Currently I, and some of the students in the high school ministry, are going through “God’s Passion for His Glory” by John Piper. Piper wrote this book in order to introduce readers to Jonathan Edwards, a pastor and theologian considered by many to be one of the most brilliant minds in American history. While I’ve read Ian Murray’s biography of Edwards, I haven’t read any of his books yet. “The End for Which God Create the World” (published in Pipers book) will be the first, and no doubt “Freedom of the Will” looks to be next, and shortly at that. While I’ve not read Edwards just yet (starting tomorrow) I do know of his influence on many of those close to me. Tony Reinke of Shepherd’s Scrapbook fame, Erik Raymond at Irish Calvinist, senior pastor Pat Abendroth and pastor Chris Petersen at my church, Omaha Bible Church are just a few. I directly suspect others as well. Read the following and tell me who you suspect as well:
“By a sparingness in diet, and eating as much as may be what is light and easy of digestion, I shall doubtless be able to think more clearly, and shall gain more time: 1. By Lengthening out my life; 2. Shall need less time for digestion, after meals; 3. Shall be able to study more closely, without injury to my health; 4. Shall need less time for sleep; 5. Shall more seldom be troubled with the head-ache.” (quoted in Sereno Dwight’s “Memoirs of Johnathan Edwards”)
Edwards had an incredible, bulldog-like fervor for pursuing the knowledge of God. He ruthlessly, systematically studied, always with pen in hand. he balanced a great intellect with warmth and passion. He was bordering on being a little nuts about it, too, by the likes of the previous quotation.
Dude really liked to study, huh?
I definitely know a few people who take a few pages from his book. Apparently, Tony ACTUALLY does the book thing . I’m looking forward to swiping a few pages, myself.
