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When I first saw the title of this book I thought for a moment that my wife
had written a book about me without my knowing it! Seriously, this book is of
great value to anyone who desires a deeper knowledge and understanding of one of
God’s choicest servants in American and Christian history, Jonathan Edwards. It
is also a treasure chest for those seeking to know his bride, Sarah Edwards, in
a better way.
In a real sense Jonathan Edwards is both a hero and a role model for me.
During Christian history classes in seminary, I would almost always ask about
the marriage and family life of the particular person we were studying. It is
sad to say that often the theology was strong, the influence on the world was
great, but the impact upon the marriage and family life was weak, hurtful and
filled with pain. I was deeply seeking a Christian role model that the Lord used
mightily for His glory and the good of His kingdom that actually had a sweet,
thriving and joyous family life. I found a hero and role model in Jonathan
Edwards. In reading Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography, Jonathan and
Sarah- An Uncommon Union, Jonathan Edwards: A Guided Tour of His Life and
Thoughts as well as the writings of Edwards himself, I found him very deep
(often times so deep it is hard to comprehend all he is writing) as a
Christ-loving pastor/theologian and just as deep as wife and family-loving
husband.
I eagerly read Elisabeth Dodds’ book Marriage to a Difficult Man and
was not disappointed. She wove together the details of the Edwards’ life along
with helpful information about their day-to-day actions, which caused me to grow
in my esteem and respect for both Jonathan and Sarah. I do, however, disagree
with some of her conclusions about both Edwards and his bride. One example is
that Dobbs believes that Sarah had an emotional breakdown. Many others see this
as a time of “sweet consciousness that God was present with me” in the midst of
trial and hard circumstances. Despite this, the material in this book will truly
shed more light on a family God has used greatly both in their lives on earth
and through their powerful legacy of writing and example.
The title actually fits because being married to someone so brilliant, so
godly, so disciplined and so used of God is not an easy marriage. Deeply
satisfying yes, but easy no. As Dobbs observes,
“A genius is seldom an easy husband. When a great man is one who never looks
at another woman, he is in some ways more taxing than a roving titan… all of
Edwards’ heights and depths were brought to his wife. The object of such
concentrated attention probably reached peaks of illumination few women do, but
she also must have been singularly drained.” (pg. 30)
If you see Jonathan Edwards as a godly example to you or even a hero, then
you will have much to gain from the reading of this book. If you are not
acquainted with Edwards, his family, and the impact they made and are still
making today, this is an excellent book with which to start. Even with some
disagreements on Dobbs’ conclusions, I highly recommend the book.
- Dean Conkel, Youth and Family Ministries
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