Analysis Of Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God

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“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” – This work by Jonathan Edwards is a sermon that he wrote in 1741 that centers on the fate that awaits those who are outside of Jesus Christ. Firstly, he speaks of death and how it will come for all, and most often unexpectedly and suddenly. In light of this, he sees the task of warning the “wicked” of their impending destination of hell in the upmost importance. Not only will they be cast into eternal torment most easily, but also Edwards asserts that they deserve to be thrown into hell and would be in hell this very moment, if not for what he calls the “pleasure” or grace of God. The veil that keeps them from falling into hell is so outrageously thin, that it is a wonder in of itself that it has …show more content…

In his doctrinal statement, Edwards says that true religion consists greatly of what he calls holy affections. The mind is the “seat” of the affections, but the affections are the result of both the heart (inclination) and the mind (understanding) working in tandem. The question comes in as how one tells whether or not one possesses true holy affections. One obvious answer that Edwards gives is that only those who have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside them are true believers and in turn have true affections. Another is that affections of true religion are very powerful. This has to do greatly with the presence of the Holy Spirit and how he in himself is a spirit of power. Therefore, the deeds of the believer should be active and powerful, not indifferent and lethargic. He gives an example of a situation where the Word of God is preached. It is entirely possible for people to hear and process Scripture, but also not be affected at all by it – Edwards states that this type of people do not have truly spiritual affections. No one, he says, can seek God or one’s own salvation without being reborn and having one’s heart changed first. As for the relationship between spiritual affections and religion and faith, it is impossible to be truly religious without affections. In

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