Jonathan Edwards

Sinners at the Hands of an Angry God

Excerpt: In this verse is threatened the vengeance of God on the wicked unbelieving Israelites,that were God’s visible people, and lived under means of grace; and that, not with standing all God’s wonderful works that he had wrought towards that people, yet remained, as is expressed, v. 28, void of counsel, having no understanding in them; and that, under all the cultivations of heaven, brought forth bitter and poisonous fruit; as in the two verses next preceding the text.The expression that I have chosen for my text, “Their foot shall slide in due time,” seems to imply the following things, relating to the punishment and destruction that these wicked Israelites were exposed to. 1) That they were always exposed to destruction, as one that stands or walks in slippery places is always exposed to fall. This is implied in the manner of their destruction’s coming upon them, being represented by their foot’s sliding. The same is expressed, Ps. 73:18, “Surely thou didst set them in slippery places; thou castedst them down into destruction.” 2) It implies that they were always exposed to sudden unexpected destruction. As he that walks in slippery places is every moment liable to fall; he can’t foresee one moment whether he shall stand or fall the next; and when he does fall, he falls at once, without warning. Which is also expressed in that, Ps. 73:18–19, “Surely thou didst set them in slippery places; thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation as in a moment?”


Reflection: In order to understand this sermon I did some background research and found out that "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" was one of the most famous sermons preached by Jonathan Edwards. Edwards sermon is frequently used is as an example of Puritan literature. After my research I came to the assumption that the Puritans were constantly reminded of the consequences of sinning. Jonathan Edwards mission was to convert and convince his congregation that they were sinners. Edwards uses persuasion to scare his listeners into believing and following his approach of salvation. He uses imagery to give his worshipers a mental picture of God “holding sinners above the fiery pits of Hell“ and puts fear in their hearts to believe him. Edwards is a prime example of forcing religion upon the immigrants. From reading this, I developed a stronger opinion that religion shouldn't be tormented, but instead explained. I believe that America was suppose to be built upon the freedom of religion. From reading Edwards sermons I feel as if he was trying trying to make it be based on solely his beliefs.


Dear Diary,

When coming to America I felt hope in having religious freedom. Among my arrival I soon realized that this place we call America wasn't all it was set out to be. America had a label that claimed that its citizens could believe in any religion that they desired, but I felt that they wanted to establish America as a Christian society. Pastors such as Jonathan Edwards pressured immigrants to become Christians. They established fear into our hearts, and forced us to believe in his method of salvation. Even though it was allowed to believe in other religions it was look down upon, since the majority of American's were Christians. This sermon helped me enforce my opinions on religious Liberation in early America.

http://www.piney.com/JonEdwSinHands.html