The Nature of True Virtue

A Dissertation Concerning the Nature of True Virtue is a work by American Christian reformer, theologian, author and, pastor Jonathan Edwards originally published posthumously in 1765.^[1] The work was published jointly with A Dissertation Concerning the End for Which God Created the World.^[2]

Synopsis

Part of a series on
Calvinism
John Calvin
Background Christianity St. Augustine The Reformation Five Solas Synod of Dort
Theology Theology of John Calvin Covenant theology Lord's Supper Regulative principle Predestination in Calvinism
Documents Institutes of the Christian Religion Geneva Bible Three Forms of Unity Westminster Standards Canons of Dort Second Helvetic Confession Heidelberg Catechism Belgic Confession La Rochelle Confession Savoy Declaration 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith First Helvetic Confession Scots Confession
Influences Huldrych Zwingli Martin Bucer Peter Martyr Vermigli William Farel Heinrich Bullinger John Calvin John Knox Theodore Beza Francis Turretin Jonathan Edwards Charles Hodge
Churches Continental Reformed Presbyterian Congregationalist Reformed Baptist Anglican
Peoples Afrikaners Huguenots Pilgrims Puritans other English dissenters
Largest groups World Communion of Reformed Churches World Reformed Fellowship International Conference of Reformed Churches North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council Presbyterianism in South Korea List of Reformed denominations
Calvinism portal

In Virtue, Edwards describes his views on the different levels of virtue, specifically "common morality" and "true (saving) virtue."^[1] God, 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.^[2]

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 John Piper, who extensively studied the works of Edwards while at Seminary, credits the work with awakening in him "a deep longing to be a good man."^[3]

Notes

External links

• Complete text of The Nature of True Virtue
• "The Nature of True Virtue", lightly edited for easier reading
• the Nature of True Virtue public domain audiobook at LibriVox

See also

• Religious Affections
• The Freedom of the Will