Sinners Part 3

Edwards never mentioned this sermon in any other writings. The reason is probably because the spirit of revival in evidence at Enfield was a common occurrence at that time. For this was the period of the Great Awakening in which many souls were converted by the overpowering work of the Holy Spirit. The Great Awakening began in New England in 1734-35 by a revival in Edwards's own church at Northampton. For a description of that spiritual visitation one should read Edwards's account, titled Narrative of Surprising Conversions (1735). In 1739 revival erupted again in New England, and well into 1741, at the time of the Enfield sermon, Edwards was convinced that "the work seemed to be much more pure, having less of a corrupt mixture than in the former great outpouring of the Spirit in 1735."

Through the years, Edwards has been unfairly criticized for "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" because many think its predominant teaching is the punishment of the ungodly in the fires of hell. While that image is certainly present in the sermon, it is not its prevailing image. On the contrary, as E. H. Cady points out, "the focus of the sermon is on the predicament of the sinner, how dreadfully he dangles just before he plunges to eternal agony, and while he has time to repent and be saved." Consequently, the purpose of the sermon was chiefly evangelistic -- an attempt to present the true condition of fallen men, their precarious position in the world, and their need for the salvific work of Christ. Edwards's concept of hell fire was a tool to persuade men of their uncertain circumstance. As he said elsewhere, "the fears of hell tend to convince men of the hardness of their hearts."