Jonathan Edwards’ Understanding of the Relationship between Heaven and the Christian Life

This paper challenges the prevailing view among scholars of Jonathan Edwards that his primary focus was on securing souls for the afterlife, with little regard for earthly matters. While Edwards indeed devoted significant attention to the contemplation of heaven, both as a theologian and a pastor, his work reveals a consistent emphasis on the interrelationship between the temporal and eternal realms. This study argues that, for Edwards, earthly life was not merely a transient phase but was intrinsically linked to one's eternal destiny. His sermons and theological writings consistently portray heaven in relation to life on earth, demonstrating his concern for both realms.
Two of Edwards’ sermons, “The Christian's Life as a Journey Towards Heaven” and “Heaven Is a World of Love,” serve as key examples of this connection. In these sermons, Edwards contends that heaven, as a realm characterized by holiness and love, demands that individuals cultivate these qualities in their earthly lives. He posits that living a holy life is a means of preparing for the holiness of heaven, and that a life marked by love is a preparation for the world of love that heaven represents.
Additionally, Edwards’ Miscellanies offer further evidence of his lifelong commitment to contemplating heaven, not as an abstract end, but as a source of inspiration for a virtuous life on earth. For Edwards, the aspiration for heaven naturally fosters a commitment to godliness in the present life.