Jonathan Edwards and the Puritans

Puritans Called themselves “the godly”, but other people called them “Puritans.” If they lived this way, Puritan people thought it would help them get into Heaven. Puritans wanted to live quiet, simple lives, spending a lot of their time praying, reading the Bible, and listening to sermons.

Puritans Wore plain clothes & lived in plain houses. Went to church a lot (all day on Sundays and often on other days too) They thought that God wanted them to work very hard & be very serious.

Puritans (continued) Did not listen to music, party, or dance. Believed that the Bible was God’s true law, and that it provided a plan for living. Since God was at the forefront of their minds, He was to motivate all of their actions.

Beliefs The devil was behind every evil deed. Words of hell fire and brimstone flowed from the mouths of eloquent ministers as they warned of the persuasiveness of the devil’s power.

1703-1758

Jonathan Edwards Puritan Minister The delivery of the sermons became an art form. Sermons were elegant, well formed, interpretive renditions of scripture, with a healthy dose of fear woven throughout the fabric of the literary construction

Vocabulary used in Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Fire & brimstone: the torments suffered by sinners in hell Wrath: strong vengeful anger Prudence: the ability to govern & discipline oneself by the use of reason Contrivance: the act of planning Sovereign (adj): the most exalted kind; superlative in quality

Vengeance: punishment inflicted in retaliation for an injury or offense Omnipotent: all-powerful Loathsome: disgusting Abhors: to regard with extreme dislike Abominable: worthy of or causing disgust Incensed: to arouse the extreme anger or indignation of Asunder: into parts Induce: to persuade or cause Ineffable: inexpressible; unable to be spoken Lamentable: mournful; expressing grief Dolorous: sad; mournful Pining: to lose vigor, health, or flesh Vexation: the quality or state of being troubled