SIGNS of the

Spirit

AN INTERPRETATION OF

Jonathan Edwards’

RELIGIOUS AFFECTIONS

SAM STORMS

CROSSWAY BOOKS

wheaton, illinois

Signs of the Spirit: An Interpretation of Jonathan Edwards’

“Religious Affections”

Copyright © 2007 by C. Samuel Storms

Published by Crossway Books

a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers

1300 Crescent Street

Wheaton, Illinois 60187

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except as provided for by USA copyright law.

Cover design: Jon McGrath

Cover illustration: iStock

First printing 2007

Scripture quotations occurring within direct quotations from Jonathan Edwards are from the King James Version of the Bible.

Unless marked kjv, all other Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Storms, C. Samuel, 1951–

Signs of the spirit: an interpretation of Jonathan Edwards’ “Religious affections” / Sam Storms.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-58134-932-0 (tpb)

1. Edwards, Jonathan, 1703–1758. Treatise concerning the religious affections. 2. Edwards, Jonathan, 1703–1758. Faithful narrative of the surprising work of God. 3. Conversion—Christianity—History of doctrines—18th century. 4. Emotions—Religious aspects—Christianity—History of doctrines—18th century. I. Title.

BX7260.E3S76 2007

248.2—dc22

2007006232

Affectionately dedicated to:

Lyle and Mary Dorsett

Faithful friends, Lovers of God, Devoted to the Church

Ann and I will be forever grateful for your

sacrificial support, loving prayers, shepherd’s heart,

and

godly example

CONTENTS

Preface: A Brief Apologetic for Signs of the Spirit

PART ONE

Religious Affections

Introduction: Revival: The Context of Edwards’ Religious Affections

1 The Essence of True Spirituality

2 Spiritual Affections

3 Biblical Foundations for Understanding the Affections

4 The Affections in Prayer, Praise, and Preaching

5 “Signs” of Nothing (1)

6 “Signs” of Nothing (2)

7 Signs of Authentic Affections: An Introduction

8 The First Sign of Authentic Affections

9 The Second Sign of Authentic Affections

10 The Third Sign of Authentic Affections

11 The Fourth Sign of Authentic Affections

12 The Fifth Sign of Authentic Affections

13 The Sixth Sign of Authentic Affections

14 The Seventh Sign of Authentic Affections

15 The Eighth Sign of Authentic Affections

16 The Ninth Sign of Authentic Affections

17 The Tenth Sign of Authentic Affections

18 The Eleventh Sign of Authentic Affections

19 The Twelfth Sign of Authentic Affections (1)

20 The Twelfth Sign of Authentic Affections (2)

PART TWO

Personal Narrative

Introduction: The Personal Spirituality of Jonathan Edwards...