John Calvin and Jonathan Edwards by Steven Lawson

I just finished the second book I have read of Steve Lawson’s in his A Long Line of Godly Men Profile series, The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards. The first book I read of his in this series was The Expository Genius of John Calvin. Both of these books while short are very good reads. They both give an insight in a particular aspect of each man. With Calvin the book focus on his preaching and this is not a book just for preachers but even for those that listen to preaching. In a day and age that preaching is sorely lacking I would pray this book would inspire those that preach and encourage those who listen to seek out all that God’s word has to say.

The Edwards book deals with the 70 resolutions written by Edwards when he was 18-19. It is amazing to read the depth of his devotion to Christ and his exalting of Him even at the young age of 18. Lawson writes in such a way that while we may be in awe of Edwards we can see how his actions are what we should aspire to as well. Edwards lets us see what being Christ focused is all about and that it is not simply a matter of claiming a desire to exalt Christ but actively, by the power of God, seeking to exalt Christ in all we do.

I would pray as you read these books you would be reminded of what it is to be focused on Christ and they would inspire you to seek after Him as both these men did. Books such as these are not to replace scripture but they can give us insight into how God has worked through His word in others and we can pray He does the same with us.