At the beginning of each new year I read the same three things:
1. Psalm 90
2. Ephesians 5
3. The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards
I also remind myself of the words of Charles Spurgeon: ‘He who marries today’s fashion is tomorrow’s widow.’
I would also encourage readers (if you aren’t already working through the Bible systematically) to start a plan to read the Bible at least once this year. There are multiple resources available to help you. For those who really want to get after it, I recommend the three month plan HERE. I followed this plan through a few years ago and managed to read the Bible four times that year. I eventually figured out that I could do this without the exact plan so long as I read about 25 minutes a day. I have settled in on three times a year for the past couple of years, that seems to work best for me. I am to the point where I do this by feel, and don’t need to follow a concrete layout, but there is a structured four month plan available HERE. I will also provide a link to Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s one year plan HERE.
Whatever you do, be persistent. Expect setbacks, and do not let them deter you. This is not something that you do in order to be accepted by God, so there is no external pressure. This is something for the good of your own soul. If you miss a meal, you just eat a little more at the next one. That’s the way it works.
Some of these resolutions of Edwards like observing the strictest temperance with eating and drinking are pharisaic. It seems to me his intentions were right but who can measure up to all these resolutions?
Why are they pharisaic?
If they in the end glorified God which is what Edwards proposed with resolution 1 then its not.
I wanted to state is that nobody should put themselves under some kind of law keeping and be downcast by them because he or she cant measure up to them. But I do see that as grace flows into our lives, we are formed more and more into the likeness of Christ. ” Work out your Salvation with fear and trembling…for it is God who works within you.” I’m not wanting to discredit Mr. Edwards neither can I and so if we are seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness then all these things will be added. There are many verses that complement these resolutions and like what Mr.Edwards did say ” we cant do anything without God ‘ s help. Truthfully, I haven’t meditated on all he has written done because there’s a lot there. Do you read this resolution often or just once a year?
I’m very pleased with the discipline shown….This document makes me want to know what sort of man he was
I have to add ( now that I thought about the pharisaic statement I made on a rush) that the reason I said this is because in my own life I did set (outwardly resolutions) which were not bad in themselves but I was thinking if I didn’t do them I wouldn’t have that relationship with GOd that I wanted then if I did them. I have to say that the resolutions of Jonathan Edwards are good because they fulfill phillipians 4: 8-9. Forget about my comment…
That’s exactly why I asked you the question. I knew when you began to answer it you would realize it didn’t make sense. I generally read his resolutions at the beginning of each year, but I have quite a few of them memorized, and they are constantly with me.Years ago I bought the two-volume set of his works, and I never go more than a couple of months without reading something in them.
As far as his resolutions about eating, in Iain Murray’s biography of Edwards, he says that Edwards was very conscious of the fact that the way he ate influenced his ability to study and pray for long hours. He would often spend over 10 hours a day in study and prayer, so this was vital. He wanted to eat in a way that would allow him to do what he believed he was called to do. Modern food-science has only confirmed what Edwards knew 300 years ago – the way you eat impacts your productivity.
Just for your information, Edwards is one of my heroes. His sermons are better than any sermons you will ever read. He has influenced me in virtually every area of my life, especially in theology and preaching. For an introduction to Edwards, start with John Piper’s biography of him (it’s a little over an hour, and it is worth it): http://www.desiringgod.org/biographies/the-pastor-as-theologian
Thanks for the gracious response to my accusation :). Its exactly how you foretold, I started rambling in my mind about Pharisees and Jesus’s relation to them and nothing matched. I was too fire ready on my response but your reply reassured that all is well in this matter.
It would do us all an advantage to watch how we eat and drink. For me , I’m so active and I have a fast metabolism its hard to eat too much.
What is the special formula that Jonathan Edwards discovered?
Ive listened to J.I. packer and Steve Lawson speak on Jonathan Edwards but I will definately start where you suggested!
Happy New Year of 2014! One more year closer to the glorification of your bodies and enjoying Him Forever!
….Psalm 90 is a sobering chapter by the way
Edwards didn’t discover a special formula. He just tried to judge how his body responded to certain foods, and amounts of foods, and find out what worked best for him. And when he found that something worked, he went with it.
I have an question with this paragraph that came for John Piper’s biography:
“I think that what happens for many pastors is that the ministry does not flourish with as much power and joy as they had hoped and just to survive emotionally they start to give way to amusements and diversions and hobbies. The ministry becomes a 40-hour-a-week job that you do like any other, and then the evenings and days off are filled up with harmless, enjoyable diversions. And the whole feel changes. The radical urgency fades. The wartime mentality shifts to a peacetime mentality. The lifestyle starts to get cushy. The all-consuming singleness of vision evaporates.”
Is he only speaking to pastors here? Because I’m not a pastor and How much of what he is saying in the above paragraph applies to me as a Christian?
I’m sure having a 40-hour-a-week is okay to have without being a pastor because it may be God’s calling for you. How somebody spends there time will most likely affect there “power and joy and hope” in Spiritual things.
The singleness of mind, the resolution to do all things:
# 44, Resolved, That no other end but religion shall have any influence at all in any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it.
# 61, Resolved, That I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it . . .
Is there a balance in what he is saying above ” amusements and diversions and hobbies”?
I like to go fishing and crabbing with my Dad ….thats a amusement
I like to play pool with my Grandpa ….that can be considered a hobby
I like to exercise outside….that can be a diversion.
I’m sure these are harmless and enjoyable diversions.
Then I ask what lifestyle is he applying from quote ” The lifestyle starts to get cushy. The all-consuming singleness of vision evaporates.” —This was very convicting and the what was said after this much more.
For Example:
“Edwards exhorts us to a single-minded occupation with God in season and out of season. Edwards calls this effort to know God “divinity” rather than theology. It is a science far above all other sciences. Listen to what he says we should occupy ourselves with:
God himself, the eternal Three in one, is the chief object of this science; and next Jesus Christ, as God-man and Mediator, and the glorious work of redemption, the most glorious work that ever was wrought: then the great things of the heavenly world, the glorious and eternal inheritance purchased by Christ, and promised in the gospel; the work of the Holy Spirit of God on the hearts of men; our duty to God, and the way in which we ourselves may become . . . like God himself in our measure. All these are objects of this science. (Works, II, 159)
“Resolved: To study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly, and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive, myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.”
These two statements here aren’t only for pastors because this should be embroidered in all God-fearing people.
I received further more from Jonathan edwards study life and how to increase my thought life and Bible reading:
“Even while a boy he began to study with his pen in his hand;”
This will be something I will add to my reading!
I have another question: When John Piper talks about passive readers and like he said “Passive Thinkers” as he was trying to conjure up an 8-minute thought process as he was walking—-it was impossible for him to do it. That’s what he said.
Does this mean at my work place, i should redeem the time by thinking of spiritual things or of anything to its utmost?
and
Does this mean I have to have pen in hand when I per say read a fairy-tale or the Hobbit?
Because I read somewhere C.S. Lewis stating that fictional books should be ran through and be read at one setting.
I really enjoyed this talk of John Pipers and where to branch off next; I dont know.
Mr.Piper stated Iain Murray: http://www.amazon.com/Jonathan-Edwards-Biography-Iain-Murray/dp/0851514944/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388690527&sr=1-7
I’m not sure If thats the one
and then he listed: Religious affections, Freedom of the Will, Life of David Brainerd
Is there any specific book to start out with?
Our bodies*
1. I do think he is only speaking of pastors in that section. Pastors should be men devoted to their calling. All the great ones that I’ve read about were single-mindedly devoted to being a pastor/shepherds. do think it is helpful to think about spiritual things during the day for someone who has a ‘regular’ job, but not if thinking causes you do do a bad job. And I think all Christians are called to be ‘theologians’ in a sense – the study of God and communion with God are our highest purpose, but we are not called to be monks. Hobbies are fine, like fishing and pool and the like, so long as they are not doing you spiritual harm. They can actually be means for communion with God if you have eyes to see it.
2. Back to the ‘thinking’ part. Learning to be a thinker does not necessarily mean you have to be thinking every second. But you need to set aside time each day for deep thought and reflection, especially relating to the Bible. I have challenged my people on several occasions to actually sit down and see how long they can sustain a thought based on a passage in Scripture.
3. As for reading with pen in hand: I think it is a good idea to always have a pen. I personally try not to use it when I am reading fiction, but I might underline a key phrase that catches my attention so that I can go back and revisit it later. The main thing with fiction is to be attentive to the story, and you can’t do that if you’re constantly stopping to take notes. I tell people that you can underline something you want to revisit later, or you can do a more detailed reading the second time you read something.
Edwards note taking was primarily related to the Bible and theological and philosophical works, and he is absolutely right. This blog is essentially me trying to do what Piper was talking about. I read books, I underline key passages, I make notes in the margin, and then I go and write about them in order to clarify my thoughts and commit them to memory.
4. The Iain Murray biography that you linked is a really good book. I have it in my library and have read it twice. As far as Edwards’ books – I recommend starting with his sermons to be honest.They give you a feel for how he writes, and they’re extremely helpful. Here are a few that I find particularly good and helpful (they’re my favorites in other words):
Here’s a good one: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/edwards/sermons.excellency.html
And here: http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/edwards_light.html
And here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVf6mCzsS_o
And here: http://www.biblebb.com/files/edwards/truegrace.htm
From there I would recommend 1) A Dissertation Concerning the End for which God Created the World, which you can read online here: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/edwards/works1.iv.ii.html
This is my favorite book by Edwards and it changed my life, it was that helpful.
2. The Religious Affections, here: http://www.ccel.org/browse/bookInfo?id=edwards/affections
Both of those books are great, and they’re a bit lighter than some of his other stuff.
If I missed any of your questions let me know.
Thanks for the resources!
I have one more question then I will give the replies a rest.
You said in a previous post that you worked at a pharmacy. I wanted to ask you if you knew how to treat or cure acne? Or if its just genetic? Or most young men/ women get it and it goes away later on?
Both of my parents had acne and now they don’t. I’m 19 and I’m coming to the conclusion that I just have to wait it out.
I know its not a spiritual topic ( that I know of); ive heard Martyn Lloyd Jones talk about physical problems being the results of spiritual problems.
By no means would I join together hand to hand every physical ailment to a spiritual cause.
What do you think? Thanks Heath!
I appreciate the time you spend writing back!
( Also, is Mars hill audio ( the one you recommended) worth the money?
This is actually semi-related to the post. You need to watch how your body responds to food. I know a young man who always breaks out after eating chocolate. He has acne regularly, but it gets worse when he eats it, so he just tries to avoid it.
If you have really bad flare ups (especially painful ones) you can get a Dr. to prescribe Clindamycin or Minocycline, they help. As far as every day stuff, you can wash your face with a benzoyl peroxide wash (over the counter) and that may help. It doesn’t cure acne completely, and it can dry your face out, but it may help. Also, some studies have shown that antioxidants can help, and grapeseed extract is the cheapest and best available over the counter.
As far as Mars Hill Audio, it is absolutely great. I have listened and relistened to some of the stuffI I’ve bought from them, literally, a dozen times over. They’re so rich in content you just have to keep listening. They have gone up on prices lately though. You might want to listen to Ken Myers talk first before buying anything. Here’s a video:
And you can get a free issue of the audio journal here, but you have to sign up (it’s free): https://marshillaudio.org/page/journal
And you can listen to ‘addenda’ by searching for Mars Hill Audio on iTunes.
Take care
I also meant to say about the acne that it will almost certainly go away as you get older, but I’m sure your parents have told you that 🙂
There’s a happy thought! And cheers to the quickest reply!! You must be on your computer already
Do you know anything about acutane, its medicine for acne?
Yes, it works but also has some very dangerous side effects. I am not a physician and cannot give specific medical advice, but from my experience I would strongly encourage you to avoid it.
The dermatologist said that’s I already have scarring on my face because of acne and if I didn’t take it, I will probably end up having acne for a while and a scarred face. The side effects cause me to really think about whether its worth it. I was thinking it might just be better to deny my self because God looks at the heart of man and not at the appearance.
I have known several people who have taken it. I’ve met one who said it helped and did not have any negative effects. But I have met more than one that said it caused some psychological issues (one ended up having some pretty severe depression). That’s my main concern. Maybe you could try it and see how it effects you. But if it starts messing with your mood too much, then it’s not worth it.
Have you tried experimenting with what you eat? Almost everyone I’ve talked to at the pharmacy that has followed the advice of our pharmacists about food and natural supplements has been able to see quite a bit of improvement. A lot of it is just hormones, but eating sweets and fatty food certainly plays a role.
No, I havent tried eating different foods because i only can eat whats in my house and we buy the same snacks. What natural supplements are you talking about?
I think I would react badly to accutane. By knowing myself already, I would rather try what your saying
I happened to be on here just now, I may not be able to write back for a little while. First, as far as supplements – the main thing is getting antioxidants. I am friends with a Doctor of Pharmacy who runs the drug information department at a major university hospital (and is the most knowledgeable man I’ve ever met on medicine). He recommends grape seed extract. I have personally been taking it for years. It has a number of benefits, and one of them is that it can possibly help with acne. I have a co-worker who used it for this purpose, and it helped. It is available over the counter, has zero side effects, and is relatively inexpensive. You can get it at any pharmacy and even at most WalMart stores. In addition to this, if you are not taking a multivitamin, that might be a good idea (it may or may not help). I would recommend a multivitamin with antioxidants such as lutein and lycopene in it. Sunvites is one cheap and popular brand that comes to mind, but there are others as well. You could go to a pharmacy and ask someone behind the pharmacy counter.
As far as food – sugar is the big one. I know that’s a tough one, everybody likes sugar. But it can make a ton of difference. I know one guy from the drug store who was able to control his SEVERE acne simply by staying away from chocolate.
The main thing is to watch your own body. If you see that you are having a severe flareup, ask yourself what you have been eating during that time. If you have a time where it is not so bad, ask the same question.
Thanks for the reply, all things considered!
I eat a lot of peanut butter, Graham crackers, apples, oranges, cereal, pretzels, peanuts, nuts, bagels,
I don’t eat many vegetables in a day.
Breakfast: cereal, oatmeal, bagel with cream cheese or peanutbutter
Lunch: sandwich either Pb and j or meat and cheese, top ramen, Mac and cheese, frozen burritos and/ or leftovers from dinner.
Dinner : varies but normally we have a portion of meat, vegetatable and rice or beans