Jonathan Edwards

(1703-1758)

Background Information Important role in the shaping of The

Great Awakening (1730-1755) Was the fifth of eleven children He entered Yale College in 1716, at

just under the age of thirteen. He was a scholar-pastor his; rule

being thirteen hours of study a day.

The Great Awakening A series of several religious revivals Began in the 1730’s

George Whitefield One of the major

ministers during this first revival (in addition to Edwards) was George Whitefield

One of the founders of Methodism.

Structure and Delivery of a Puritan Sermon

1. Epigraph-reading of a Biblical epigraph, explanation of its meaning and its Biblical context.

2. Exposition- demonstration of scriptural evidence, reasoning, establishing the validity of the doctrine

Structure cont. 3. Application-statement of how the

doctrine applies to one’s personal, spiritual and family lives and to the immediate community.

4. Epilogue-call to action, emotional appeal.

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God (1741)

Sermon written by Edwards and preached on July 8, 1741

“Their foot shall slide in due time.” Deuteronomy 32:35 (5th book of the

Bible)

“Fire and Brimstone” tradition

Parallel between the Puritans and the Israelites (chosen by God to be God’s first followers)

“Vengeance of God on the wicked, unbelieving Israelites”

Themes Imminence of

destruction Seeds of

destruction are there, just momentarily stayed, restrained by God.

The danger of death and damnation that faces the unconverted

Imagery Figurative or

descriptive language in a literary work used by the author to create a mental or sensory image in the reader.

An Angry God