is often used as if it is a concept that should be dismissed in favor of one’s own personal opinions. Understood. That being understood, I offer Jonathan Edwards’ Biblically based reasoning on the matter. (Just in case one single soul might be interested.)


The quote, "True religion, in great part, consists in holy affections," is from Jonathan Edwards' treatise Religious Affections, meaning that genuine religious experience is rooted in the heart's vigorous and sensible feelings towards God, not just intellectual belief. Edwards distinguished between shallow emotionalism and "holy affections," which are the soul's inclination and will, expressing love, joy, and other feelings toward divine objects. He argued that true religion is marked by these heart-felt dispositions that lead to transformed lives and actions that align with Christian virtues.