One Holy and Happy Society

The Public Theology of Jonathan Edwards

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Theology, History, Americas, United States, Christianity
Cover of the book One Holy and Happy Society by Gerald McDermott, Penn State University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Gerald McDermott ISBN: 9780271072722
Publisher: Penn State University Press Publication: October 9, 1992
Imprint: Penn State University Press Language: English
Author: Gerald McDermott
ISBN: 9780271072722
Publisher: Penn State University Press
Publication: October 9, 1992
Imprint: Penn State University Press
Language: English

Jonathan Edwards (1703–58) was arguably this country's greatest theologian and its finest philosopher before the nineteenth century. His school if disciples (the "New Divinity") exerted enormous influence on the religious and political cultures of late colonial and early republican America. Hence any study of religion and politics in early America must take account of this theologian and his legacy.

Yet historians still regard Edward's social theory as either nonexistent or underdeveloped. Gerald McDermott demonstrates, to the contrary, that Edwards was very interested in the social and political affairs of his day, and commented upon them at length in his unpublished sermons and private notebooks. McDermott shows that Edwards thought deeply about New England's status under God, America's role in the millennium, the nature and usefulness of patriotism, the duties of a good magistrate, and what it means to be a good citizen. In fact, his sociopolitical theory was at least as fully developed as that of his better-known contemporaries and more progressive in its attitude toward citizens' rights.

Using unpublished manuscripts that have previously been largely ignored, McDermott also convincingly challenges generations of scholarly opinion about Edwards. The Edwards who emerges from this nook is both less provincial and more this-worldly than the persona he is commonly given.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Jonathan Edwards (1703–58) was arguably this country's greatest theologian and its finest philosopher before the nineteenth century. His school if disciples (the "New Divinity") exerted enormous influence on the religious and political cultures of late colonial and early republican America. Hence any study of religion and politics in early America must take account of this theologian and his legacy.

Yet historians still regard Edward's social theory as either nonexistent or underdeveloped. Gerald McDermott demonstrates, to the contrary, that Edwards was very interested in the social and political affairs of his day, and commented upon them at length in his unpublished sermons and private notebooks. McDermott shows that Edwards thought deeply about New England's status under God, America's role in the millennium, the nature and usefulness of patriotism, the duties of a good magistrate, and what it means to be a good citizen. In fact, his sociopolitical theory was at least as fully developed as that of his better-known contemporaries and more progressive in its attitude toward citizens' rights.

Using unpublished manuscripts that have previously been largely ignored, McDermott also convincingly challenges generations of scholarly opinion about Edwards. The Edwards who emerges from this nook is both less provincial and more this-worldly than the persona he is commonly given.

More books from Penn State University Press

Cover of the book The Philosophy of Michael Oakeshott by Gerald McDermott
Cover of the book Rhetoric’s Pragmatism by Gerald McDermott
Cover of the book Challenges for Rural America in the Twenty-First Century by Gerald McDermott
Cover of the book Terms of Response by Gerald McDermott
Cover of the book Rethinking Humanitarian Intervention by Gerald McDermott
Cover of the book The Hidden Life of Life by Gerald McDermott
Cover of the book Among the Bone Eaters by Gerald McDermott
Cover of the book Common Nymphs of Eastern North America by Gerald McDermott
Cover of the book The Illusion of Civil Society by Gerald McDermott
Cover of the book The Authority of Experience by Gerald McDermott
Cover of the book Divided Empire by Gerald McDermott
Cover of the book Museum Rhetoric by Gerald McDermott
Cover of the book The Rise and Fall of Democracy in Early America, 1630–1789 by Gerald McDermott
Cover of the book Picturing Experience in the Early Printed Book by Gerald McDermott
Cover of the book Performing Animals by Gerald McDermott
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy