The speckled bird: Nathanael Emmons, consistent Calvinism, and the legacy of Jonathan Edwards

Rather than modeling a declension from the theology and ministry of Jonathan Edwards, this dissertation will demonstrate that Nathanael Emmons's theological development upon Edwards resulted in a lifetime of ministerial activity, as seen in the work of theological education, missions, and moral reformation. Furthermore, such ecclesial activity reflected the ministerial paradigm set by the Edwards. Even though Emmons arrived at different theological conclusions from Edwards at times, he nonetheless constructed his theology upon doctrinal pillars established by the Northampton pastor, thus following in Edwards's own penchant for theological ingenuity. In so doing, Nathanael Emmons expounded a version of Calvinism that was a consequence of Edwards's robust ministry, not a decline from it.;Chapter one serves as the introduction to the dissertation, providing the context for the thesis, the pertinent historiography surrounding Emmons and his relationship to Edwards, and the proposed method of study. Followed by this is chapter two, which describes and assesses Emmons's conversion experience, not only to Christianity, but to Consistent Calvinism.;Chapter three surveys the process by which Emmons came to be the pastor of the church at Franklin, Massachusetts, and how his ministerial vision related to that of Edwards. Chapter four then, considers Emmons's role in theological education as a leader of the school of the prophets, and how he trained nearly one hundred Consistent Calvinists to serve throughout the new republic.;Chapter five focuses on Emmons's doctrine of disinterested benevolence, and how it served as a catalyst for his pioneering role in establishing the Massachusetts Missionary Society and the Franklin Society for the Reformation of Morals. Followed by this, in chapter six we consider the most unique aspect of Emmons's theology, his "Exercise Scheme," where he attempts to reconcile God's sovereignty with man's responsibility. Additionally, this chapter will consider how Emmons's theological eccentricity relates to Edwards's theological legacy. Finally, this dissertation concludes with chapter seven, which serves as a summary of the entire work's argument.