Edwards, Jonathan (1703-1758)
Place of Birth: East Windsor, Connecticut
Description: Preacher, philosopher-theologian of colonial New England; Calvinistic preacher whose sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” had a powerful influence
Notable Family Members: Maternal grandfather was Congregational pastor in Northfield, Massachusetts, for 57 years
Education: Studied Latin at six years of age with father and six sisters; by age 13 knew Latin, Greek, and Hebrew and entered Yale College, graduating with highest honors before age 17 (1720); conversion same year
Occupations and Christian Work: A preacher by age 19; his church a part of the Great Awakening (1734-1744); a tutor at Yale for two years; Congregationalist pastor in Stockbridge, Massachusetts (from 1751), and missionary to Housatonic Indians; president of Princeton College, New Jersey
Notable Acquaintance: Friend of George Whitefield
Beliefs and Teachings: Against admitting unconverted to the Lord's Table and to church membership, which caused him to be ejected from the pastorate; his book, Freedom of the Will, defended foreordination, original sin, eternal punishment; sought to cast himself “on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in Him, and consecrate myself wholly to Him”
Writings: Freedom of the Will
Cause of Death: Smallpox inoculation
