One more thought from the life and ministry of Jonathan Edwards. Piper states that Edwards probed the workings of the human heart and gained a profound understanding of it. He did not achieve this by “hobnobbing with the Northampton parishioners,” but by three things:

1. Diligent reading and contemplation of his own heart. Perhaps this was typical Puritan introspection, but he knew that his own heart was the one human heart he could inspect most closely. He sought out all the “subtle subterfuges” of his heart, appetites and thoughts.

2. The necessary sorting of the wheat and chaff in the religious experiences of his people. While it may be tempting for us to bemoan the lack of a great awakening in our day, perhaps we would do well to give serious thought to the experience of religion among our people anyway. In Edwards’ time there was both the genuinely Spiritual and deeply discouraging self-deception. Perhaps if we look we will see the same today, and in doing so we might get a fuller understanding of the workings of human hearts and affections.

3. Passionate pursuit of the teaching of God’s Word. This is not last in importance, but last for emphasis. To be a genuine “surgeon of souls” like Edwards, we must pursue years of serious study in God’s Word. The heart and affections of humanity, and their primary role in spirituality are foundational aspects of biblical teaching. With our eyes open we will discover that the heart is one of the most neglected, overlooked and yet prevalent teachings in the canon.

As preachers we are often more aware of our inadequacies than any sense of expertise. Yet with all the aspects of ministry clamoring for our focus, perhaps we should give thought to striving for greater understanding, perhaps even expertise, in the workings of the human heart. If we don’t, who will?