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Jonathan Edwards Resolutions: and Advice to Young Converts

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While completing his preparation for the ministry, Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758) wrote seventy resolutions that guided him throughout his life. About twenty years later, he wrote a letter to young Deborah Hatheway, a new convert in a nearby town, advising her concerning the Christian life. These two writings, often reprinted during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, overflow with straightforward and biblically sound advice. This advice is as current today as it was in the 1700s, and it far surpasses the how-to books now overrunning bookstores.

40 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2001

About the author

Jonathan Edwards

1,289 books481 followers
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database named Jonathan Edwards.

Jonathan Edwards was the most eminent American philosopher-theologian of his time, and a key figure in what has come to be called the First Great Awakening of the 1730s and 1740s.

The only son in a family of eleven children, he entered Yale in September, 1716 when he was not yet thirteen and graduated four years later (1720) as valedictorian. He received his Masters three years later. As a youth, Edwards was unable to accept the Calvinist sovereignty of God. However, in 1721 he came to what he called a "delightful conviction" though meditation on 1 Timothy 1:17. From that point on, Edwards delighted in the sovereignty of God. Edwards later recognized this as his conversion to Christ.

In 1727 he was ordained minister at Northampton and assistant to his maternal grandfather, Solomon Stoddard. He was a student minister, not a visiting pastor, his rule being thirteen hours of study a day. In the same year, he married Sarah Pierpont, then age seventeen, daughter of Yale founder James Pierpont (1659–1714). In total, Jonathan and Sarah had eleven children.

Stoddard died on February 11th, 1729, leaving to his grandson the difficult task of the sole ministerial charge of one of the largest and wealthiest congregations in the colony. Throughout his time in Northampton his preaching brought remarkable religious revivals.

Yet, tensions flamed as Edwards would not continue his grandfather's practice of open communion. Stoddard believed that communion was a "converting ordinance." Surrounding congregations had been convinced of this, and as Edwards became more convinced that this was harmful, his public disagreement with the idea caused his dismissal in 1750.

Edwards then moved to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, then a frontier settlement, where he ministered to a small congregation and served as missionary to the Housatonic Indians. There, having more time for study and writing, he completed his celebrated work, The Freedom of the Will (1754).

Edwards was elected president of the College of New Jersey (later Princeton University) in early 1758. He was a popular choice, for he had been a friend of the College since its inception. He died of fever at the age of fifty-four following experimental inoculation for smallpox and was buried in the President's Lot in the Princeton cemetery beside his son-in-law, Aaron Burr.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
5 reviews1 follower
July 1, 2023
This book(let) is amazing, I can’t believe I’ve never heard of it prior to a week ago. It’s extremely brief, everyone should read it. The back description sums it up: “This advice is as current today as it was in the 1700s, and it far surpasses the ‘how to’ books now overrunning bookstores.” YES INDEED.


“7. Resolved, never to do anything that I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.

57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether I have done my duty, and resolve to do it; and let it be just as Providence orders it. I will, as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin.”
Profile Image for Zack.
332 reviews58 followers
December 12, 2020
Neat, readable layout. Very light editing, and an excellent introduction by Stephen Nichols.
Profile Image for Julia.
227 reviews20 followers
November 16, 2009
This only refers to the "Advice to Young Converts" letter written to a young Christian woman requesting pastoral advice:

This has been my first formal exposure to Jonathan Edwards writing and it was great. The letter is loaded with excellent advice for Christian life - whether young convert or old, clarified into nineteen separate points, twelve of which I underlined or otherwise noted for myself in the margins as I was reading.

Though written in the mid-1700s, the advice is timeless, and lessons I have come to appreciate such as: "When you hear sermons, hear them for yourself" (third point). The fifteenth point is the first clear and practical advice I have read about Christian fasting - when, why and how you might do it - with an important emphasis on it being done in secret with prayer.
Profile Image for Eric.
306 reviews16 followers
December 30, 2008
This takes an hour to read, which is convenient, because I have to read it again. We were taught about Jonathan Edwards as a fire and brimstone killjoy in high school...but he's not. He's brilliant, and his Resolutions are worthy of emulation. As pious a man as he was, he also has some real world perspective when it comes to understanding his own condition and his own fallen tendencies.

This pamphlet is an excellent resource. Though I haven't read much else of his to be able to say this with confidence, I suspect its a good starting point for future Edwards study.
Profile Image for Tyler Hochstetler.
101 reviews19 followers
December 13, 2016
A noble theologian and preacher, Edwards is resolute in his convictions. His teachings are profound. Absolutely loved his works that I read.
November 12, 2022
What a beautifully written letter of advice to young converts.

Within a short amount of pages, Edwards unfolds what means to be a Christian and how to live like one. How depraved we are, even after salvation and how totally dependent we are on God’s mercy and grace, through the sacrifice of Christ.

If you are currently backsliding, you have to read these resolutions and letter of advice from Jonathan Edwards. But if you are in a “good” spiritual season, read it as well!

It is so comforting to know that as the Body of Christ, we are not alone in our pilgrimage. That writers like Jonathan Edwards and so many others, took the time to write advices and thoughtful paragraphs of guidance to future generations.

But most importantly, it is comforting to know that all of us, including these wonderful theologians, MUST fix our eyes at the feet of the cross. Or like Jonathan Edwards would say:

“In all your course, walk with God and follow Christ as a little, poor, helpless, child, taking hold of Christ’s hand, keeping your eye on the mark of the wounds of his hands and side. From these wounds came the blood that cleanses you from sin and hides your nakedness under the skirt of the white shining robe of his righteousness.”

Profile Image for Anna.
16 reviews
September 11, 2022
I really enjoyed the practical approach Edwards takes towards Christian living in these two texts. Righteousness is a process: the Christian must examine himself or herself daily, discovering the root causes of sin in order to confess them before God. Edwards' own struggles with holiness are especially apparent in the Resolutions, as a number of resolutions repeat themselves over time. The reader understands that the process of sanctification will not be easy, but that it is one of the most important pursuits in life.
Profile Image for Joseph Abudar.
51 reviews
December 16, 2023
A look at the mind and heart of America's theologian: Jonathan Edwards in two stages of life.
1. Resolutions - as a young man, Edwards is counselling himself in the targets written to be the best Christian he can be.
2. Advice to Young Converts - as an older pastor, Edwards counsels a young lady with advice to help her be the best Christian she can be.
Profile Image for F.C. Shultz.
Author 11 books30 followers
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December 31, 2023
“7. Resolved, never to do anything that I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.”

“55. Resolved, to endeavor to my upmost to act as I can think I should do if I had already seen the happiness of heaven and the tournaments of hell.”

“56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with by corruptions, however, unsuccessful, I may be.”
Profile Image for Jordan Litts.
72 reviews
February 5, 2023
I believe that every Christian should take some time and ponder each of the resolutions of Jonathan Edwards. The booklet is encouraging and helpful to any who read it.
Profile Image for Kofi Opoku.
237 reviews18 followers
December 29, 2021
Second time reading Edwards’ Resolutions. First time I thought he was a bit too extreme in some areas. This time I found it thoroughly refreshing. Overall a very helpful book. Also, his Advice to Young Converts was solid.
Profile Image for Caris Smith.
32 reviews
June 12, 2023
I think of my previous resolutions compared to his and am humbled by this man’s maturity and theological understanding from a young age. I recommend this read. Many resolutions will likely be adopted by the reader as goals of their own for this side of the grave.
Profile Image for Johannes Ardiant.
15 reviews7 followers
April 23, 2012
How many times have me made resolutions in our life?
How many times perhaps we failed to work out our resolutions and kept making the same resolutions again the next year...?

Jonathan Edwards shared with us his resolutions that he kept in the early days of his ministry. From these resolutions, we could see the struggle that Edwards was facing in those early days of his ministry, his particular area of weaknesses, and more importantly, how he strife not only to live a good life, but the best life (point six, "Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live") for God.

His resolutions cover a number of areas in his life: his overall life mission, good works, time management, relationships, suffering, character, and spiritual life.
Profile Image for Aardvark.
27 reviews1 follower
March 6, 2024
absolute game-changer of a read. totally changed the trajectory of my christian life, and fueled my resolve to live for God's glory like no other book. edwards' own resolutions challenged me to consider how exactly i was living for God's glory.
it is easy to casually express how we want to live for God's glory, but are we genuine when we say this? if we are sincere in wanting to live for God's glory, then resolve to do so. stop tolerating sin. bridle your tongue. don't waste your time. don't think wandering thoughts of pride. stop complaining. live earnestly for God's glory.

advice to young converts was also an excellent read. so fire all around. highly recommend to everyone.
549 reviews20 followers
December 31, 2008
This is a very good (and short) book that gives a brief overview of the life of Jonathan Edward’s and then focuses on his “Resolutions” which he wrote as a young believer. It is encouraging to see how he was focused on living his life in such a way that when he grew old and looked back at his life he would not be filled with regret.
Profile Image for Sarah.
195 reviews14 followers
March 2, 2020
I came across these while researching the life of Jonathan Edwards and had heard that his seventy resolutions were really helpful. It's true. While I wasn't blown away by all seventy resolutions, many of them are convicting and motivational.

Resolution 7,"Resolved, never to do anything which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life."
5 reviews1 follower
April 1, 2010
Currently re-reading. What a gem of a book! Timeless!
2 reviews
January 8, 2012
I love to read and reread this little booklet to myself and my kids. He inspires me to pursue holiness. Amazing man.
Profile Image for Amy Lee.
12 reviews8 followers
December 24, 2019
“Remember to read over these resolutions once a week.”
Profile Image for Perry Eury.
13 reviews
February 5, 2021
As a believer, painfully aware of my imperfections, I find encouragement from an early American minister who tackled the hard work of rooting out his own deficiencies of thought, word and deed.

Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) entered Yale at the age of 13, and earned his M.A. before reaching the age of 20. He went on to preach in churches in Massachusetts, and played a major role in numerous revivals and the Great Awakening of 1740-42. His preaching and writing earned him the reputation of America’s foremost pastor, theologian and intellectual.

Early in his career, Edwards formulated a set of guidelines for personal behavior. It was a way to hold himself accountable and to build his capacity for self-control. In a modern world, where “virtue” is too often signaled by demeaning others and mouthing trite cliches, Jonathan Edwards’ “Resolutions” offers a refreshing contrast.

No part of his life was too small to avoid scrutiny. The seventy resolutions are simple and concise. Here’s one example:

“Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back till I come to the original cause; and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.”

Earlier in my life, I might have scoffed at Edwards’ method of self-appraisal and improvement. But I have come to appreciate the role of personal inventory in the development of virtue. And I have learned that self-control is not some neurotic straightjacket. “If it feels good, do it” and “follow your bliss” are not such brilliant prescriptions for freedom, after all.

This edition of Edwards’ work also includes “Advice to Young Converts” which was written much later in his career. “Advice” was a personal letter to a member of his congregation. And as with “Resolutions” it was not written with publication in mind.

There is something very appealing about the directness and simplicity of these two works by Edwards. Spiritual classics from hundreds of years ago are often as fresh and as compelling as anything published today. Personal fellowship, of a sort, is something I have experienced not just with Edwards, but with Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471) and Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), to name a few. Their transparency and their sincerity make for great reading in any century.
Profile Image for Danielle Ma.
176 reviews14 followers
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November 17, 2021
To be a man of such caliber yet be so filled with humility! The earnestness of this man's resolutions that in everything–everything!– he do be for the glory of God, is nothing short of impressive. Yet insofar how impressive Edwards is, I realise that this is the call for all Christians to be. What a paradox the Christian life is! So simple yet so hard.
Each line of this short text convicts me. My soul wanes and my flesh is weak. I am ashamed, having been exposed to the frivolity of my Christianity. But in my shame, I once again taste the sweetness of his grace. Truly his mercies are new every morning!

anyways in other notes:
-read a pdf edition I came found after being intrigued by the title and the shortness of the text
-feel like some of these resolutions would be great printed as those inspirational poster type quotes LOL– might be a bit too puritanical for the market but they are really inspirational
-also i can totally tell where all those puritanical stereotypes come from eg) #30 resolved to not speak of any ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the sabbath :,)
Profile Image for Matt Friedman.
13 reviews2 followers
April 28, 2023
Quote from the Advice to Young Converts chapter.

“Don’t leave off seeking, striving, and praying for the very same things that we exhort unconverted persons to strive for, and a degree of which you have had already in conversion. Thus pray that your eyes may be opened, that you may receive your sight, that you may know yourself and be brought to God’s foot, and that you may see the glory of God in Christ and may be raised from the dead, and have the love of shed abroad in your heart. For those who have most of these things, still have needs to pray for them. For there is so much blindness, and hardness, and pride, and death remaining, that they still need to have that work of God wrought upon them further to enlighten and enliven them. It shall be a bringing out of darkness into God’s marvelous light, and a kind of new conversion and resurrection from the dead.”
Profile Image for Nick Kantas.
22 reviews1 follower
July 6, 2020
Dr. Nichols has provided us with two of Jonathan Edwards’ most important works (that is, by my estimation—I don’t know much else from Edwards!), along with a valuable introduction to his life and works. Edwards was not only one of the greatest theologians of the eighteenth century, but remains to us a towering thinker by any standard.

Resolutions cover a wide variety of subjects specifically, and the whole of life in some sweeping resolutions. We would do well to heed them and perhaps use them as guideposts in our own life.

Advice to young converts certainly has an original context, but has applications in all contexts, even today. Edwards offers insight to the mystery of assurance and ongoing repentance, holiness, and practical advice for the Body of believers.
Profile Image for Walker Thomas.
30 reviews1 follower
January 15, 2022
No one had a greater understanding of diligence and hard work than Edwards. This mixed with the greatest concern for holiness is what created one of the preeminent Christian minds in history. I believe he exemplifies, for at least the first half of the 18th century and perhaps all of it, what he lays out in his 63rd resolution:

“On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world at any one time who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true lustre, and appearing excellent and lovely from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would if I strove with all my might to be that one who should live in my time.”

Worthwhile read. Edwards is a dawg.
Profile Image for Ronnie.
5 reviews
February 24, 2024
Brilliant.

1. Resolved: I will DO whatever I think will be most to God's glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, for as long as I live. I will do all these things without any consideration of the time they take.

8. Resolved: To act, in all respects, both in speaking and doing, as if nobody had ever been as sinful as I am.

19. Resolved: Never to do anything, which I would be afraid to do if I expected it would not be more than an hour before I would hear the last trump sound (i.e. when Jesus returns.)

27. Resolved: Never intentionally omit or neglect anything, except if such an omission would be for the glory of God. NOTE to Self: frequently examine enything I have omitted.
Profile Image for John Weis.
94 reviews9 followers
January 7, 2018
In his Resolutions, Edwards set forth his personal vision of aspects of Godly living, each specific entry having been directed for the glory of God. Likewise, in his letter now known as "Advice to Young Converts", he articulates those behaviors helpful for the saints in progressing in the Christian faith. Though the list and letter are able to be read in less than an hour, I do not doubt it will require re-reading frequently, as Edwards' himself designed his Resolutions to be read weekly.
3 reviews1 follower
January 5, 2019
Must read for all Christians

Concise and to the point. Startling and challenging ideas for Christians to consider on a daily basis. Edwards emphasizes the fact that we are not our own but belong to Christ. As such, our daily conduct should be intensively scrutinized and brought under conformity to Christ's image.
Profile Image for Kyndra Lemke.
308 reviews
May 10, 2021
3. When you hear sermons, hear them for yourself...

8. Remember that pride is the worst viper that is in the heart, the greatest disturber of the soul’s peace and sweet communion with God...

I can see how this little booklet would be great for new converts and I’m rather sad that I’m just now coming across this. I think this is something to keep handy and read often.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews

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