Reading Religious Affections

Reading Religious Affections: A Study Guide to Jonathan Edwards’ Classic on the Nature of True Christianity

“Christian gentleness and meekness are compatible with Christian zeal and boldness. — From Reading Religious Affections

“If the holiness of God is that which makes God’s “natural attributes” beautiful, how does this relate to our own life and testimony concerning Christ before other believers and unbelievers? — From Reading Religious Affections

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Endorsements

With exacting rigor and care, Jonathan Edwards’ Treatise Concerning Religious Affections provides both a diagnosis of the Great Awakening and good medicine for what ails Christian piety. In this unique study guide, Craig Biehl here dispenses twenty manageable and carefully referenced doses drawn from the Treatise for the health of true religion in the church of the Great Physician.

R. Daniel Knox

Pastor, Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church

This is a very helpful study guide to one of the most important spiritual texts in all of history. If you read ‘Religious Affections’ with patience, care, and fervent prayer, using this simple textual aid, you will find yourself reflecting on the state of your heart, mind, and soul like never before in your life. I guarantee that you will never be the same.

Dr. Douglas A. Sweeney

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Have you ever put a book down and thought, ‘Wow, that’s deep. I wish I had a friend who could walk me through this book and explain it point by point’? Craig Biehl has done precisely that. Furthermore, he has done it for one of the most important books ever written: ‘Religious Affections’. No one since the apostles had more insight into authentic godliness than Jonathan Edwards. But his books can be difficult to read. Biehl’s study guide helps you to understand the historical situation of Edwards’ day. It walks you through Edwards’ teachings in easy-to-follow outlines mingled with choice quotes from Edwards. After each section he presents several questions for personal medication or small group discussion. I regularly assign ‘Religious Affections’ to my students and will heartily recommend Biehl’s book as a companion to all who would read, understand, and apply Edwards’ masterpiece.

Dr. Joel R. Beeke

President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

More Quotes from God the Reason

"If the holiness of God is that which makes God’s “natural attributes” beautiful, how does this relate to our own life and testimony concerning Christ before other believers and unbelievers? (83) —From Reading Religious Affections

"Because of His great love to us, God opened our eyes to see His glory and gave us a new heart to love Him for that glory. (75) —From Reading Religious Affections

"To be led by the Spirit is to act according to the holy inclinations of the Holy Spirit in the transformed heart, continually enlightened and trained by the Word of God, choosing and delighting in holiness rather than the evil desires of the sinful flesh (fallen human nature). (89) —From Reading Religious Affections

"What does an exaggerated view of one’s self and attainments indicate concerning one’s view of the excellence and greatness of God and His grace? (103) —From Reading Religious Affections

"Christian gentleness and meekness are compatible with Christian zeal and boldness. (109) —From Reading Religious Affections

"The seeking of one’s own significance and distinction from others is a characteristic of our modern culture, but Edwards saw it as a form of pride. Is he correct? (109) —From Reading Religious Affections

"What may appear to be a love for God may merely be a love of the benefits of God. Is it also possible that seeking after God may merely be seeking after the benefits of God? (116) —From Reading Religious Affections

"Is it an evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit that someone is willing to serve people in poverty in the third world, forsaking their own personal comforts, but have no concern of the eternal destiny of those whom they serve? (117) —From Reading Religious Affections

"The ground of gracious affections is the moral excellency of God and His works. (120) —From Reading Religious Affections

"Gracious affections are attended with the conviction that the Gospel is true. (120) —From Reading Religious Affections

"Christian practice is more than moral living and the absence of glaring character flaws. It involves a life devoted to the service and obedience to God. (124) —From Reading Religious Affections

"Holy practice as evidence of the sincerity and reality of one’s Christian profession is the principal of all other evidences noted in Scripture. (128) —From Reading Religious Affections

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