Affections Quote by Jonathan Edwards
““It does not answer the aim which God had in this institution, merely for men to have good commentaries and expositions on the Scripture, and other good books of divinity; because, although these may tend, as well as preaching, to give a good doctrinal or speculative understanding of the word of God, yet they have not an equal tendency to impress them on men's hearts and affections. God hath appointed a particular and lively application of his word, in the preaching of it, as a fit means to affect sinners with the importance of religion, their own misery, the necessity of a remedy, and the glory and sufficiency of a remedy provided; to stir up the pure minds of the saints, quicken their affections by often bringing the great things of religion in their remembrance, and setting them in their proper colours, though they know them, and have been fully instructed in them already. ””
About This Quote
Source Sermon: The Great Awakening, 1740s
Preaching must move hearts, not just inform minds, to inspire true religious transformation.
In simple terms: Preaching should affect emotions, not just intellect.
Key Takeaway
Focus on heartfelt preaching.
Themes
religion
preaching
emotion
doctrine
conversion
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
theological
inspirational
When to use this quote
- church services
- Bible study groups
- personal devotion
Key Concepts
spiritual awakening
heartfelt communication
Questions to Reflect On
- How can sermons engage both mind and heart?
- What methods deepen emotional resonance?
A Different Perspective
Words alone may not change behavior without emotional impact.
![“But it is doubtless true, and evident from [the] Scriptures, that the essence of all true religion lies in holy love; and that in this divine affection, and an habitual disposition to it, and that light which is the foundation of it, and those things which are the fruits of it, consists the whole…” quote by Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2fd/jonathan-edwards-770_affection_but-it-is-doubtless-true-and-evident-fro_82879.jpg)
