WOW, I can only pick one? That seems like a sin as each has his strengths and weaknesses. I selected JE because he crystallized much of the Christan faith with his advanced writings ... however others ALL have their pluses, Owens, Watson, etc.
I picked Jonathan Edwards. To be honest, even though I've read writings by some of the other choices, I don't think I've read any of their sermons. So, I don't think I was able to make a very educated choice. I do love JE's sermons though.
I wish I knew more about these men's sermons in order to vote an opinion. I am acquainted with most of them in name only, but have only read Edwards some. Unfortunately, that is the extent of my knowledge.
Is there a light, summarization book that would give an overview of these men pastorates / sermons?
John Chaney
"having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith . . ."Colossians 2:7
I know picking one out of this list will be a hard. After making the list, I realized that it would be a hard choice for me. I narrowed the list of choices down to 3, Thomas Watson, John Bunyan and Richard Baxter. I picked John Bunyan. His theology was good, but undervalued I believe. Also John Owen said, "He would give up all his learning to preach with the power Bunyan had."
Some sermons of most of the men listed in the Poll can be found on The Highway here: Sermon Library. There are two pages of listings. The other option open to you is to do a Search of The Highway using the Advanced Search and type in the last name of the author you would like to find. Just disable all the search parameters except for "Title". See the screenshot below.
For myself I picked Thomas Watson. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/BigThumbUp.gif" alt="" /> I own "A Body Of Divinity" "The Lords Prayer" and "The Ten Commandments" which are all excellent books. I would recommend them highly.
I know my picture is of Richard Baxter, but I like Thomas Watson better. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I haven't read "Reformed Pastor" but I hear it is a very good book. I have read some short essays from Baxter but he for me is a little hard to read, which brings me to my next point.
Although I knew that Edwards would be the winner in this poll and that he has certainly deserved it with his brilliant writings, It is extremely hard for a simple laymen as myself to read him. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/scratch1.gif" alt="" /> The hardest part for most Christians in my opinion to read puritan works is simply the fact that it's hard to understand. This is one reason I haven't spent a lot of time reading Edwards and Owens. They are way above my head. Although I know it is edifying for me to do so, so I do occasionally try to struggle through their works.
But as far as getting a real down to earth "puritan" feel of scripture, I would recommend Thomas Watson. When I read his works, it is as if I'm transported back to the 17'th century. I can just feel the "puritan" oozing out of every sentence. It's a great way to change your presupposition towards scripture. For me, it made God's Word more alive and vibrant, it really put the meaning into scripture being our daily bread. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bravo.gif" alt="" />
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. - Galatians 2:16
I chose Edwards mainly because I have read him extensively and, as an American, I am thankful that we can claim him!
As for Edwards being hard to read; I remember thinking he was challenging when I first started reading his works, but I can honestly say that, (as encouragement for those of you who find it hard to read him, hang in there) the more you read the more tuned your mind will become to the writings of that period and it will become much much easier. He is well worth the effort.
Trust the past to God's mercy, the present to God's love and the future to God's providence." - St. Augustine Hiraeth
M'Cheyne, was a great preacher, but I could not add all the great preachers to the list. He would have been high on my list. Also I wanted to limit the list to preachers before 1800.
You and most everyone else would probably enjoy reading this: Why Read the Puritans Today?, by Rev. Don Kistler. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/BigThumbUp.gif" alt="" />
Johnnie_Burgess said: Yes, his works are worth the effort. But you might want to start out with others and work you way up to him.
I agree that for most Edwards and Owen are difficult reading. But just imagine, that the sermons we have extant today of Edwards were preached to a congregation of mostly farmers and people not nearly as educated as we are today. This is a truly humbling thought, is it not? With all our education; high school, college and graduate schools, we still cannot equal the comprehension which those poor deprived individuals of the 18th century had. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/drop.gif" alt="" /> This doesn't speak well for the modern church and its preaching/teaching either.
For those that have a really difficult time reading John Owen, the Banner of Truth has been publishing a series of volumes from his Works which are "interpreted" (abridged) <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/giggle.gif" alt="" /> and rewritten in modern English. A couple are: The Mortification of Sin (from vol. 6) and "The Spirit and the Church" (from vol. 4). I believe there are a total of 4 of these abridgments done thus far in paperback.
Thank you very much for the link.... It's awesome!!!!!
I have decided to change my sig. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/BigThumbUp.gif" alt="" />
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. - Galatians 2:16
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