Jonathan Edwards based Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God on Deuteronomy 32:35, where Moses warned that the LORD’s judgment would come upon those who persist in rebellion. Edwards had written and preached this sermon earlier as a regular message, using his typical calm delivery. He believed a sermon’s power rested not in dramatic displays but in careful exposition and vivid imagery meant to awaken spiritually indifferent listeners (1 Corinthians 2:1-5). The “fire” of the sermon should be from God’s word rather than the speaker’s style (Jeremiah 23:29).
The sermon became famous when Edwards preached it in Enfield, Connecticut, on July 8, 1741. Eyewitnesses describe his quiet, monotone delivery as the congregation grew increasingly distressed, crying out and asking what they must do to be saved, a reaction reminiscent of the early converts described in Acts 2:37. The intensity of that evening came from their sudden awareness of danger apart from Christ. Edwards pressed the truth that only God’s mercy keeps a sinner from judgment and that such mercy is freely offered in the gospel.
While some dislike what is often called “hellfire and brimstone” preaching because it uses the fear of judgment to call for repentance, preaching judgment has biblical roots. The prophets urged Israel to return before judgment arrived (Jeremiah 4:5–8; Isaiah 30:8–14), and both Jesus and John the Baptist warned of the wrath to come for unrepentant sinners (Matthew 3:7–12, 5:22, 5:29-30, 23:15, 25:30; Mark 9:43). Much of the New Testament focuses on warnings about God’s wrath and hell (2 Thessalonians 1:8; 2 Peter 3:10; Hebrews 10:31).
“O sinner! Consider the fearful danger you are in . . .” —so goes an excerpt from Jonathan Edwards’ Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. Unbelievers might relish how those words feed the caricature they have about Christian preachers. But in reality, the problem today isn’t too much focus on God’s wrath; it’s too little. Some Christians today are more embers and soapstone than fire and brimstone.
Compassion and care for others underlies the tough words of faithful preachers like Edwards. Consider some parts of his sermons:
“There is nothing that keeps wicked men, at any one moment, out of hell, but the mere pleasure of God. … [Sinners] have deserved the fiery pit, and are already sentenced to it,” and “there is nothing between you and hell but the air; ’tis only the power and mere pleasure of God that holds you up.”
… you hang by a slender thread, with the flames of divine wrath flashing about it, and ready every moment to singe it, and burn it asunder. … all your righteousness, would have no more influence to uphold you and keep you out of hell, than a spider's web would have to stop a falling rock.”
“And now you have an extraordinary opportunity, a day wherein Christ has flung the door of mercy wide open, and stands in the door calling and crying with a loud voice to poor sinners.” ”
As believers, we must warn unbelievers of what awaits them if they continue to reject Christ. Some might not be ready for the Edwards-like direct approach. But however we deliver the message, we must deliver it. And with the warnings, we can include the blessed promise that Christ “has loved them and washed them from their sins in his own blood,” as Edwards expressed in his sermon.
To read the entire sermon, visit the Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale University here.
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