Jonathan Edwards disclaims dependence on John Calvin and believing in everything just as he taught

March 2, 2008

Jonathan Edwards, in the author’s preface to Freedom of the Will, has this to say about Calvinism, John Calvin, and Calvin’s teaching. I found Edwards comment very insightful given how often individuals are labeled Calvinist.

. . . That the difference of the opinions of those, who in their general scheme of divinity agree with these two noted men, Calvin, and Arminius, is a thing there is often occasion to speak of, is what the practice of the latter, itself confesses; who are often, in their discourses and writings, taking notice of the supposed absurd and pernicious opinions of the former sort…. Nevertheless, at first I had thoughts of carefully avoiding the use of the appellation “Arminian” in this treatise. But I soon found I should be put to great difficulty by it; and that my discourse would be so encumbered with an often repeated circumlocution, instead of a name, which would express the thing intended, as well and better, that I altered my purpose. And therefore I must ask the excuse of such as are apt to be offended with things of this nature, that I have so freely used the term “Arminian” in the following discourse. I profess it to be without any design, to stigmatize persons of any sort with a name of reproach, or at all to make them appear more odious. If when I had occasion to speak of those divines who are commonly called by this name, I had, instead of styling them Arminians, called them “these men,” as Dr. Whitby does Calvinistic divines; it probably would not have been taken any better, or thought to show a better temper, or more good manners. I have done as I would be done by, in this matter. However the term “Calvinist” is in these days, among most, a term of greater reproach than the term “Arminian”; yet I should not take it at all amiss, to be called a Calvinist, for distinction’s sake: though I utterly disclaim a dependence on Calvin, or believing the doctrines which I hold, because he believed and taught them; and cannot justly be charged with believing in everything just as he taught. . . .

If you have never read Jonathan Edwards’ Freedom of the Will you should. I have just recently read it and all I can say is WOW. I am reading it again and will surely read it again after that. Freedom of the Will is not the easiest of Edwards to understand, but a most necessary read nonetheless.

R. C. Sproul, on Freedom of the Will says:

“This is the most important theological work ever published in America.”

I read Freedom of the Will in A Jonathan Edwards Reader. In this volume, the editors have given us an authoritative anthology including selected treatises, sermons, and autobiographical material by Jonathan Edwards. Jonathan Edwards is considered by many to be America’s greatest theologian and philosopher of all time.

Among the many pieces in this Edwards anthology you will find:

• A Faithfull Narrative of the Surprising Work of God
• Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God
• A Divine and Supernatural Light
• Religious Affections
• An Humble Inquiry
• Freedom of the Will
• Original Sin
• Various Personal Writings like A Personal Narrative and Resolutions
• Various Letters

A Jonathan Edwards Reader is affordable and will not disappoint.

Posted in Arminian, Calvinism, John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards