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Chargement... Heaven: A World of Lovepar Jonathan Edwards
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New England pastor Jonathan Edwards encourages Christians struggling through the imperfections of life here on earth to experience the perfect love of God in communion with the Holy Spirit. Aucune description trouvée dans une bibliothèque |
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Google Books — Chargement... GenresClassification décimale de Melvil (CDD)248Religions Christian Devotional Literature and Practical Theology Christian Life; experience and practiceClassification de la Bibliothèque du CongrèsÉvaluationMoyenne:
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Edwards begins by stating that heaven is a fountain of love because God is love and the very essence of love. “His glorious presence fills heaven with love, as the sun placed in the midst of the heavens in a clear day fills the world with light” (35). Heaven will also be filled with good things, pleasant things, things that believers found delight in and contemplated often. “All the truly great and good, all the pure, holy, and excellent from this world, and it may be from every part of the universe, are constantly tending toward heaven” (44). In heaven, there will be conversation with the deceased, with the patriarchs, and with Christ himself. In heaven, everything will flow from uncorrupted motives. A purity of heart will be everywhere present. Nothing carnal or fleshy will exist.
Perhaps controversial to some, but not to Edwards is the idea of hierarchy in heaven. Though some will have greater capacities for heavenly bliss, none will be envious. There will be a spirit of true Christian love, even more so for those who are above others in glory. “Those that are highest in glory are those that are highest in holiness, and therefore are those that are most beloved by all the saints’ for they most love those that are most holy, and so they will all rejoice in their being most happy” (53). Those less in glory will be no less happy, because they will rejoice in others happiness. A perfect benevolent love governs all, with perfect goodwill and happiness at all times.
The saints in heaven will also know of God’s love for them in an ever increasing way. They will know that “God has loved them from all eternity and still loves them and will continue to love them forever” (58). Edwards closes the sermon with a brief warning to the unconverted and a few exhortations for the converted to strive for greater and greater holiness and to not let one’s heart go after the things of the world as its chief good. “If you would seek heaven, your affections must be taken off from the pleasures of the world” (109).
The language can be difficult to parse through on occasion, but it is well worth the read. ( )