Jonathan Edwards ( )
Jonathan Edwards Born October 5, 1703, in East Windsor, Connecticut. The fifth of eleven children born to the Rev. Timothy and Esther Edwards Puritan evangelical household Father was Congregationalist minister Grandfather was influential minister and author Childhood education study of the Bible and Christian theology classics and ancient languages
Jonathan Edwards During his undergraduate years ( ) and graduate studies ( ) at Yale College, he engaged all manner of contemporary issues in theology and philosophy. 1722: accepted a job as pastor of a Presbyterian church in NYC
Jonathan Edwards 1729: Became pastor of the Northampton Congregationalist church where his grandfather had served Married Sarah Pierrepont, daughter of a New Haven minister
Jonathan Edwards In 1734, he preached a series of corrective sermons emphasizing the Calvinist tenet of the passivity of the convert before God’s all-powerful offer of grace. Brought about a number of conversions in the Northampton congregation. Was asked to prepare an authoritative account of the “Awakening”. Published in pamphlet form, had wide circulation, spreading his fame among Protestants on both sides of the Atlantic.
The Great Awakening Religious revival that spread throughout the colonies in the late 1700’s. Variation of the strict Puritan belief of salvation of the elect. Provided salvation to all who would believe and obey.
Jonathan Edwards Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God was preached to the congregation of Enfield, Massachusetts (later Connecticut) in July represents in many persons’ minds the bleak, cruel, and hell-bent outlook of Edwards and his Puritan predecessors
Jonathan Edwards As a specially crafted awakening sermon, Sinners was aimed at a particularly hard- hearted congregation. But, at the same time, the awakening sermon and all it expressed—the awful weight of sin, the wrath of an infinitely holy God, and the unexpectedness of the moment when God will execute justice— were integral to Edwards’s theology.
Jonathan Edwards The sermon is a classic statement of the Puritan’s literal vision of Hell and of their belief in humanity’s utter dependence upon God. He repeats his main ideas, with slight variations, over and over, in poundingly repetitive rhythms, drilling into his audience the precariousness of their situation.
Jonathan Edwards The bow of God’s wrath is bent The arrow made ready on the string Justice bends the arrow at your heart And strains the bow Nothing but the mere pleasure of God (that of an angry God without any promise or obligation at all) Keeps the arrow one moment From being made drunk With your blood