Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God - Essay Example

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards is a eloquently and beautifully delivered sermon that displays God’s displeasure with human beings. In the sermon, Johnathan utilizes imagery to paint a horrifying but necessary picture of eternal damnation for the lost and unsaved souls. The sermon was more of a plea to human beings to receive Jesus Christ and born again rather than a scary warning of the thing to come for those the unsaved.

It addresses the sensitive issue of hell and highlights the fact that human beings can only escape, or avoid hell through Christ Jesus. Edwards uses this imagery to paint a picture of God holding man above the pits of hell, which gives his congregation a glimpse of God’s grace. The image of God holding a man is a wonderful analogy; it shows there is hope and displays God’s mercy and forgiveness due to His reluctance to let go of that thread. Edwards starts by outlining God’s vengeance and wrath against His holy nation and chosen people the Israelites because of their continued rebellion and disobedience.

Besides, Johnathan goes on and shows how God transfers this wrath to the whole world. Edwards clearly points out that it is only Gods love, kindness and desire to keep human beings from the fiery pits of hell that is sustaining man. It is only by grace and mercy. During the sermon, Edwards mentions several times how human beings since time in memorial have and continue to place God into a mold that cannot continue Him. God’s love, will, and mercy is what holds man up; until God realizes that a heart is so dark and hardened, God will never let any man fall into the fiery pits of hell even though we rightfully deserve.

Johnathan clearly states that only God knows the point of no return for very man. Every claim than Johnathan makes is backed up with a verse from the Bible. Edwards anticipates that there may be some individuals in that very congregation that will not hide to the warming thus Edward tackles every excuse and addresses everyone. Edwards’s talks of man’s wisdom and schemes as being foolishness before God and ends with a strong dose of reality that God is not obligated to save man. Johnathan outlines that man’s rejection of the covenant of Christ as being their downfall (Edwards 4).

The amazing aspect of the sermon is the power, mercy, and loving-kindness of God. God’s assurance to man through Jesus Christ should drive any fear of death away. The gift in Christ is eternal life that one cannot earn by works. Man is made only righteous before God by receiving Jesus Christ. Salvation can only be found in Jesus Christ, and that is what Johnathan Edwards is trying to point out. While closing the sermon, Johnathan makes a final plea, to anyone in the congregation that wants to be born again through Jesus ChristJohnathan’s sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” is meant to be disturbing and scary especially to the unrepentant sinner and stir their conscience into action.

In addition, it is meant to give hope not only to the sinner by availing a away out but also to the faithful that may be disappearing through trials and temptations. Work CitedEdwards, Jonathan. Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God: A Sermon Preached at Enfield, July 8th, 1741 at a Time of Great Awakenings and Attended with Remarkable Impressions on Many of the Hearts. Charlestown: Printed and sold by Samuel Etheridge, 1802. Print.