“We don’t have to abstract Edwards as ‘a man of his times’ or retreat to what we don’t know. We should instead critique him when he clearly gets things wrong. His lifelong commitment to race-based slavery is clearly one such instance.” - TGC
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NewMany Christians today have an
Many Christians today have an all or nothing opinion of past believers. When you read biographies of well-known believers they are either “they could do no wrong” or “they could no good.” Slavery is an incredible evil. Very few would disagree with that. But it doesn’t negate the entirety of a person’s life. It’s an unimaginable blind spot but I often wonder what blind spots we have.
I don’t read Edwards for an example. I read him to learn. There are many believers in history I would rather follow. We need discernment to know who that is.
NewTo reframe the question
To reframe the question: Should I read books by sinners?
Answer: Beats not reading. Which would be the only other alternative.
Josh Stilwell, associate pastor, Alathea Baptist Church, Des Moines, Iowa.
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