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Explanation and Analysis:
“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” is a sermon, written and preached aloud for a congregation in colonial America. Observant Protestants both back in England and abroad in her colonies, including Massachusetts and Connecticut, where this sermon was preached, would have heard sermons at least once a week, during church services, if not more often. Sermons could be dry and long, but they could also be excellent pieces of oratory that swayed people’s opinions on everything from biblical interpretation to family matters to politics.
Sermons were generally given by qualified and educated ministers. They were intended to draw the audience closer to Christ, which also meant drawing them closer to a “correct” understanding of Christian theology. As such, many sermons, this one included, have a persuasive element to them. While the audience listening to a sermon may agree with the preacher about what God should be worshipped and what holy book revered, they may not agree with the preacher on specific interpretations of the holy book, or specific claims as to what God wants from his followers. Preachers hoping to convert those of other religions would have an even more difficult time persuading their audience.
Edwards first wrote his sermon, then read it aloud for two congregations, where it had tremendous and immediate effect. Only then was his sermon printed and circulated. This particular sermon is often referred to as a “fire and brimstone sermon,” which means it utilizes descriptions of hell and God’s wrath to terrify the audience into conversion or repentance.
