Christian Nonfiction Review: Edwards on the Christian Life: Alive to the Beauty of God

When I first began reading Dane C. Ortlund's book on Jonathan Edwards and the Christian Life, I had two impressions. First, that the book might become difficult to follow, and, second, that the book might turn out to be a systematic theology of sorts that leaves the reader better off returning to Edwards' original works in full text. About half way through the book, however, a few things began to stand out to me, and, ultimately, I finished with a few more gems of knowledge in my pocket.

Ortlund addresses Edwards' teaching son love, joy, gentleness, Scripture, prayer, pilgrimage, obedience, Satan, the soul and Heaven. I most appreciated his attention to worship in solitude (giving credence to all us introverted Christians), as well as his points on the true Christian's love of obedience, the sinner's inability to not sin, and God's unlimited love for the redeemed in heaven.

Ortlund's final chapter includes a few criticisms of Edwards' theology and sermons, a refreshing change from books that mostly praise the people they describe.

*I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.