I generally don’t like to disagree with Jonathan Edwards.
He’s been called the greatest American theologian. He had an incredibly sharp mind, a passion for God that far exceeds my current passion for God, freakish amounts of discipline, and the inner drive of a CEO. In many ways I would like to be Jonathan Edwards.
But from time to time I read things written by him that give me pause. For example, in his resolutions he wrote:
Resolution #60: Resolved, Whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination.
I don’t find this resolution to be particularly helpful. My nature and personality are geared towards introspection. I’m always keenly aware of what I’m feeling at any given moment and I tend to think about things way too much. If get angry, or irritable, or anxious, or impatient, I usually know it pretty quickly, and by God’s grace I usually repent quickly. However, many times after I repent I still feel…well bad. I feel like I need to repent again, or do something else to make myself feel better.
And there are many times when my feelings are out of order for no apparent reason. Maybe I’m tired or just came out of a particularly stressful meeting. Many times I don’t know why I’m feeling bad.
It’s in these moments that resolution number sixty is unhelpful for me. If I’m feeling bad I often immediately attribute a spiritual cause to it. I start to think that maybe there’s a sinful motive I’m not repenting from, or maybe there’s a sin that I’m committing but not aware of. I then start to sink into this awful swirl of introspection that doesn’t lead me anywhere and only results in me feeling condemned.
It feels like there must be a sin somewhere, if I can just find it.
Most of you probably never experience this and think that I’m a mental nutcase who needs to spend more time in the sunlight. And you’re probably right. But I know that some of you can relate to me.
In those moments of sick introspection, I need to do two things. First, I need to stop looking at myself. The more I look around in the damp and dusty rooms of my heart, the more confused and discouraged I’ll be.
Second, I need to fix my attention on God. I need to trust that God will convict me of sin. I can’t create conviction of sin, and apart from the Holy Spirit, I can’t see me sin accurately. God isn’t trying to hide my sin from me. No, God is for me and for my sanctification. He wants to help me grow.
For many people the resolutions of Edwards are helpful, but for an introspective person like me, Edwards isn’t always the best. Most of my time needs to be spent looking outward at Jesus, not inward at me.
Question: Am I off in disagreeing with Edwards here?
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Stephen,
I wonder if Edwards might have had Psalm 42:11 in mind?
"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."
This seems to agree with your encouragement to move from looking inward to looking upward.
Good post!
Dave
You know Dave I'm not sure. It seems like Edwards was very driven toward introspection, even too much at times. I think he was heavily influenced by the Puritans, who placed such a heavy emphasis on introspection.
Great post! I have a tendency to over examine as well. While there is a time and place for that kind of introspection, I have learned that there is also a time and a place to set aside the self-examination and just do what the author of Hebrews said to do: Consider Jesus! And, thank God for the finished work of Christ on Calvary!
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” (Hebrews 12:2-4)
Blessings to you!
You're absolutely right Christina, and I think there should be much more time spent considering Jesus than considering myself.
Frankly, I agree with your post 100%. I have read this resolution of Edwards quoted by Christian authors who go on to infer that any perceived pain must be an indication of sin within. That kind of thinking has always been the direct route to introspection to an unhelpful degree for me. Condemnation usually follows close behind. Scripture says that God promises us that in this life we will have trouble, but that He will use that trouble to sanctify us.
Yep I can relate to that Kathy. I go down the introspective route very easily.
Thank you so much for this post. I'm in your boat 100%
You're welcome!
I agree as well. I am sure that Edwards' methods were soundly applied, and he may have meant something different from what we typically think of as introspection. I've also tended to be over-attentive to my feelings, which has never done me any good. You described what it's like very well!
Maybe Edwards did mean something different, but I'm not so sure. I think his thinking was heavily influenced by the Puritans, who were intensely introspective.
Perhaps you disagree with your understanding of resolution 60 in isolation of the wider context of the resolutions. Edwards must be given the benefit of the doubt, especially since resolution 60 is best understood within the context of the previous 59 and following 10, especially numbers 1 and 4. Introspection that leads us to the cross of Christ is healthy and tends to the glory of God. Introspection that remains on the self falls short of the glory of God, does not help us serve others, and does not increase our happiness in Christ. I must confess, however, that in practice I have disagreed with all of the resolutions. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
I hear what you're saying John, and I totally agree that introspection should lead us to the cross. Perhaps I have misunderstood Edward's resolution out of context, but I'm not so sure. He was highly introspective, and the fact that he penned this particular resolution on two separate occasions makes me think that this was particularly important to him.
He was probably able to be introspective in a healthy, but I'm not usually able to do that.
Isn't that the point of the last half of Romans 7 into chapter 8? The Apostle describes in this passage someone who is led to the only conclusion of introspection: "O wretched man that I am!" But fortunately, he also gives the solution in looking to Christ in the following verses. I'm with you on this one Stephen!
I find that our emotions are a gift of God that function as an indicator of our belief. Those negative emotions are like a big red flag that indicate that we have our hope in the wrong thing, or that we are believing a lie somewhere. I tend to agree with Jonathan Edwards . . . I need to discern what lie I am believing in order to experience God's beautiful gospel dispelling it and satisfying my soul afresh.
Hi Stephen, I tend to agree with you. Analysis of self regarding Christian faith is biblical and mandated (II Cor. 3:15), but, I believe, "introspection" is too tempting toward self-pity and condemnation (Rom. 8:1) which leads to that whole reverse spectrum of pride: "I'm so wretched, worthless, good-for-nothing, yada, yada yada." Just another way the depraved heart turns things about me, me, me–it's all about me instead of looking up–Col. 3:1-2 stuff–it's all about Him.
I think you're right on, Stephen. When you're feeling that downward spiral–don't look in… quickly repent, and look up!
(BTW–it feels much better to be writing, "I agree with Stephen. " than "I disagree with Edwards."
)
I can identify with this so much! We do need to examine our hearts but we have to look through the lens of God's grace and not become focused on ourselves and our depravity. I like what you said that "God is for me and for my sanctification". When I become too introspective I act as if I have to do this on my own, that I have to fix myself. All I really have to do is look up and allow the Holy Spirit to work in me.
Thanks for the post and the reminder.
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