Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), one of the towering figures in early American Puritanism, wrote a set of seventy resolutions when he was about nineteen years old (1722-1723).
These resolutions are spiritual vows, frameworks, or disciplines by which he sought to order his life so that every moment, every thought, word, and deed might be consecrated to God. They are remarkable not only for their ambitious scope, but also for the discipline underlying them: Edwards read them weekly for many years.
Below I’ll sketch the character of these resolutions, some key examples, how they reflect Scripture, and some reflections on their relevance (both opportunities and pitfalls).
The Preface: Dependency & Submission
Edwards begins with a humble preamble, “Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat Him by His grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to His will, for Christ’s sake.”
This acknowledges both human weakness and divine sovereignty. It locates the whole enterprise in grace. A parallel Scripture could be Philippians 2:13, “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
This speaks to the idea that human resolve must be grounded in God’s enablement.
Structure & Themes
While there are seventy resolutions, a number of broad themes emerge:
- Glory of God & Eternal Perspective
From the very first resolution, Edwards pledges to do “whatever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit, and pleasure, in the whole of my duration,” even “whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence.” - Use of Time, Purposefulness
Resolutions such as “never to lose one moment of time” and “to live with all my might, while I do live” reflect urgency and diligence. - Self-examination, Mortality, Eternity
Many resolutions are about thinking of death, examining one’s actions, repenting when dull, and aligning life with how one wishes to have lived in view of judgement or eternity. - Holiness, Mortification of Sin
Edwards vows to fight his corruptions, to avoid pride, envy, revenge, to deal immediately with temptations, to confess sins, etc. - Scripture, Prayer, Communion with God
He resolves to study the Scriptures “steadily, constantly and frequently” so as to grow in knowledge, to take prayer seriously (not letting “prayer” be merely ritual), to trust Christ, etc. - Relationships & Speech
There are many resolutions about how to speak, avoid evil speaking, maintain peace, humble oneself, etc.
Scriptural Correlations
Below are several key resolutions and how they resonate with Scripture.
| Resolution | Scriptural Affirmation |
| “Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.” | Ephesians 5:15-16: “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” |
| “Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.” | 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” |
| “Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it.” | Ephesians 4:29: “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” |
| “Resolved, to examine every night as I am going to bed wherein I have been negligent, what sin I have committed, and wherein I have denied myself; also at the end of every week, month and year.” | 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Also Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.” |
| “Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, … knowing that I confide in my Redeemer.” | Romans 8:38-39: “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life… nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Also Hebrews 4:16: “Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” |
These are just a few; many more could be drawn out. Edwards shows a pattern of aligning life practices with biblical truth.
Strengths & Challenges
Strengths
- Clarity & Holiness of Aim: Edwards’s resolutions aim very high, not for comfort or ease, but for holiness, for God’s glory, for eternal perspective. This kind of clarity can sharpen purpose.
- Holistic: The resolutions cover moral character, spiritual disciplines, relationships, reflections on mortality, duty, speech, etc.
- Discipline & Regular Review: By reading them weekly and examining himself night, week, month and year, Edwards built in continual self-reflection and correction.
- Grounding in God & Grace: Despite the ambitiousness, he does not begin with self-reliance; he acknowledges his need for God’s help and prays for grace. That is essential.
Challenges
- Risk of Legalism or Burnout: A list of seventy demands is daunting; the risk is that one might pursue them by sheer effort, neglecting the rest of God’s sufficient grace. Edwards himself later appreciated more deeply his weakness and dependence.
- Modern Application: Some resolutions are contexted in Edwards’s 18th-century Puritan frame. Adapting them to modern life must take into account different social, cultural, and ecclesial situations.
- Balance: It’s important that resolution-making not displace the gospel (resting in Christ, forgiveness, growth over time) or foster an unbalanced spiritual life (neglect of rest, community, joy).
Reflection: Why These Still Matter
Edwards’s resolutions can serve as mirrors for our own spiritual journeys. They call us to:
- Big vision: living for God’s glory, accounting for eternity.
- Smaller, daily faithfulness: attending to speech, truth, relationships, rest, time usage, confession.
- Regular self-examination, not for shame, but for sanctification.
- Rootedness in Scripture & prayer.
They also remind us that holiness is a process: incremental, disciplined, dependent on the Holy Spirit.
Closing Scripture & Invitation
To sum up, here are some Scriptures that capture the spirit of Edwards’s resolutions, which might serve as meditations for anyone inspired by these resolutions:
“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.”
Ephesians 5:15-16
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“Examine me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.”
Psalm 139:23-24
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