A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections

How do we discern between true religion, and false? In this classic treatise on the nature of authentic faith, enormously influential American preacher and theologian JONATHAN EDWARDS (1703-1758) explores the difference between true and counterfeit religious experiences, and how deep and sincere emotion can accentuate a real connection to God. This profound 1746 text examines both the genuine signs of an instance of God's interaction with the faithful-such as the potential "beautiful symmetry and proportion" of a revelation-as well as "signs" that offer no evidence: the "appearance of love" in a possible communication with God, for instance, is not enough to cement its divinity. Passionate and contentious, this exploration of the place of emotion in religious experience continues to confound and enlighten seekers of spiritual succor centuries after it was written.