[Joey]

Hey, i am writing an essay on "The Great Awakening" and i have found alot of information, but when i searched for Jon Edwards all i found was that he grew up with a father and grandfather both being ministers, he went to yale at 12-13 years old, and that he was a great preecher, mostly how he had his conversion experience during his studies at yale, but i couldnt find anything on what kind of religion this was all based on, can some one please tell me what religion he was, and what religion he created? or started?

Thanks, Joe

[Mrs Faithorn]

When I first saw your heading I thought you were asking about the Welsh Olympic athlete of the same name - he's a well known modern Christian in the UK (where this site is based).

The Jonathan Edwards you are asking about was a Christian too. ... but I am guessing that your question is really driving at something a bit deeper than that. Edwards - as part of 'The Great Awakening' - was influenced by the teachings and preaching of the English clergyman, George Whitefield. Whitefield was an 'Evangelical' Christian of the type that in the UK are known as 'Methodist' and he visited America on several occasions. Originally he was a friend of the Wesley brothers in England and one of the founders of Methodism, though he split from them over the doctrine of predestination.

What distinguishes these men - and their followers - from other Christians is that they were revivalists believing in the power of preaching to bring about conversion. Evangelicals look for a single experience to mark the starting point of the Christian life.

You can read a great deal more about all this here:
Whitefield
Evangelicalism
Edwards

I hope that helps?

[Joey]

Thank you oh so very much, that helps alot!!

[Mrs Faithorn]

Pleased to help, though I don't know why you found it difficult to find relevant info. All I did was Google for "Jonathan Edwards" (in quotation marks) and then follow a few links.