Jonathan Edwards' "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" and American culture

Jonathan Edwards Exemplifies American Culture in "Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God"

In his 18th century sermon, "Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God," the puritan preacher Jonathan Edwards make it clear that mere humans enjoy a brief corporeal existence only by virtue of a loving God who benevolently tolerates them. For instance, Edwards states, "There is nothing that keeps wicked men at any one moment out of hell, but the mere pleasure of God." In this context, American culture in the late 18th century can be regarded as being the result of the cumulative effects of Puritanism on the consciousness of the people who were trying to carve out a meaningful existence in the wilderness. One of the more interesting points made by Edwards, though, is just how fleeting this divine allowance is and how it can be revoked at any time if God so wills it. In this regard, Edwards adds that, "By the mere pleasure of God, I mean his sovereign pleasure, his arbitrary will, restrained by no obligation, hindered by no manner of difficulty, any more than if nothing else but God's mere will had in the least degree, or in any respect whatsoever, any hand in the preservation of wicked men one moment."

Inherent in this observation is the potential for punishment to be carried out if and when God deems it necessary, but the fact that Americans continue to persevere two centuries later suggests that the Almighty has a soft spot in his heart for people who heroically struggle to overcome the numerous adversities and challenges that are routinely thrust into their lives. More to the point, Edwards also makes it clear that it is only by the grace of God that wicked humans are allowed to live in this world at all. In support of these assertions, Edwards elaborates several key points concerning the Israelites as follows:

1. That they were always exposed to Destruction, as one that stands or walks in slippery Places is always exposed to fall.

2. It implies that they were always exposed to sudden unexpected Destruction.

3. Another Thing implied is that they are liable to fall of themselves, without being thrown down by the Hand of another.

4. That the Reason why they are not fallen already, and don't fall now, is only that God's appointed Time is not come. For it is said, that when that due Time, or appointed Time comes, their Foot shall slide.

This divinely mandated slippery slope represents the foundation of Edwards' argument that humans are by their very nature incapable of understanding and appreciating the gifts that God has bestowed on humanity and will inevitably pay the price for this weakness. It is interesting to note, though, that since God imbued humanity with all of these frailties, it seems God it setting humans up to fail from the outset. Free will, of course, is one thing but God gave humans free will for a reason.

Without evil, there can be no corresponding oppositional good and it is reasonable to suggest that God fully understood the implications of granting people the ability to make their own mistakes and stray from the righteous path despite knowing better. Notwithstanding the enormity involved in the eternal condemnation to Hell, Edwards also makes it clear that God can invoke this punishment at any time but elects not to do so -- yet. For instance, Edwards write that, "He is not only able to cast wicked Men into Hell, but he can most easily do it." Moreover, this unenviable condition is applicable to all humankind as clearly stated in Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

Certainly, even the most ardently devote Christians will face temptations that will test their faith at some points during their lives and it is this reality that God apparently intended. Indeed, Edwards emphasizes that humans "deserve to be cast into Hell; so that divine Justice never stands in the Way, it makes no Objection against God's using his Power at any Moment to destroy them. Yea, on the contrary, Justice calls aloud for an infinite Punishment of their Sins." This statement undoubtedly caused significant consternation among the congregation assembled to hear Edwards' sermon, just as it has troubled Christians well into the 21st century. In sum, it would appear that modern Americans have a celestial sword of Damocles suspended over their collective heads, awaiting only the moment that God decides he's had enough with the foibles of his human creations.

Indeed, Edwards also makes it clear that humans not only deserve to be punished for the countless sins, they have already been condemned to eternal damnation. In this regard, Edwards add that, "They are already under a Sentence of Condemnation to Hell. They don't only justly deserve to be cast down thither; but the Sentence of the Law of God, that eternal and immutable Rule of Righteousness that God has fixed between him and Mankind, is gone out against them, and stands against them; so that they are bound over already to Hell." Given this divine ultimatum, it would also seem reasonable to suggest that many people would just quit trying to save their souls and wallow in a sea of sinfulness all their lives, but Edwards offers some glimpse of potential salvation when he writes, "God certainly has made no Promises either of eternal Life, or of any Deliverance or Preservation from eternal Death, but what are contained in the Covenant of Grace, the Promises that are given in Christ, in whom all the Promises are Yea and Amen."

When applied to 21st century American culture, these cautions assume new relevance and timeliness, especially considering the dismal state of the presidential election in which the two major party candidates are widely regarded as dishonest and untrustworthy. Fortunately, Edwards has some poignant guidance for modern Americans. Irrespective of who wins the November 2016 presidential election, Edwards maintains that even the worst possible outcome cannot compare with the wrath that God can invoke at any time on humanity. For instance, Edwards write, "The Wrath of Kings is very much dreaded, especially of absolute Monarchs, that have the Possessions and Lives of their Subjects wholly in their Power, to be disposed of at their mere Will."