The Federal Theology of Jonathan Edwards: An Exegetical Perspective
The Christ-centered exegesis of Jonathan Edwards
Jonathan Edwards is remembered for his sermons and works of theology and philosophy—but he has been overlooked as an exegete.
Gilsun Ryu’s The Federal Theology of Jonathan Edwards explores how exegesis drove Edwards’s focus on the headship of Christ as second Adam—and likewise formed a foundation for his broader theological reasoning and writing, especially on Christ and the covenants. Edwards’s distinctive emphases on exegesis, redemptive history, and the harmony of Scripture distinguish him from his Reformed forebears.
Ryu’s study will help readers appreciate Edwards’s contribution as an exegetically informed Reformed theologian.
Praise for The Federal Theology of Jonathan Edwards
In addition to demonstrating conclusively that Jonathan Edwards was a federal theologian, this study also provides a helpful overview of his Reformed predecessors—Johannes Cocceius, Hermann Witsius, Petrus van Mastricht, and Francis Turretin—and the development of federal theology. That historical look at the idea of a ‘history of redemption,’ combined with detailed examination of Edwards’s exegetical basis for all the aspects of his covenant theology, makes this a landmark study in the scholarship of federal theology in general and Edwards scholarship in particular. ... This is a valuable book for preachers and students of Scripture as well as scholars.
–John Bolt, emeritus professor of systematic theology, Calvin Theological Seminary
Studies in Historical and Systematic Theology
Studies in Historical and Systematic Theology is a peer-reviewed series of contemporary monographs exploring key figures, themes, and issues in historical and systematic theology from an evangelical perspective.
Learn more about the other titles in this series.
- Foreword by Douglas A. Sweeney
- Introduction
- A Sketch of the History of Redemption Among Edwards’s Antecedents
- The Doctrine of the Covenant of Redemption and the History of Redemption
- The Doctrine of the Covenant of Works and the History of Redemption
- The Doctrine of the Covenant of Grace and the History of Redemption
- The Exegetical Basis of the Doctrine of the Covenant of Redemption
- The Exegetical Basis of the Doctrine of the Covenant of Works
- The Exegetical Basis of the Doctrine of the Covenant of Grace
- Edwards’s Federal Theology in Ecclesiastical Perspective
- Conclusion
- Title: The Federal Theology of Jonathan Edwards: An Exegetical Perspective
- Author: Gilsun Ryu
- Series: Studies in Historical and Systematic Theology
- Publisher: Lexham Press
- Publication Date: 2021
- Pages:368
- Format: Logos Digital, Paperback
- Trim Size: 6x9
- ISBN: 9781683594574
Gilsun Ryu (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is adjunct professor at Kukje Theological University and Seminary in South Korea.
Reviews
2 ratings
Peggy Luke
7/7/2021
I gave the book, The Federal Theology of Jonathan Edwards, a 4/5. This book is an excellent read for laypeople of the church. The thesis of the book is well proven and solidified by the arguments provided in the text. The author is always interesting and intriguing. The book makes an excellent guide to Edwards's writings and interpretations of the Bible. The material in this book is organized clearly and helpfully. The book needed more length for its thesis to be fully explained and augmented throughout the literature on the topic. There were a few grammatical and syntactical errors in the book. I think there should have been a preface to the book to explain the players of this historical era. This section would make the book easily accessible to all readers. The introduction of the book is a different tone and mood than the body of the book. Other than that, this book is a great read.Christian Alexander
7/5/2021
This book is an excellent read for all Christians, no matter their background. It does an excellent job of explaining the federal theology of Edwards from an interpretive and exegetical point of view. The writings of Jonathan Edwards and their relation to the Bible are laid out in a way that is accessible to me, an ordinary layperson in seminary who wants to learn more. I find this book inspiring and encouraging to my faith in Jesus Christ. The book’s tone and mood change throughout, and this makes it hard to read. All in all, this is a good book to read. This book needs to be on all bookshelves because it is a blessing to the reader.