originally published 12/1/2003
Historian George Marsden, author of Jonathan Edwards: A Life, describes Jonathan Edwards’s ((1703–1758) keen interest in the spiritual and theological significance of world events. For Edwards, the Reformation was a key event in history through which he interpreted other events and biblical prophecies. He believed that his era in history involved a setting of the stage for a world-wide revival that would eventually usher in a millennial age of the rule of Christ. Marsden explains how Edwards saw God at work in history through nations and major revival movements and believed he was living on the cusp of an imminent global awakening. Though he died before the American Revolution, Edwards would likely have supported it, though with misgivings about the increasing prominence of politics over theological concerns in society.
This interview was originally published on Volume 65 of the Journal.
14 minutes
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