Religious Affections Essential

Are "affections" (what we would call "emotions" or "feelings" today) important in Christianity?

In 1746, Jonathan Edwards wrote an important and famous book, A Treatise Concerning the Religious Affections. He wanted to make one main point in this work: "true religion, in great part, consists in holy affections" (95). He defined "affections" as "the more vigorous and sensible exercises of the inclination and will of the soul" (96)—such as love, hatred, desire, delight, joy, grief, sorrow, hope, gratitude, compassion, fear, anger, zeal (97-99).

So, yes, if Edwards and, more importantly, the Bible are to be our guide, the affections are essential. Without them there is no true Christianity. Certain feelings and emotions are not optional or seen in only certain personality types. True Christianity consists, in great part, in holy affections.

—Jonathan Edwards, Religious Affections (ed. John E. Smith; vol. 2, Works; Yale University Press: New Haven, 1959), 95-96.