All who are truly religious are not of this world; they are strangers here and belong to heaven; they are born from above, heaven is their native country, and the nature which they receive by this heavenly birth, is a heavenly nature, they receive an anointing from above; that principle of true religion which is in them is a communication of the religion of heaven; their grace is the dawn of glory; and God fits them for that world by conforming them to it."

In evidence #9 Edwards addresses the issue of Prayer and Worship. Many times we think prayer is our duty as a Christian but we are reminded that prayer is a means that God uses to affect our hearts! Prayer must be a priority if our heart is to be affected!

Back at SBU I was in a chapel and a speaker said "worship is our response to God" I disagreed at the time and have often thought of that phrase. It seems that Edwards would agree with that to some degree because he alludes that worship is a way for us to express our affections. So what is worship truly and is it a mere response??

While reading Edwards I continually think of this verse "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit." Matthew 12:33 Our affections for God should be such that we are known by them and they are evident in our lives! Lord help my affections to grow so that you are evident in my life!!

Telitha... What do you think he means when he talks about 'animal spirits' and also if you could give me your take on the issue of worship! Cannot wait hear your take on these evidences!

Telitha's Thoughts on I - V

I have read over this section several times, and each time I do, it becomes more sweet to me, so I am excited to put some of my thoughts down on paper, well sort of paper.

In nothing is vigour in the actings of our inclinations so requisite as in religion; and in nothing is luke-warmness so odious.

If ever there was an area of our lives that we should be strongly passionate about, it is our affection for Jesus Christ. This world is passing away, yet we are often vigourous in our pursuit of it and complacent in our pursuit of God, who is eternal. Which would bring me to the next part of this section that I really liked.

Edwards talked about the different affections that Scripture refers to: fear, hope, love, hatred, desiring/hungering/thirsting, joy, sorrow/mourning/brokenness, gratitude/thankfulness/praise, compassion/mercy, and zeal. He quoted several scriptures to support each affection, but the one that I most liked was how we are to desire or hunger and thirst after God. Psalm 84:1 and 2 "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God" and Psalm 63:1-2 "My soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee, in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary."

And then there is the wonderful promise He makes to us in Matt 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."

I want to desire and long after the Lord Jesus Christ, and praise God, He is always faithful to His promises.

He hates luke-warmness, and tells the Laodecians in Revelation that he wants to spit them out of His mouth. How odious it is in true religion.

Finally, Edwards talked about how religion takes hold of men's souls only as far as it affects them. When I was reflecting on this thought of Edwards' I thought about the truth that simple knowledge is not enough to bring salvation or prove true religion, but our hearts must also be affected by the truth that we know. "Nor was ever on induced to fly for refuge unto Christ, while his heart remained unaffected."

BRING ON THE NEXT SECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!

Evidence That True Religion Lies in the Affections I-V

"That religion which God requires, and will accept, does not consist in a weak, dull, and lifeless wishes, raising us but a little above a state of indifference... It is such a ferverant vigorous engagedness of the heart in religion that is the fruit of a real circumcision of the heart, or true regeneration, and that the promises of life."

If our heart is not bent toward God there is no way we can have affections for God. God calls us to a relationship that is passionate and wild. I was reminded of this as I read this section. If our heart is not inclined toward the Lord in any way then it is important we check the status of out heart.

Another aspect of true religion that stands out to me is that true religion has the power to overcome and defeat sin and bondage. I am not saying that we are not going to struggle and that we are never going to be defeated but I think the real issue is the status of where we are living, are we living in victory or defeat!

When Edwards says, "The author of human nature has not only given affections to men, but has made them very much the spring of men's actions" I think he is speaking accurately. We do what we want to do. I don't eat certain foods because I don't like them!!! The same is true of religion! If we desire Godliness we will seek it, if we desire worldliness we will be found in it!

A few of the evidences that Edwards lists: Fear, hope, love, hatred of sin, joy, godly sorrow and mourning, thankfulness, mercy, and zeal. (Which reminds me of the fruit of the spirit!)

The most profound concept that I grasped from this section was that the chief of the affections is love and it is the "fountain of all other affections." In recent days a man said that he was challenged by a lady who told someone that the way to have a relationship with Jesus Christ is to fall in love with Him. I was unsure of how I felt about that at the time. It has been brought back to my mind numerous times. After reading these evidences of true religion I am beginning to see that if I am truly falling in love with Jesus Christ then I am deepening my affections for Him and walking in a more pure manner!

What do you think?!?! I am anxious to here your assessment of the section!!

Judgement and Discernment

Well, I have something to say about the Preface first. I have been thinking recently of the importance of discernment. Discernment is often confused with judging, and most of the church is terrified of this, but as a believer we are called to be discerning.

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets ahve gone out into the world." 1 John 4:1

And Jonathan Edwards notes that it is by these false spirits with in the church that the devil has the greatest advantage. "It is by this means, principally, that he has prevailed against all revivings of religion that ever have been since ther first founding of the Christian church." So I look forward to reading through this book so that I may become more discerning.

Now, for our first section, I think that you said it well before Kara, and that Jonathan Edwards was right on when he spoke of how sufferings distinguish the "true religion from false." And just incase anyone stumbles onto this site I will say that Edwards defines two faculties that a person has: 1 Understanding and 2 Inclination/Will/Heart. So my laymen's term definition of affection would be the attraction or repulsion of a person's will/heart concerning something.

Do you have any thoughts on this Kara?

~ Trials Refine Faith ~

When following Christ we are as Christians we are called to count the cost! Knowing that suffering and trials are part of the Christian walk does not make those trials any easier. I found it interesting that Jonathan Edwards started his treatsie Religious Affections by focusing on trials and how they truly produce religious affections.

"the divine excellency of real Christianity is never exhibited with such advantage as when under the greatest trial"

He reminds us that it is by trials that our faith is truly purified and increased! If these things are not happening in out lives then we are not developing religious affections for God as a result of our trials.

Teltiha, what do you think (in laymans terms) is a good definition for affections. An abridged version I looked at called affections "deep emotions of the heart" is that adequate or is it missing something?

IHOP

Well sitting in IHOP we decided to set up our blog! May God give us the grace to seek his face while reading through and dicussing Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards!