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This is a superb book and I only wish it had been published fifty years earlier than it was; I’m sure it would have helped me enormously. There are twenty-eight chapters, and these can be divided roughly into three sections, though the author himself does not do so. After an introductory chapter, the next six are about subject-matter, starting with God-Centredness. This is followed by The Preaching of Judgment, Sovereignty and responsibility, The concept of Seeking, Christ-Centredness and The Preaching of Heaven. After this come what might be called aspects of the sermon, beginning with Introductions and on through a subject like Imagery to The Use of Scripture. There are eight of these. The third section of eleven chapters is more about application, beginning with Different Categories of Hearers, concluding with Delivery. There are then two final chapters, both very important and enlightening, The Spirit of God, and Jonathan Edwards Today. A great deal of this is extremely practical and taking careful note of what the author brings to our attention, and applying it thoughtfully should make a great deal of difference to the way we preach. Few, very few, will not feel that Edwards has a great deal to teach us and that following what we have here will not improve our preaching considerably. There are other important aspects of Edwards’ ministry that are brought before us, for example, his recognition that Arminianism is essentially deistic, and his recognition of the periodicity of seasons of awakening. The last chapter has some criticisms of Edwards, particularly his failure as a pastor – too much time in the study, not enough in the homes of his people. There is much food for thought, for debate – and for reform. I would urge all ministers of the gospel, especially those in their early days, to read this volume.
