Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

Definition

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God is a famous sermon delivered by preacher Jonathan Edwards in 1741, which emphasized the precarious state of humanity's relationship with God and the imminent danger of damnation. This sermon became a hallmark of the First Great Awakening, illustrating the intense emotional appeal and religious fervor that characterized this revival movement, while also contrasting sharply with Enlightenment ideals that emphasized reason and individualism over religious fear.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The sermon was delivered during a time of religious upheaval, with many colonists experiencing a renewed sense of spiritual urgency as they faced personal and societal challenges.
2. Edwards used vivid imagery and strong emotional language to convey the seriousness of sin and the wrath of God, aiming to provoke a deep spiritual awakening among his listeners.
3. Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God is often credited with helping to spark the First Great Awakening, which saw a surge in revival meetings and increased religious participation across the colonies.
4. The sermon reflects a tension between traditional Puritan beliefs and emerging Enlightenment thought, as it prioritizes fear-based motivation over rational discourse.
5. The impact of Edwards's sermon can still be felt today, as it exemplifies the use of emotional appeal in preaching and has influenced American evangelicalism.

Review Questions

• How did Jonathan Edwards’s use of imagery in Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God reflect the values of the First Great Awakening?
  • Jonathan Edwards's use of vivid imagery in Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God was designed to evoke strong emotional responses from his audience, which was a key characteristic of the First Great Awakening. By describing sinners as being held over the pit of hell by a thread, he aimed to instill a sense of urgency and fear regarding their spiritual state. This approach resonated with many who were seeking deeper religious experiences and highlighted the revival movement's focus on personal faith rather than mere ritual.
• Discuss how Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God contrasts with Enlightenment ideals.
  • Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God sharply contrasts with Enlightenment ideals by emphasizing fear and divine wrath rather than reason and rationality. While Enlightenment thinkers promoted individualism, scientific reasoning, and skepticism towards traditional authority, Edwards's sermon called for submission to God's will and recognition of humanity's sinful nature. This clash illustrates the broader cultural conflict between rising secular thought and traditional religious beliefs during this transformative period in American history.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God on American religious practices and beliefs.
  • The long-term effects of Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God on American religious practices include a lasting emphasis on emotional appeal within evangelical preaching and a culture that often prioritizes personal salvation experiences. Edwards's work helped to lay the foundation for future revivalist movements, influencing how religious leaders engage their congregations emotionally. Additionally, his focus on individual accountability before God contributed to a distinctly American strain of Protestantism that would continue to shape religious identity well into modern times.

Related terms

First Great Awakening: A significant religious revival movement in the American colonies during the early to mid-18th century that emphasized personal faith and emotional expression in worship.

Jonathan Edwards: An influential preacher and theologian during the First Great Awakening, known for his fire-and-brimstone sermons that called for a return to piety and heartfelt religious experience.

Enlightenment: An intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, science, and individualism over tradition and religious authority.