Godliness is more easily feigned in words than in actions
Jonathan EdwardsRead
All truth is given by revelation, either general or special, and it must be received by reason. Reason is the God-given means for discovering the truth that God discloses, whether in his world or his Word. While God wants to reach the heart with truth, he does not bypass the mind.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Truth is revealed through understanding and reasoning, and both the heart and mind play essential roles in grasping it.
In this quote, Jonathan Edwards emphasizes the importance of reason as a tool for understanding truth that is revealed by God. He argues that, while divine truth speaks to the heart, it does not neglect the intellect; both must work together for a complete comprehension of truth. This perspective shapes how one engages with spirituality and knowledge, advocating for a balanced approach between faith and reason.
Themes
TruthRevelationReasonGodMindHeartUnderstanding
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon about the role of faith and intellect in spirituality.
More from Jonathan Edwards
All quotes →Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
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So that it must be only by the imagination that Satan has access to the soul, to tempt and delude it, or suggest anything to it. And this seems to be the reason why persons that are under the disease of melancholy are commonly so visibly and remarkably subject to the suggestions and temptations of Satan... Innumerable are the ways by which the mind may be led on to all kind of evil thoughts, by the exciting of external ideas in the imagination.
Jonathan EdwardsRead
The deceitfulness of the heart of man appears in no one thing so much as this of spiritual pride and self-righteousness. The subtlety of Satan appears in its height, in his managing persons with respect to this sin. And perhaps one reason may be that here he has most experience; he knows the way of its coming in; he is acquainted with the secret springs of it: it was his own sin. Experience gives vast advantage in leading souls, either in good or evil.
Jonathan EdwardsRead
Grace is but glory begun, and glory is but grace perfected.
Jonathan EdwardsRead
True virtue never appears so lovely as when it is most oppressed; and the divine excellency of real Christianity is never exhibited with such advantage as when under the greatest trials; then it is that true faith appears much more precious than gold, and upon this account is "found to praise and honour and glory.
Jonathan EdwardsRead
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