God’s Love and Judgement A Review of Jonathan Edwards sermon

When listening to any sermon, one should consider well what is being said and postulated. Does the speaker read the reference text? Does he provide historical culture or context for such text? Does he justify or give purpose for the text for today? Does he preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, insomuch as to show we are sinners separated from God and in need of a savior; Jesus of Nazareth being that perfect Savior? Lastly, let us look at the overall composition and presentation of the sermon.
Does Johnathan Edwards meet or exceed these expectations with his sermon, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God? Let us look at the first question.
While reading Edwards’ sermon, I found it inescapable how he reads and references various texts to support his premise. First is Deuteronomy 32:35, followed by Psalms 73, 18 & 19, continuing with Luke 13:7 and John 3:18. Edwards does not shy from the source text and bases his exposition on the text proclaiming God’s sovereignty and justice. Edwards insists everyone is, at any moment, subject to God’s judgement and it is only by God’s grace that anyone is not sent at any moment to hell and destroyed. I cannot list all of the texts Edwards quotes, reads, or references throughout this sermon without droning on and risking losing my audience.
Edwards focuses on the divine judgement of God on ALL people in this sermon. We are all guilty before God’s throne and it is only by his divine mercy we are spared. Edwards does not spend much, if any, time on the historical context nor culture of the texts he uses. Instead, he insists the truth of our guilt is universal and not beholden to one people nor during one time. Edwards insists God’s righteousness is forever and eternal. His judgement is without quenching regardless of any human’s station in life. Kings and peasants are judged by God the same. Edwards spends the bulk of his sermon on building up the gravity of sin and the quilt of every listener. Each and every person is guilty of sin (rebellion against God) and deserving of death at any time. In this universal condemnation, Edwards does not need to exposit specifics of why Isaiah writes nor the preacher in Ecclesiastes. For the guilt of sin is universal, transcending time and culture. In this way, Edwards answers both the questions on context and purpose for his sermon.
Does Edwards preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Yes. A resounding yes. Edwards systematically and charismatically preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ. From start to finish, Edwards shows the listener (reader) we are all sinners in need of saving. God’s divine Grace through Jesus Christ is what saves, and it is up to the individual to claim that Grace for themselves.
Lastly, let us look at the overall composition and presentation. Edwards presents multiple points in quick succession at two different points in his sermon. I found this to be unhelpful and distracting. I felt these lists of points were not differentiated well enough to warrant being considered separate points, but rather, continuations of the same point, namely, all have come short of the Glory of God. Overall, I can see how this “fire and brimstone” style of preaching caught on and became the hallmark of the Great Awakening. Yet I found myself less convicted and more intrigued. I was expecting Edwards to refer to John 3:16 & 17 when he went to verse 18 of that same chapter, yet he did not. I found myself anticipating Edwards to reference Romans 3:23, as I just did, yet he does not.
Edwards' sermon, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, states God is merciful, but one could miss it with the distinct focus of the wages of sin being death and destruction. Only in the last moments, does Edwards point the listener to salvation through Jesus Christ. He paints a picture of God just waiting to send people to hell. This picture has persevered in Christianity ever since. This concept of God being full of wrath and vengeance. While we may error by ascribing God the attribute of being all loving, we may also error as ascribing God the attribute of being all wrath. God is sovereign in both his love and his justice. For it is by grace man is saved and not by our own will. Yes we are guilty before God. And yet he still chose to save us through his grace and meted out his judgement of the innocent for us. Jesus is the only way for he is both God and man. He is the guiltless who took my guilt away.

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