What did Jonathan Edwards mean in sending word to his wife…
““What did Jonathan Edwards mean in sending word to his wife that their union was “uncommon”? Was it that? And how was a union that had issued in eleven offspring “spiritual”? Of one thing we may be sure: Jonathan Edwards was not using his last words carelessly. This “major artist and chief American philosopher” (Miller, 1949:225) had not yet discarded his palette. His message to her had—all his words had—an exact, uncoded meaning, Lockean in its empirical force, that is there for us to recover if we will attend. Our path is to discover if we can the substance of this “uncommon” and “spiritual” union that was at the same time unquestionably an erotic bond. Something greater than curiosity is at stake for us here. Jonathan Edwards is preeminently a theologian of the heart and of the affections; to discover the kind of love that was central between these two may provide an exact clue to his own theological ethics—a bonus not to be disdained.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Edwards used “uncommon” and “spiritual” to describe a marriage that blended deep emotional intimacy with a higher moral purpose, reflecting his theological view that love is both erotic and divine.
In simple terms: He saw marriage as a rare, holy bond merging passion and virtue.
Key Takeaway
Recognize love’s dual nature in relationships.
Themes
theology
marriage
emotion
ethics
Mood
contemplative
inquisitive
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- marriage counseling
- personal reflection
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
affective theology
spiritual intimacy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does one balance erotic desire with spiritual ideals?
- Can love be both a moral duty and a personal passion?
A Different Perspective
His language may be poetic, making literal interpretation difficult.