Reading in Signs of the Spirit: An Interpretation of Jonathan Edwards' Religious Affections by Sam Storm.
Study notes
- True spirituality consists of ...
- Love for Jesus
- Joy in Jesus (p. 40)
+ - Conclusion
- "True spirituality or true religion consists in great measure in _holy affections_."
- Questions re: "affection" (p. 41)
What does it mean?
How does it differ, if at all, from our word "emotion"?
Is it the same as the word "passion"?
Does Peter really believe true spirituality to consist in holy affections?
Are there other affections aside from love and joy that Scripture identifies as embodying the essence of authentic faith?
+ - Spiritual Affections (Ch. 2)
- + - Definition of "affection" as used here (p. 43)
- Not romantic feelings between a man and a woman
- "The more vigorous and sensible exercises of the inclination and will of the soul."
- + - God created the soul with two faculties
- Understanding ("mind")
- + - Inclination ("will" or "heart")
"That by which the soul goes beyond mere
perception or understanding and is in
some way either inclined toward or averse
to what it grasps."
"Not indifferent"
- "Either likes or dislikes"
- "Is pleased or displeased"
- "Approves or rejects"
Inclination vis a vis "those actions that are governed by it" = "will" or "heart"
- + - Observations
- Inclination approves or disapproves of what the mind perceives
- Varying degrees of both delight and disgust
- Perceptions can affect the body (p. 44)
"The word 'affections,' therefore, describes the more 'vigorous and sensible exercises' of this faculty of soul by which we are either greatly drawn to or driven from some reality as perceived by the understanding."
"Affections, then, are warm and fervid inclinations that reveal the fundamental orientation of the human heart."
[Personal notes:]
- + - Observations
- There is reality.
- There is perception.
- There are degrees of response.
- There is a fundamental orientation of the human heart that is revealed in the affections.
- The way I respond to the reality around me reveals the orientation of my heart.
- + - Questions
How comprehensive is my perception of reality?
Do I consider the reality of the things around me in this world in the context of the reality that God reveals in His word? Or do I leave God out?
What are the things that I respond to strongly? What do they reveal about my heart? [ongoing question to consider]
- Difference between mind and body
- Difference between "affections" and "passions"
- Difference between "affections" and "emotions" or "feelings"
