Episode Overview

Podcast: 5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Episode: The Works of Edwards in 2 Volumes
Date: July 23, 2025
Host: Stephen Nichols (Ligonier Ministries)

In this episode, Stephen Nichols takes listeners on an engaging exploration of "The Works of Jonathan Edwards in Two Volumes," reflecting on the impact, scope, and treasures contained within this significant collection. Nichols shares personal anecdotes, highlights unique editorial traditions, and offers insights into Edwards’ wide-ranging intellect with memorable readings from Edwards' own miscellanies.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Monumental Set: Overview and Personal Anecdote

• Nichols introduces the topic by recounting his own history with "The Works of Jonathan Edwards in Two Volumes" published by Banner of Truth Trust.

  • Shares a personal story about misplacing his old set and the necessity of replacing it during his dissertation work.
  • Quote: “I remember exactly when I got these books. I was working on my dissertation on Edwards. I had had a set of these somewhere and they were missing and I needed to get them replaced and I got them replaced.” [00:21]

• He emphasizes the imposing size and density of these volumes:

  • “It’s massive, it’s a couple thousand pages, it’s a lot of words, it’s double column and it’s tiny print. To work through this is quite a feat.” [00:38]

The John Gerstner Reading Challenge

• Nichols recalls theologian John Gerstner’s unique encouragement for people to read Edwards:
  • Gerstner would gift the two-volume set to anyone who signed a pledge to read it, then award a special plate for completion.
  • Quote: “He would give someone the two volume set if they agreed to read it, signed a pledge to that effect and then in fact circled back to him when they were completed and had read it. And they would get a little plate that said as much and would be put inside the volumes.” [00:45]

Contents and Structure of the Volumes

• Sermons and Treatises: The collection is full of Edwards's major works, including sermons and theological writings.

  • Nichols notes that the very first item in volume two is Edwards's first published sermon, “God Glorified in Man’s Dependence.” [01:25]

• Biographical Introduction: Volume one opens with memoirs and a brief biography, mapping out Edwards's family lineage and connections. [01:36]

• Letters & Miscellanies: The set features correspondence and Edwards’s fascinating ‘Miscellanies’—notebooks of wide-ranging theological and philosophical reflections.

  • Nichols describes Edwards’s evolving system for organizing these thoughts (alphabetical, then numerical, reaching into the 1500s). [01:49]

The Miscellanies: A Glimpse into Edwards’s Mind

• Edwards’s miscellanies cover topics from the Apostle Paul to Plato, from the Psalms to Islam.
• Notable Reading: Nichols reads a passage from Edwards regarding Islam—providing a snapshot of 18th-century perspectives and Edwards’s philosophical reach:
  • Quote (Edwards, read by Nichols):
    “The great propagation of the Muhammadan religion, that's how Islam was referred to in the 1700s is a confirmation of revealed religion and so of the Christian religion in particular… Again, Muhammadan religion is a great demonstration of the extreme darkness, blindness, weakness, folly, madness of mankind in matters of religion and shows how greatly they stand in need of a divine guide and divine grace and strength for their help, such as the Gospel reveals…” [02:24]
  • Nichols reflects: “So a fascinating analysis and statement that isn't simply pointing out the error of Islam, but is reminding us of the need for the gospel.” [03:17]

Enduring Value and Final Thoughts

• Nichols closes by highlighting the inexhaustible depth of Edwards’s writings and their ongoing value:
  • Quote: “Well, there are so many little gems like that and these two volumes, if you add them to your library shelf, they will keep you busy for many, many days, months, possibly years to come as you read through the two volumes.” [03:28]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On size and challenge of the set:
  “It’s massive, it’s a couple thousand pages, it’s a lot of words, it’s double column and it’s tiny print. To work through this is quite a feat.” — Stephen Nichols [00:38]

• On John Gerstner’s reading pledge:
  “They would get a little plate that said as much and would be put inside the volumes.” [00:54]

• From Edwards’s Miscellanies, on Islam:
  “The great propagation of the Muhammadan religion... is a confirmation of revealed religion and so of the Christian religion in particular...” [02:24]

• On the inexhaustible nature of Edwards’s work:
  “These two volumes… will keep you busy for many, many days, months, possibly years to come as you read through.” [03:28]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:07 — Episode introduction and personal anecdote about Edwards’s Works
• 00:38 — Description of the two-volume set’s intimidating size
• 00:45 — John Gerstner’s reading challenge tradition
• 01:25 — Overview of volume content (sermons, treatises, memoirs, family tree)
• 01:49 — Explanation of Edwards’s miscellanies and their unique organization
• 02:24 — Reading and discussion of a Miscellany on Islam
• 03:28 — Final thoughts on the enduring impact and value of the set

Conclusion

In this concise yet content-rich episode, Stephen Nichols opens a doorway to the legacy of Jonathan Edwards through his monumental two-volume works, providing both historical context and personal reflection. Listeners are left with a sense of awe at the scope of Edwards's thought and an encouragement to engage deeply with the theological riches preserved in these pages.