When one hears the name, Jonathan Edwards, the first thought to come to mind is often that of a, "harsh dogmatist who terrified his listeners with his fire-and-brimstone sermons" (Dematteis). Edwards however, was and still is regarded by his peers and critics for being, "America's first great philosopher" (Hatch 143) and, "a significant intellectual"(Dematteis). Edward's became highly regarded through his many sermons and treatises that were shaped by his childhood, education and the time in which he lived. It is because of these same sermons and treatises though, that he also became disregarded and despised by many.
Jonathan Edwards" childhood, education, and family had a profound impact on his life ergo his work and way of thinking. He was born on October 5, 1703 in East Windsor, Connecticut amidst the great Puritan era, the son, grandson, and great-grandson of Protestant ministers (Levin xix). His father, Reverend Timothy Edwards, took upon him the job educating his son, focusing primarily on religion, specifically, "the idea of evangelical theology" (Hatch 143)(Griffin). At the age of 13 Edwards entered the Collegiate School, later named Yale, in New Haven where his father's teachings and lessons were only reassured (unknown). After graduating in 1720 he stayed on for 2 years to study theology, during which, "he experienced an intensely emotional religious conversion, which determined the course of his life and career" (unknown), most notable were his new beliefs modeling John Locke's (Dematteis). In 1726 Edwards was called to join his grandfather, Solomon Studdard, as a pastor of the congregation at Northampton, Massachusetts, the largest and most influential church outside of Boston (Levin xix - xx). It was here he would begin giving his most influential sermons that he is most famous for. Due in part to his and education by his father and at the Collegiate School, and his childhood experiences Edwards would come to write some of the most powerful and profound philosophical sermons in America.
