Background:Puritans

Embarkation of the Pilgrims," by Robert Walter Weir (1837). William Bradford is depicted at center, symbolically behind Gov. John Carver (holding hat) whom Bradford would succeed.

Jonathan Edward’s “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”

• "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" is a typical sermon of the Great Awakening, a revival of the Puritan faith from the previous century.

• The sermon emphasizing the widely held belief that Hell is a real and functional place.

• Edwards used vivid imagery to awaken his audience to the horrific reality that he argued awaited them should they continue without Christ. He believed that Christians should do more than understand this reality, but should be moved by it. Religious faith was an experience—an intense emotional experience (as characteristic of religious revivalism).

• The underlying point of the sermon is that God has given humanity a chance to rectify their sins. Edwards says that it is the will of God that keeps wicked men from the depths of Hell; this act of restraint has given humanity a chance to mend their ways and return to Christ.

• Jonathan Edwards' sermon continues to be the leading example of a Great Awakening sermon and is still used in religious and academic settings today.

Most of the sermon's text consists of 11 "considerations“ based in the Scriptures:

1. God may cast wicked men into hell at any given moment.2. The Wicked deserve to be cast into hell. Divine justice does not

prevent God destroying the Wicked at any moment.3. The Wicked, at this moment, suffer under God's condemnation to

Hell.4. The Wicked, on earth - at this very moment - suffer the torments of

Hell. The Wicked must not think, simply because they are not physically in Hell, God (in whose Hand the Wicked now reside) is - at this very moment - as angry with them as He is with those miserable creatures He is now tormenting in hell, and who - at this very moment - do feel and bear the fierceness of His wrath.

5. At any moment God shall permit him, Satan stands ready to fall upon the Wicked and seize them as his own

6. If it were not for God's restraints, there are, in the souls of wicked men, hellish principles reigning which, presently, would kindle and flame out into hellfire,

7. Simply because there are not visible means of death before them, at any given moment, the Wicked should not, therefore, feel secure.

8. Simply because it is natural to care for oneself or to think that others may care for them, men should not think themselves safe from God's wrath.

9. All that wicked men may do to save themselves from Hell's pains afford them nothing if they continue to reject Christ.

10. God has never promised to save us from Hell, except for those contained in Christ through the covenant of Grace.

11. The wicked will not escape the wrath of God unless they repent.

Puritan Belief and Culture

• No separation of church and state: the scripture was the law and people were punished for breaking church doctrine

• Protestants from England: believed that religion has gotten too loose in England; wanted reform; had to leave the country and start their own society

• Wanted moral purity• Do not celebrate holidays: dancing is not

allowed, somber celebrations of God; no joy in religion – doom and gloom: no images, candles, songs – simplicity of worship and dress (lace outlawed)

• Individuality is discouraged and looked upon as suspect

• Fear: church used fear to encourage society to follow the law

• Believed that the woods were the home of the devil: scared of what people might do under the cover of the wild; Native Americans came from the woods

• Believed in the demonic forces: they were sent by God to test humans; temptation

• Emphasized self examination

• Believed people were born with original sin and had to go through life attempting to purify their soul with moral deeds and good behavior: especially women, who were descendants of the corrupt Eve – women are held responsible for the fall of men and many were charged with seduction, temptation and witchcraft

• Had to give evidence that they have experienced God’s grace in their souls – a moment of conversion and clarity: being a good person and knowing the Bible was not enough

• Authority and obedience characterized the parent child relationship: love = discipline; breakdown of discipline is breaking God’s rule to honor mother and father. A disobedient child reflected negatively on the parents – they were thought to be disobedient to the Lord in some way and punished for their wrongs.

If you love your child or husband too much you are suspect: no room for God in your heart – not supposed to dote on familyParanoia and intolerance