Complicated faith is daunting. The things of religion are intimidating to most. How could these things be simple? Wouldn’t simple mean incomplete and powerless? Here is a quick episode with a few thoughts on simplicity and 4 areas of practice.

Show Notes

Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 88:

Q: What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption?

A: The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption are his ordinances, especially the word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation

“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:18-20

“41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” - Acts 2:41-42

There is power in the simple. The simple things are used to confound the wise. Rejoice for the liberty in the Christian religion!

Here are some ways to keep it all simple:

1. Family Worship

* Singing the Psalms

* Reading the Scriptures

* Prayer

2. Bible Study

* Read the Scriptures

* Discuss them

* Pray

3. Prayer Meeting

* Singing the Psalms

* Read a passage of Scripture

* Pray

4. Evangelism

* Door-to-door introductions

Links

Substack: juniusbrutus.substack.com

YouTube: youtube.com/@TraditionsfortheFuture

Facebook: facebook.com/traditionsforthefuture

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/junius-brutus/

Psalm Reading/Singing Guide: https://juniusbrutus.substack.com/p/psalm-readingsinging-guide

Westminster Confession of Faith Reading Guide: https://juniusbrutus.substack.com/p/westminster-confession-of-faith-reading

Jonathan Edwards is removed to Stockbridge. He becomes a missionary to the Indians. Edwards is voted to become the president of Princeton. Then he becomes ill with smallpox and dies.

Show Notes

- Removed to Stockbridge in January 1751- His relative, John Sergeant, had been a missionary there- 42 of the : Indians were communicants by the time of Sergeant’s death- The area was not safe - murders, kidnappings- Strife and disagreement amongst the families there- Long familial dispute between the Edwardses and the Williamses- In 1754, Edwards gets everything under control- The French and Indian War- Edwards preaches 4 times every Sunday- Catechism classes for the Indian children and the white children- Indians get along with the Edwards family- Jonathan Jr. at 9 years old goes away for a year to learn the language- After the death of Edwards there were many Indian believers in Stockbridge- Daughter Esther marries the young Presbyterian minister, Aaron Burr- Aaron Burr becomes one of the founder of Princeton College and is its second president- Burr dies, laboring for the college- Edwards is voted to become the next president; he refuses, then relents- Outbreak of smallpox- Edwards is innocculated and dies- Sarah and Esther die later

Resolution 17:

Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

Links

Substack: juniusbrutus.substack.com

YouTube: youtube.com/@TraditionsfortheFuture

Facebook: facebook.com/traditionsforthefuture

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/junius-brutus/

Jonathan Edwards defends and criticizes The Great Awakening. His congregation becomes outraged that he bars the Lord’s Supper. Edwards is removed as pastor of Northampton.

Show Notes

* The Great Awakening 1740-1742

* Emotional Excesses

* Old Lights

* New Lights

* The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God (1741)

* Spirit’s true work can be distinguished as:

* 1. Greater esteem for Christ

* 2. Operates against the interest of Satan’s kingdom (encouraging & establishing sin)

* 3. Greater regard for the truth and divinity of the Scriptures

* 4. Brings men to the light of truth

* 5. Excites love to God and men

* Some Thoughts Concerning the Present Revival (1742)

* 1. Shows is A Glorious Work of God

* 2. Obligations to Acknowledge

* 3. Promoters have been injuriously accused

* 4. Promoters need to be corrected (longest section)

* 5. How it ought to be promoted

* Religious Affections (1746)

1. Pendulum had swung back to understanding in response to The Great Awakening

2. Defends true religion against the idea that it is by understanding alone

3. Explains and exhorts the necessity of experience

* In December 1741 Samuel Hopkins begins staying in his home for a time

* Sarah Edwards helps him see the work of Christ in himself

* Jonathan was quiet and reserved with strangers

* Friends “found him easy of access, kind and condescending; and though not talkative, yet affable and free. Among such whose candor and friendship he has had experienced, he threw off the reserve, and was most open and free.”

* He was attentive with his daughters and sons

* He would take his daughters, individually, with him on horseback rides

* He and his sons would go out into nature to study and enjoy it

* Family would gather in the parlor after tea “cheerful and animated conversation”

* Sabbath Keeping

* Psalm Singing

* Communion Controversy

* Edwards stops the cheap admissions

* Outrage from congregation

* Edwards preaches to them 

* He is removed as pastor

* He becomes their interim pastor for 5 months

* Leaves to become a missionary to the Mohawk Indians in Stockbridge

Links

Brief Overview Biography

The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards by Steven J. Lawson

In-Depth Biography

Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography by Iain Murray

The Works of Jonathan Edwards

The Works of Jonathan Edwards published by Banner of TruthVideo Example of Edwards’ “Miscellanies”

YouTube video by Matthew Everhard

Jonathan Edwards’ 70 Resolutions

Jonathan Edwards is called to become the pastor at Northampton, he studies 13 hours a day, begins to become a worldwide name, and The Great Awakening begins.

Show Notes

* Edwards is called by his maternal grandfather, Solomon Stoddard

* Stoddard began his ministry with doubts over his own salvation

* Stoddard has a life-changing experience at The Lord’s Supper

* Later, he changes the requirements to become a communicant

* Jonathan gets married and his grandfather dies

* He labors for the Gospel for almost 6 years before the revival of 1734

* Edwards publishes A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God

* He preaches many sermons on the necessity of regeneration

* Studies for upwards of 13 hours a day with a pen in hand

* Would pin notes to his clothes as he rode horseback

* He had an interleaved Bible comprised of 900 blank pages

* In 1740, George Whitefield comes to the colonies and they begin a correspondence

* Prayer meetings preceded The Great Awakening and more sprung up because of it

* At Northampton, the younger generation would meet at Edwards’ house weekly for a study and prayer

* Edwards goes on a preaching tour and preaches Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

* Terror was not the object, but the long-suffering merciful God

* The Spirit of God rested on the preaching and teaching of the Word

Links

Here is the account of Nathan Cole mentioned in the episode. This is the most famous account from a layman of the preaching of George Whitefield.

Brief Overview Biography

The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards by Steven J. Lawson

In-Depth Biography

Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography by Iain Murray

The Works of Jonathan Edwards

The Works of Jonathan Edwards published by Banner of Truth

Video Example of Edwards’ “Miscellanies”

YouTube video by Matthew Everhard

Jonathan Edwards’ 70 Resolutions

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Podcasts.

In this episode we begin the journey through Jonathan Edwards’ life from birth to his call as pastor at Northampton. This man is a legend in the faith and my personal favorite to study. He was a warm, kind soul that loved Jesus Christ above everything else.

This theological giant was also a giant in practical Christian piety. He is a man needed for our times. If you want to be introduced to him, glean from him, or be inspired by him, then give this episode a listen.

The resources mentioned to in the episode are in the show notes below.

Enjoy!

Show Notes

Brief Overview Biography

The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards by Steven J. Lawson

In-Depth Biography

Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography by Iain Murray

Classic Biography

Jonathan Edwards: A Life by George Marsden

The Works of Jonathan Edwards

The Works of Jonathan Edwards published by Banner of TruthA wonderful two volume set that includes the original memoir by Sereno Edwards Dwight. In it are contained are a plethora of Jonathan Edwards’ notes on the Bible.

Video Example of Edwards’ “Miscellanies”

YouTube video by Matthew Everhard

Jonathan Edwards’ 70 Resolutions

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Podcasts.

Why study this New England Puritan? Wasn’t he a grim old grouch anyways?

Edwards was a gentle, sweet, and holy man that is needed for our times.

We should study him because he believed in the power of God in Christ, he had unrivaled holiness, and was sincere.

As I said in the episode:

Edwards was a man who had many rivals, but no master.

Links

These are things I referenced in the episode.

Here’s Jonathan Edwards’ 70 Resolutions

Here’s The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards by Steven J. Lawson

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Podcasts.

Originally written here

Excerpt from the episode:

Patience is a tethered thing. Patience is not ethereal, but concrete. It is bound to both diligence and prudence. Patience without diligence is like sitting under the clear blue sky waiting for it rain silver and gold. And patience without prudence is like walking into a desert expecting an oak to sprout and flourish. Diligence and prudence become one and bear forth patience.

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Originally written here: juniusbrutus.substack.com

Excerpt from the podcast episode:

Here is the problem when you have a combination of some without the other: the quality that is lacking is the quality that is lacking in the other two qualities. For example, if you have truth and beauty but not goodness, then the “truth” is not good and the “beauty” is not good. They depend on each other. Meaning, if you lack one quality, you lack them all.

Become a Defender of the Past and a Preserver of the Future!

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Podcasts.

Originally written here.

The observance of Sunday, the Lord’s Day or Sabbath, has been lost. We tend to do what we really want to do and not what the Lord desires. The Lord’s Day is just that: the Lord’s. It is for our rejoicing and being glad in Him (Psalm 118:24). This podcast is intended to argue that Christians are to still keep the Sabbath, to show how profaning it are sins of atheism, and that observing it is for the soul’s supreme delight in this life.

Become a Defender of the Past and a Preserver of the Future!

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Podcasts.

Originally written here:

This is an audio version of this publication. This is the fourth episode so far and the first one sent to your inboxes. Enjoy!

Prudence gathers knowledge as it sees the ignorance within itself. Prudence learns not in part, but in whole. For it may only see dimly now, but desires to see things as they are face to face. It makes no uninformed decision. It takes a step back to assess the situation, and to gather in everything that is happening. It learns what is lacking in its trade, which church to attend, the principles of personal finance, whom to marry. Prudence is a virtue of learning…

Become a Defender of the Past and a Preserver of the Future