''A Dissertation Concerning the Nature of True Virtue'' is a work by American Christian
reformer,
theologian
Theology is the systematic study of the nature of the divine and, more broadly, of religious belief. It is taught as an academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. It occupies itself with the unique content of analyzing the ...
,
author
An author is the writer of a book, article, play, mostly written work. A broader definition of the word "author" states:
"''An author is "the person who originated or gave existence to anything" and whose authorship determines responsibility f ...
and,
pastor
A pastor (abbreviated as "Pr" or "Ptr" , or "Ps" ) is the leader of a Christian congregation who also gives advice and counsel to people from the community or congregation. In Lutheranism, Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy and ...
Jonathan Edwards originally published posthumously in 1765.
The work was published jointly with ''
A Dissertation Concerning the End for Which God Created the World''.
Synopsis
In ''Virtue'', Edwards describes his views on the different levels of
virtue
Virtue ( la, virtus) is moral excellence. A virtue is a trait or quality that is deemed to be morally good and thus is valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being. In other words, it is a behavior that shows high moral standard ...
, specifically "common
morality
Morality () is the differentiation of intentions, decisions and actions between those that are distinguished as proper (right) and those that are improper (wrong). Morality can be a body of standards or principles derived from a code of cond ...
" and "true (saving) virtue."
God
In monotheism, monotheistic thought, God is usually viewed as the supreme being, creator deity, creator, and principal object of Faith#Religious views, faith.Richard Swinburne, Swinburne, R.G. "God" in Ted Honderich, Honderich, Ted. (ed)''The Ox ...
, Edwards argues, had in mind as the end for his creation of the world His own
glory and not human happiness. Thus, true virtue does not arise from self-love or from any earth-bound selflessness (these were two common views at the time) but from a desire to see God's glory displayed above all. Love of self, family, or nation is good only to the extent that it magnifies the glory of God.
History and impact
''The Nature of True Virtue'', and its companion work, ''A Dissertation Concerning the End for Which God Created the World'', are still popular works today. Modern
theologian
Theology is the systematic study of the nature of the divine and, more broadly, of religious belief. It is taught as an academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. It occupies itself with the unique content of analyzing the ...
John Piper, who extensively studied the works of Edwards while at
seminary
A seminary, school of theology, theological seminary, or divinity school is an educational institution for educating students (sometimes called ''seminarians'') in scripture, theology, generally to prepare them for ordination to serve as clergy, ...
, credits the work with awakening in him "a deep longing to be a good man."
See also
* ''
The Freedom of the Will
''An Inquiry into the Modern Prevailing Notions of the Freedom of the Will which is Supposed to be Essential to Moral Agency, Virtue and Vice, Reward and Punishment, Praise and Blame'' or simply ''The Freedom of the Will'', is a work by Christian ...
''
* ''
Religious Affections
''A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections'' is a publication written in 1746 by Jonathan Edwards describing his philosophy about the process of Christian conversion in Northampton, Massachusetts, during the First Great Awakening, which emanate ...
''
References
External links
Complete text of The Nature of True Virtue"The Nature of True Virtue", lightly edited for easier reading*
1765 non-fiction books
18th-century Christian texts
Calvinist texts
Christian theology books
Books published posthumously
Works by Jonathan Edwards (theologian)
{{Calvinism-stub