Tom Farr: Review of CHARITY AND ITS FRUITS by Jonathan Edwards, edited by Kyle Strobel

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Review of CHARITY AND ITS FRUITS by Jonathan Edwards, edited by Kyle Strobel

Photo Credit: Crossway Books

QWho the book is for: Christians, Anyone interested in the works of Jonathan Edwards
Rating: 5 out of 5

Jonathan Edwards has been called America’s greatest theologian. When I was in high school, I had to do an in depth research paper on Edwards and specifically his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” In the years since that paper when I didn’t know much about being a follower of Jesus or what Edwards was trying to say, I’ve come to appreciate theology and the thoughts of many of history’s greatest theologians. Edwards is undoubtedly one of the most quoted theologians, and he, of course, has many more theological and devotional works to his name than the sermon I had to do a research paper on.

Crossway Books has recently released Jonathan Edwards’ work CHARITY AND ITS FRUITS, edited by Edwards scholar Kyle Strobel. CHARITY AND ITS FRUITS is a collection of sermons that Edwards preached on 1 Corinthians 13 and the concept of Christian love. Every Christian would benefit by reading the works of some of the great theologians of the past, but because of their antiquity, the task can seem difficult. Strobel’s editing work does much to aid in this difficulty with CHARITY AND ITS FRUITS. Strobel introduces us to the work by giving us some background and a brief overview of Edwards’ theology that informs his sermons on Christian love. In addition, Strobel includes editorial remarks throughout the text that aid in understanding some of the difficult sections of the sermons.

Strobel warns about taking a journey through Edwards’ sermons very seriously. Edwards isn’t to be read simply because it adds to our well-read reputation. Edwards was committed to Christ and making him known, and his sermons radiate a profound admiration for the glory of God. I’ve never read a more thorough or insightful look into biblical love. Taking Edwards’ sermons seriously means to grow in our relationship with Christ and our love for others.

CHARITY AND ITS FRUITS should be read by any believer who wants to understand what Paul was trying to communicate in 1 Corinthians 13. Edwards clearly had a deep love for God and his glory, and reading his sermons should drive us deeper into the Bible for ourselves and inspire our own love for God’s glory.

I received this book for free for review from Crossway Books, and the opinions contained in this review are completely my own