The Theological Aesthetics of Jonathan Edwards
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Date
2007Author
Louie, Kin Yip
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Abstract
This is a study of the theological aesthetics of Jonathan Edwards. Previous studies of
Edwards’ aesthetics tend to pass over doctrinal issues and address Edwards mostly
within a philosophical context. In this treatment, the aesthetics of Edwards is
examined within an explicitly theological framework.
The definitions of beauty offered by several Enlightenment philosophers known to
Edwards (Shaftesbury, Addison, Hutcheson) are explored. Edwards creatively
integrates from these writers the Neoplatonic tradition (the objective side) and
empirical tradition (the subjective side) in his conception of beauty.
Edwards uses the concepts of sensibility and beauty to construct his theocentric
worldview. In Edwards’ conception, the material world exists for the purpose of
serving as a giant metaphor for spiritual reality. Edwards adopts Lockean vocabulary
to distinguish between a rational understanding and a sensible perception of spiritual
reality. This sensible perception in the saints is the work of the Spirit according to his
own nature. The Holy Spirit is God’s own perception of his beauty. Thus the
perception of divine beauty by the saints is an extension of the inter-Trinitarian life
of God.
For Edwards, humility is the beauty of the human nature of Christ. This is a
creaturely beauty not available to the pre-incarnate Son. Conversely, immensity is
the unique and incommunicable glory of God. Both the Trinitarian beauty and
awesome beauty of the immensity of God will reach their climax in the
eschatological states of heaven and hell. Hell is especially a demonstration of the
awesome glory of God’s immensity.
Edwards’ aesthetics brings out the tension between the relatedness and the freedom
of God. Both belong to the beauty of God, yet they cannot be harmonized in a closed
system. Soon after Edwards’ death, the Reformed tradition in America quickly forgot
this insight into the sensual perception of God in its quest of systemic consistency.