4. Seeds of Social Concern

[Rob Boss]

Where in Edwards’s own writings do you see the seeds of social concern and activism that Hopkins later ran with?

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[Joseph Lee]

As mentioned in the previous response, Edwards’s moral or ethical theology, which provides the social activist foundation for his virtue theory, is found primarily in his sermons and in various Miscellany entries. For example, in the sermon series Charity and Its Fruits, Edwards discusses the outworking of Christian benevolence, which involves neighborly interest, works of justice, seeking the benefit of others, serving those in pain, providing for the poor, etc. Another example is the sermon Bringing the Ark of Zion and the need to help those who are oppressed. A good example of a Miscellany entry is no. 530, where Edwards discusses the expression of selfless love as receiving and uniting oneself to others.