In 1722, 18-year old Jonathan Edwards began setting down 70 Resolutions, personal statements of intent, to which, by the grace of God, he resolved to hold himself accountable for the rest of his life, by reading them prayerfully once a week until his death in 1758. In these 70 short readings, John Gillespie examines each Resolution in the light of Scripture and encourages us to meditate on how we could apply Edwards' Resolutions to our own lives.

Below review  from a reader, April 2025

"Do you know those devotionals that feel like flimsy pamphlets—light on substance and quick to forget? This is not that book. Following Jesus in an Age of Quitters is packed with depth, challenge, and spiritual richness. It’s the kind of book that, the moment you finish, you’re already thinking about reading it again. And coming from someone who rarely re-reads anything besides the Bible, that says a lot.

Every minute I spent with this book was deeply edifying. Gillespie is soaked in Scripture, but his writing doesn’t feel narrow or cloistered. He draws from a wide range of voices—believers and even non-believers—who lived with purpose and intentionality, illustrating the broad relevance of Jonathan Edwards’ resolutions.

I’ve always admired Edwards’ resolutions, and this book unpacks them in a way that is both beautiful and deeply practical. It’s not written just for pastors or theologians—anyone seeking to follow Jesus with intention will find it accessible and challenging. The resolutions are surprisingly down-to-earth, especially considering they were written by such a young man.

Another highlight: the book is full of references—quotes, authors, and titles—so if you’re a fellow book-lover always looking for your next spiritually nourishing read, you’ll find plenty of recommendations here.

I listened to it slowly on Audible, savoring every chapter, and now I’m planning to buy the physical copy so I can return to it regularly. My plan is to take one resolution each week, reflect on it, and put it into practice. This isn’t a book to rush through—it’s one to live with.

It could definitely work in a group setting, but the real benefit comes when you take the time to sit with it and let it stir your heart. Sure, you might not agree with every single point, but this book isn’t aiming to win theological debates. It’s about character—real, Christ-like character in an age where quitting is easier than commitment.

Five stars? I’d give it more if I could."