Twelve False and Twelve True Signs of Salvation by Jonathan Edwards

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The Religious Affections/Passions by Jonathan Edwards

“A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections” is a seminal work by Jonathan Edwards, published in 1746 during the Great Awakening. Written by this influential American theologian and pastor, the book addresses the widespread confusion about distinguishing genuine spiritual experiences from false ones, particularly amid the emotional fervor of revival movements.

Edwards argues that the truly spiritual consists largely in “holy affections/passions”—vigorous inclinations of the soul toward God—rather than mere intellectual assent or outward behaviors. He emphasizes that while emotions play a vital role in faith, not all religious passions are authentic; some must be discerned as gracious (arising from the Holy Spirit) versus natural or hypocritical (humanistic sentimentality).

Edwards believed the soul has two faculties:

the understanding(by which the soul perceives, speculates, discerns, views, judges things); and
the inclinationor will (by which the soul is inclined or disinclined, pleased or displeased, approves or rejects).

The affections or passions have to do with the second faculty. Affections/Passions, according to Edwards, are “the more vigorous and sensible exercises of the inclination and will of the soul” (96).

Edwards shows that the Bible makes true affections/passions an essential part of godliness: “They would deny that much of true religion lies in the affections, and maintain the contrary, must throw away what we have been wont to own for our Bible, and get some other rule, by which to judge of the nature of religion” (106).

But not all affections are created equal.

Some are to be rejected and put to death while others are to be approved and cultivated: “The right way, is not to reject all affections, nor to approve all; but to distinguish between affections, approving some, and rejecting others; separating between the wheat and the chaff, the gold and the dross, the previous and the vile” (121). His book is an attempt to help us do precisely that.

The treatise is divided into three main parts:

Part 1: The Nature of the Affections and Their Importance in Religion

Edwards draws from 1 Peter 1:8 to explain that the human soul has two faculties: understanding (perception and judgment) and inclination (will and affections). Affections are the “more vigorous and sensible exercises” of the latter, involving love, joy, fear, hope, and other emotions directed toward spiritual objects. He asserts that Scripture portrays true religion as deeply affective, making Affections/Passions essential to godliness. Without them, faith is incomplete, but they must be properly evaluated to separate the “wheat from the chaff.”

Part 2: Uncertain Signs of Gracious Affections/Passions (The 12 “No-Signs”)

Edwards lists twelve phenomena that may accompany religious experiences but do not conclusively prove the presence of true, effective grace and spiritual transformation of the Affections/Passions, as they can occur in both genuine believers and hypocrites/shallow ground:

The Affections/Passions are raised very high or intense.
They produce strong physical effects (e.g., trembling, fainting).
They lead to much, fervent talk about God.
They arise without human contrivance or effort.
They are accompanied by Scriptures coming to mind.
They include an appearance of love.
They involve multiple kinds of Affections/Passions together.
Joys and comforts follow convictions of sin in a specific order.
They prompt much time spent in religious duties.
They inspire verbal praise and glorification of God.
They create strong confidence in one’s spiritual state.
They impress and please true believers with their outward manifestations.

These “no-signs” warn against hasty judgments based on superficial or emotional indicators alone.

Part 3: Distinguishing Signs of Truly Gracious and Holy Affections/Passions (The 12 True Signs)

In the longest section, Edwards outlines twelve reliable marks of Affections/Passions produced by the Holy Spirit, which confirm authentic conversion and true religion:

They arise from spiritual, supernatural, divine influences on the heart.
They are grounded in the inherent excellence of divine things, not self-interest.
They spring from love for the moral beauty of divine things.
They result from a spiritually enlightened understanding of divine truths.
They include a deep conviction of the reality and certainty of divine things.
They are accompanied by evangelical humiliation (a sense of one’s own unworthiness).
They involve a fundamental change of nature.
They foster a Christ-like spirit of love, meekness, and mercy.
They soften the heart with Christian tenderness.
They exhibit beautiful symmetry and proportion in the soul.
They increase spiritual hunger and longing for God.
They manifest in consistent Christian practice and obedience.

Edwards concludes that the ultimate test of true Affections/Passions is their fruit in holy living, transforming the heart to reflect Christ’s character.

Overall, the book serves as a guide for self-examination, urging readers to pursue Affections/Passions rooted in God’s glory rather than fleeting enthusiasm. It remains a classic in Christian theology for its rigorous analysis of spiritual authenticity.