The Dutch and Jonathan Edwards

The reception of Jonathan Edwards’s writings in the Netherlands has been extensive and influential since the 18th century, with the Dutch being among the first to translate his works, doing so more than any other language at the time. Edwards’s appeal in the Dutch context was facilitated by the religious and intellectual networks connecting Dutch, German, Scottish, English, and American evangelicals. While the international community embraced Edwards’s ideas, the primary Dutch reception occurred in major cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht. Reception varied widely from positive to critical, with some correcting misunderstandings of Edwards’s orthodox Reformed views, while others remained skeptical or critical.