The Day Jonathan Edwards Got Fired
June 23, 2009
Fred Sanders reminds us that yesterday was the anniversary of the day in 1750 when Jonathan Edwards was voted out as pastor of the church in Northampton, Massachusetts.
The vote was 230 to dismiss him, 23 to keep him as pastor.
That’s 10-1 against him.
That’s after being the pastor at Northampton for 23 years.
I should add one point. Many people consider Jonathan Edwards the greatest theologian America has ever produced. His works are read and studied to this day around the world. Some of his greatest writing was done after he was voted out.
One writer said that his joy in God was so great that opposition and misunderstanding could not destroy his faith. That’s a fine legacy to leave behind.