Thursday, June 28, 2007

Signs of the Spirit

Sam Storms's new book, Signs of the Spirit: An Interpretation of Jonathan Edwards's Religious Affections, just crossed by desk. I've been eagerly anticipating its publication, and would highly recommend buying and reading it.

Here are the blurbs:
“Jonathan Edwards’ Religious Affections remains one of the most discerning works of spiritual psychology published in the last several centuries. Dr. Samuel Storms’ unpacking of this significant work reveals once again for a new generation why the old Puritan so much deserves the most careful study today.”

—Mark A. Noll, Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History, University of Notre Dame

“Storms’ repackaging of this spiritual classic meets a serious need. His essay on Edwards’ personal spirituality, introducing the “Personal Narrative,” is almost worth the price of the book. Then his running commentary, interspersed with direct selections from the Narrative, are exceedingly helpful.”

—Gerald R. McDermott, Professor of Religion, Roanoke College

“After nearly 300 years, these gems of Edwards continue to sparkle. Sam Storms has done a superb job interpreting them for twenty-first century followers of Jesus. His vivid paraphrases are easy to read and always edifying.”

—Douglas A. Sweeney, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“These texts of Jonathan Edwards have nourished the church for nearly three centuries. In Sam Storms’ capable hands they’ll now speak clearly, plainly, and powerfully to the church today and for generations to come. If you've ever wanted to tackle Edwards but have shied away, you no longer have an excuse.”

—Stephen J. Nichols, author of Heaven on Earth: Capturing Jonathan Edwards’s Vision of Living in Between

“In reading through this book, I feel like I am looking over Sam Storms’ shoulder, reading Edwards together with him. At times, he pauses to interpret Edwards for me, at other times, he places Edwards’ comments in their historical context. At all times, Sam’s love and respect for Edwards shines through clearly.”

—Glenn Kreider, Professor of Theological Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary