Most Christians probably haven’t heard a sermon like this one. Some congregations are probably pampered by the “God love you no matter what” sermons. The title alone “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” shows that God has had enough. This revival sermon was meant for the Puritans. It was meant for the restoration of the church itself to build a strong and prosperous relationship with God after a period of decline.
Johnathan Edwards definitely showed no fear in offending his listeners because he had no doubt in what he was saying. The Bible says that the truth cuts like a sword. “Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrew 4:11-12) It’s hard for many of us to hear the truth. I believe there were a lot of people sitting in that congregation with hardened hearts; they were probably offended to hear the truth.
His message is straight forward and his tone is easily identified. He preaches that we are all born in sin and need repentance and if you don’t turn away from sin, you will be cast into hell and live in eternal damnation. Edwards show no mercy for these people, he makes it clear that his misson is to put fear into the saints, and make them see that God is no joke. “There is no want of power in God to cast wicked men into hell at any moment. Men's hands cannot be strong when God rises up. The strongest have no power to resist him, nor can any deliver out of his hands. He is not only able to cast wicked men into hell, but he can most easily do it." (691) This indicates how powerful God is and why we should fear him.
Edwards ends the sermon with, "Therefore let everyone that is out of Christ, now awake and fly from the wrath to come." He indirectly gives a sense of hope to those currently out of Christ. I think he believed his imagery and message of his sermon would awaken the congregation. For instance, “uncovered men walk over the pit of hell on rotten covering, and there are innumerable plaves in the covering so weak that they will not bear their weight, and these places are not seen.” (693) This indicated that we shouldn’t take Christ lightly, because we are “playing with fire”. We will never know the day that Christ will come back for us, so it’s best if we are prepared now. Edwards underlying point, is that God has given people a chance to be delivered from their sins.
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Curtrina you have made some valid points about this sermon. I enjoyed this sermon only because it was so straightforward and was not beating around the bush and the congregation had to try and figure out what he was talking about. Usually the truth that is told by many is hard to swallow and this is no different. Edwards uses this tone to his benefit and grabs the attention of the people. I do believe that this sermon is to let the congregation know that God has had enough of their behavior but I also get the feeling that Edwards has also had enough of the behavior of the congregation; it seems as if he is trying to bring them back to God in a destructive way.
ReplyDeleteEdwards acknowledges the fact that we are all born to sin and we were born full of it. I think that Edwards pulls himself out of the situation and is like above everyone else, as if he is better than those he is preaching to. I like how you brought up the “playing with fire” line, because to me that sums everything up that Edwards was trying to say. God is like fire and even though he is peaceful he has a wrath like no other and the congregation best be aware of it.
I agree with you that Edwards tone is straight forward, but i think he gets it across in an interesting way. He definitly wants the congregation to change their ways, but he uses elaborate metaphors that paint a violent picture. Out of everything we have read from the Puritans so far, this felt the most alive to me. It had the most emotion. Edwards use of active verbs with negative connotations, might seem a little ridiculous now, but it was extremely effective back then. I even read a small note on the second time he read the sermon that said people were openly weeping and some went into convulsions.
ReplyDeleteah yes... a Christian Minister condemning those to Hell using the old testament. I find it odd sometimes when a christian minister uses the old testament, more so than the new one. The new testament is the story and future of Christ whereas the old one is everything up to christ. The new testament portrays a very loving god, and a compassionate one at that. Edward's rants seem to be pretty hell bound. I suppose he does tie it up back to christianity in the end, but he certainly is preaching to scare.
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