True Religion and True Affections

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Textual Study: True Religion And True Affections Topics of Religion and Affections are deeply connected for Jonathan Edwards who writes, “The Author of the human nature has not only given affections to men, but has made them very much the spring of men’s actions...And as true religion is of practical nature, and God has so constituted the human nature, that the affections are very much the spring of men’s actions, this also shows, that true religion must consist very much in the affections” (Kerr, p. 199). This is the central theme of Edwards article. True religion is of a practical nature! This is a great line that explains the intent of Jesus to create the church here on earth. Affections are part of human nature and Edwards believed that increasing our awareness about the importance of right affections increases human’s ability to practice religion. Edwards writes, “We see the world of mankind to be exceedingly busy and active; and the affections of men are the springs of the motion: take away all love and hatred, all hope and fear, all anger, zeal and affectionate desire, and the world would be, in a great measure, motionless and dead” (Kerr, p. 200). There are some many different things, different affections that can occupy person’s mind and leave no room for spiritual affections. Edwards goes even further by explaining that even if you have knowledge of religion and doctrines without affection “never is engaged in the business of religion” (Kerr, p. 200). It is important in Edward’s understanding that affections are learned by the individual and he/she must distinguish between the most important and less important affections. When religion, spiritual information, and the Word of God does not produce any affection in persons character then all the knowledge become useless. Of course it is important to understand that God wants people to be balanced
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