The Great AwakeningEssay Preview: The Great AwakeningReport this essayJonathan EdwardsJonathan Edwards was born on October 19, 1703. At a young age, he studied the bible, Christian theology, and the ancient languages. He married Sarah Pierpont in 1727, when she was 17 years old and had ten children together. Edwards had known Sarah since she was 13 years old and had a love and admiration for her. He wrote about how he loved her deep, and devoted love for the Lord. She was of a cheerful countenance, and a model wife and mother of his eleven children.
His father was a preacher at one of the most famous churches in New England and when he died, Edwards took over the congregation. Edwards was an outstanding preacher as well as a talented writer. He had written several books and sermons; some of his famous works include: Freedom of Will; where he argued that “will” was not an independent power but only a way of talking about a persons choices. To “will” something is to act consistently with ones character in agreement with ones motives. He also wrote, Treatise Concerning Religious Affections, which talks about how true religion, is a matter of affections and how religious emotions are irrelevant to a determination of true spirituality. He argues true spirituality to be shown by twelve marks of a loving attachment to God, which the last and most definite way, he says, is a consistent Christian practice. Edwards, however, is most famous for his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”. This Sermon was the start to the revival in America, later referred to as “The Great Awakening”.
Edwards read his sermon, “Sinners in the hands of an angry God”, to the congregation in Enfield Connecticut, in 1741. This sermon is known as an example of “fire and brimstone” preaching; however he delivered his message calmly and in a monotone. In his preaching he emphasized the sovereignty of God, the depravity of humankind, the reality of hell, and the necessity of a true repentance conversion. God used Edward’s words to cut into the stubbornness and hardness of people’s hearts; by God’s grace, many people were saved. The effect of this one man’s faithful sermon, which spread throughout the country, was a revival; the greatest revival yet in America.
Praise
Dr. Hargreaves, Chairman-at-Large and President of the Lutheran Church of America, said, “A great thing about these words of Edward ’s speaks of a great church that has taken on a new significance following his death and is now recognized as a source of much social and religious growth. Edwards E. Hargreaves is one of the most remarkable names in the history of American culture. His ministry led a revival in the minds of many people in America (and beyond); his voice helped the churches to reach new heights of their own, and as he grew older the message of good and redemption became popular. It’s worth noting that in addition to becoming a world-renowned preacher, Hargreaves also held the New York City Presbyterian Church from 1948 to 1953, and, at the same time, he became governor of New Jersey. I, in turn, have come to admire the wisdom of many of the people working through a difficult time. My prayers are with EdwardЦЂ™s children and their families as their lives are impacted by this wonderful man, a loving father, and a good father. And there will be many who will not read Edwardí®¦Ð‚™s letter but will recognize his vision of the future in his sermon.
Edwards C. Hargreaves, President-at-Large, commented “This is an unforgettable reading from a man of extraordinary integrity, and a gifted preacher. His message of the Lord was not a sermon, as many who read it might have said, but a liturgical sermon. As far as I can tell, there is still a lot more he has to say.”
Praise
Peter J. Storck, Secretary-General, Lutheran Church of America, said, “I highly recommend any and all Lutheran Ministers of the New York Presbyterian Church to read Edward ’. As the United Methodist Church has always had been a source of social and spiritual growth for many and continues to offer wonderful services as pastor to many, I would strongly recommend that we all read ’’s very famous sermon, ‘Wages of the Mind.’ I would like to hear about how to live your life with God. You ought to