Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God (1741)

Author Background

  • Author: Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758)

  • Role: A Congregational minister in New England.

  • Education: Influenced by Enlightenment thought and Calvinist theology of the earlier Puritan church.

Main Beliefs of Edwards

  • Criticism of Society: Edwards believed that people had fallen away from their demanding faith which focused heavily on God's grace, crucial for salvation.

  • Revival Movement:

    • Edwards initiated a revival in Northampton, Massachusetts, during the 1730s.

    • Part of a broader movement known as the Great Awakening.

  • Vision of God: He aimed to evoke a strong emotional response about the majesty of God through both positive and negative imagery.

Central Theme of the Sermon

Powerful Imagery of God's Wrath

  • Metaphor of Sinners: Edwards compares sinners to a spider or a loathsome insect dangling over fire.

    • Quote: "The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked."

  • Nature of God's Wrath:

    • God sees sinners as infinitely offensive, more so than a rebel against a prince.

    • The only thing preventing sinners from falling into hell at any moment is God's grace.

  • Consequences of Sin:

    • Edwards emphasizes the precarious nature of a sinner's existence, hanging by a thread above the flames of divine wrath.

    • Quote: "You hang by a slender thread, with the flames of Divine wrath flashing about it, and ready every moment to singe it and burn it asunder."

Eternal Punishment and Despair

  • Nature of Hell:

    • The duration of suffering in hell is presented as infinite, with no escape or relief.

    • Consequences: Sinners will endure eternal misery, feeling despair and helplessness.

    • Quote: "There will be no end to this exquisite, horrible misery."

    • Understanding Time: The vast duration of suffering will astound the soul, even after millions of ages, suffering continues infinitely.

Reflection on Congregation

  • Call to Action: Edwards implores listeners to consider their spiritual condition.

    • Quote: "Oh! that you would consider it, whether you be young or old!"

  • Warning to Those in Attendance:

    • There likely are individuals in the congregation who are at risk of eternal suffering.

    • Imagined Scenarios: If one soul were to face this punishment, the congregation would be horrified. Yet, the reality might be that many will face this fate.

  • Urgency of Repentance:

    • Edwards warns that some present could be in hell before the year ends, intensifying the urgency for soul-searching and repentance.

Ethical and Philosophical Implications

  • Fear of Divine Judgment: The sermon seeks to instill a fear of God’s judgment as a means to provoke a turn towards faith.

  • The Nature of Grace and Mercy: The overarching theme highlights the reliance on God's grace as the only barrier between the sinner and eternal damnation.

Jonathan Edwards' Journals

Sarah Pierrepont

  • First Journal Entry: Edwards writes at age twenty about thirteen-year-old Sarah Pierrepont, seeing her as an embodiment of spiritual strength.

    • Qualities of Sarah:

    • Beloved by God, experiencing divine visitation.

    • Supposes a life filled with joy and a deep connection with God, prioritizing spiritual matters over worldly ones.

    • Characteristics Noted:

      • Singular purity and conscientious behavior.

      • Utter disregard for earthly treasures due to her spiritual focus.

      • Joyful demeanor, often singing and enjoying solitude in nature.

Sense of Divine Things

  • Spiritual Experience Journaling: Edwards describes a vision during a walk, experiencing God's glory.

    • Quote: "I seemed to see them both in a sweet conjunction; majesty and meekness joined together."

  • Nature of Perception:

    • Observations of nature evoked feelings of divine glory, transforming his view of everyday phenomena (e.g., clouds, stars, plants).

  • Transformation in Experience of Thunder:

    • Transition from fear to a sense of divine presence during thunderstorms.

    • Used thunder and lightning as opportunities for contemplation and joy, appreciating the majesty of God in these natural occurrences.

Conclusion

  • The works of Jonathan Edwards highlight a deep intertwining between personal spiritual experience, philosophical contemplation about sin and salvation, and a repulsion towards the moral laxity of society.

An English teacher would likely focus on the rhetorical strategies, Edwards' use of imagery, and the historical context of the Great Awakening. Based on your notes, here are some common questions you might encounter:

  1. Rhetorical Analysis of Imagery: "How does Edwards use the metaphor of the 'spider or some loathsome insect' to convey his message about the relationship between humans and God?"

  2. Thematic Contrast: "Contrast the portrayal of God's wrath in the sermon with the 'majesty and meekness' Edwards observes in nature within his journals. How do these two perspectives reflect his overall theology?"

  3. Tone and Purpose: "What is the primary tone of the sermon, and how does Edwards transition from describing hell to a 'Call to Action' for his congregation?"

  4. Historical Context: "In what ways does this sermon reflect the ideals of the Great Awakening and the Puritan belief in the necessity of God's grace for salvation?"

  5. Analysis of Narrative Style: "Referring to the journals, how does Edwards characterize Sarah Pierrepont as an ideal of spiritual purity, and what does this reveal about his values?"

  6. Diction and Impact: "Analyze the impact of words like 'abhors,' 'provoked,' and 'asunder' in creating a sense of urgency for the listener."