Jonathan Edwards's Theology: A Reinterpretation: (T&T Clark Studies in Systematic Theology)

This volume provides an interpretative key to Jonathan Edwards's theology developed from within his own doctrinal constructs. Strobel offers a dogmatic exposition of Edwards's theology by unveiling the trinitarian architecture of his thought. Building upon this analysis, Strobel applies his construct to reinterpret three key areas of redemption debated widely in the secondary literature: spiritual knowledge, regeneration, and religious affection. In order to achieve this purpose, Strobel's approach is theological rather than philosophical, employing Edwards's self-confession as a Reformed theologian to guide his analysis. In advancing a theological reading of Edwards, Strobel focuses on the systematic nature of Edward's theology, ordering it according to his doctrinal affirmations. This necessitates, as many Edwards scholars now affirm, a primary focus on Edwards's trinitarian theology, where the Trinity serves as the key ontological principle which orders the whole of his doctrinal construction. By grounding the interpretive key in Edwards's understanding of the Trinity, Strobel's idiosyncratic exposition of his doctrine of the Trinity serves to recast Edwards's theology in a new light.

Table of Contents:
Introduction Section 1: Jonathan Edwards's God Chapter 1: Personal Beatific-Delight: An Account of the Trinity Section 2: Emanation to Consummation Chapter 2: The End for Which God Created the World Chapter 3: Heaven is a Word of Love Section 3: Redemption as Remanation Chapter 4: Spiritual Knowledge Chapter 5: Regeneration Chapter 6: Religious Affection as Remanation unto Glory Recapitulation Evaluation

About the Author :
Kyle C. Strobel is Assistant Professor in the Institute of Spiritual Formation, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, USA.

Review :
This book is a very significant contribution to Edwards studies. Kyle Strobel insists - rightly - that Edwards's theology is uncompromisingly theocentric, and carefully and clearly traces the ways in which the central vision of God's triunity determines the whole shape of Edwards's thought. Along the way, we are repeatedly treated to judicious and significant interventions in current disagreements in Edwards scholarship. Every student of Edwards's theology will want to read this book with care, and will find great profit in so doing. - Stephen R. Holmes, Senior Lecturer in Systematic Theology, University of St. Andrews -- Stephen R. Holmes Jonathan Edwards's Theology: A Reinterpretation suggests some new directions in the study of the work of America's preeminent theologian. Most notably Kyle Strobel insists that Edwards is best understood theologically from "the top down". Strobel argues intelligently for his way of reading Edwards and his work is sure to provoke further constructive scholarly debate. - George Marsen, Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History Emeritus, University of Notre Dame -- George Marsden Kyle Strobel is one of a new generation of theologians retrieving the work of Jonathan Edwards for contemporary dogmatics. This volume offers a fresh, clear, and accessible reading of the whole of Edwards's theology in conversation and disagreement with much of the recent literature on the Northampton Sage. His conclusions are sure to generate discussion and debate. But one thing is certain: he makes a compelling case for the importance of Edwards as a constructive Christian thinker of the first rank, whose work speaks across the centuries into contemporary debates about Christian doctrine. - Oliver Crisp, Professor of Systematic Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary -- Oliver Crisp