Jonathan Edwards’ spiritualis. Towards a reconstruction of his theology of spirituality

SUMMARY

M.J. McClymond and G.R. McDermott made Edwards’ spirituality a special theme in their recent The Theology of Jonathan Edwards (2012). This first investigation of Edwards’ spirituality is a fertile ground from which more research into Edwards’ spirituality may be conducted. In the present article, Edwards’ theology of spirituality is considered and is mapped out in four theological categories which serve as a provisional framework for the understanding of Edwards’ spirituality. First, Edwards’ spirituality is to be understood in the framework of spiritual union with Christ as the basis for all the blessings in the life of a Christian. Second, spiritual union with Christ is the construct through which we may speak of a certain participation in God in Edwards’ spirituality. Third, Edwards’ spirituality appears to be pneumatocentric. Finally, it is due to the theocentric and pneumatocentric structure of his theology that Edwards is able to develop the anthropocentric aspects of spirituality.