Jonathan Edwards—A man who often studied for “thirteen hours a day”.

Every pastor-scholar must spend time in his study. No man who aspires to such a position can avoid it. Undoubtedly, there are some men who thrive on it. Others die trying (one of my older peers in seminary died during finals week). Yet few were like Edwards.

Edwards’ first biographer penned the words that would forever define him:

“He commonly spent thirteen hours, every day, in his study.”

Impressive, huh. Yet many fault Edwards for such diligence. They accuse him of being an “ivory tower” theologian, who was aloof and disengaged with the sheep he was called to “shepherd”. Is this assessment of Edwards correct? No….well, mostly no.

Here is a more balanced understanding of Jonathan Edwards:

First, Edwards’ study was always accessible to his family and his congregants.

Samuel Hopkins (Edwards’ first biographer) writes:

“He believed he could do more good conversing with persons under religious impressions in his study where they were treated with all desirable tenderness, kindness and familiarity.”

Was this a “cop out”? Some would say it was. Especially when it was common for pastors (of that day) to make a habit of visiting every family once a year.

Yet I would offer one argument in defense for Edwards, he was a man of serious temperament. Men like Edwards were often the most relaxed in the safety of their study, an environment that encouraged dialogue and reflection. He could “put his feet up” (as much as any Puritan did this) and ask questions of his congregants that were more ‘suited to their years and circumstances’.

Second, Edwards was given to hospitality.

There is no debate that Edwards loved to think, meditate and write. Yet this does not mean that when necessary, the pastor of Northampton would neglect treating his guests with honor.

Joseph Emerson, a fellow pastor, writes,

“Very courteously treated here. The most agreeable family I was ever acquainted with. Much of the presence of God here. Mr. Edwards was so kind as to accompany us over the Connecticut River and bring us on our way”.

Another account states that Edwards rode along with the great George Whitefield all the way to East Windsor (a trip roughly 70 miles on horseback), which likely took most (if not all) of one day.

Bottom line: There is no such thing as an "ivory tower theologian" who is given to hospitality. That is called a "contradiction".

Third, Edwards did household work.

Some portray Edwards as “absent-minded”, lost in the world of his mind, unable to interact with men of common rank and ordinary intelligence. Yet this assessment is again incorrect. Edwards could attend to crops, purchase cattle and even shop in Boston for his wife or the needs of his children. A better question is, “Did Edwards do this with regularity?” According to Hopkins, the answer is honestly, “No, he didn't”. 

He writes,

“It was a matter of policy that he normally left so much of everyday matters to his wife. She took almost the entire charge of the temporal affairs of the family, while he (Edwards) gave himself wholly to the work of the ministry, and entangled not himself with the affairs of this life.”

Sarah Edwards ran the home, but Edwards led the family. This is not debatable.


So what can we learn from Edwards today?

Don’t be lazy.

Whether Edwards was extreme or imbalanced is for historians to debate, but all would agree he was not lazy. His insatiable love for God and His Word drove him daily to his knees, desiring to be satisfied ONLY from the ‘words that proceeds out of the mouth of God’ (Matt. 4:4). Are 21st century Christians lazy? R.C. Sproul thinks so. He states:

“Here, then, is the real problem of our negligence. We fail in our duty to study God's Word not so much because it is difficult to understand, not so much because it is dull and boring, but because it is work. Our problem is not a lack of intelligence or a lack of passion. Our problem is that we are lazy. ”

This is why we look to Edwards, not just for an example of discipline, but as an example of someone who had great affections for Christ. These affections (bathed in diligence and discipline), led Edwards to personal holiness and this holiness made his light shine bright for Christ. His knowledge did not lead him out of this world but instead, the truth sanctified his heart and led him back into a world that was hurting and helpless in need of the gospel (John 17:14-18).

Don’t be deceived…..it was not the 13 hours a day that made him great; it was his unrivalled devotion to Jesus Christ.

Go take a walk with God.

The reader should not think that Edwards sat in his office for 13 hours a day. He often went on a walk during the days of summer and chopped wood in the cold, harsh winter. Why? To be alone with God. To think about Him. To reflect on the greatness and perfection of His attributes. To show his children the wisdom of God and that the Heavens declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1).

He was often seen with a pen and ink in the woods, making sure he was ready for additional insights the Holy Spirit might grant to him on that particular day.

Some of my most profound times with God are during an isolated walk.

Let me challenge you: If the weather is ripe, go spend some time with the God of the Universe.