Jonathan Edwards, Sinners in the hands of an angy God

Post by **_Mort_Coyle** » Mon May 19, 2008 9:50 pm

J. Edwards, are you implying that the popularity of something is a sure sign of God's blessing upon it?

Post by **__id_2714** » Tue May 20, 2008 3:37 pm

Considering it was one of the sermons that sparked the greatest revival in American history, I will let the fruit of which speak for itself.

Post by **__id_2618** » Tue May 20, 2008 5:54 pm

Considering it was one of the sermons that sparked the greatest revival in American history, I will let the fruit of which speak for itself.

So just what does this "fruit" validate? God's love, or theological validity?

Post by **_Mort_Coyle** » Tue May 20, 2008 8:26 pm

Whether the "Great Awakening" was anything more than a short lived Calvinist revival in the New England area which was later romanticized and exaggerated is a matter of some debate among historians. Be that as it may, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God did not "spark" the revival, but was one among many popular sermons by Edwards, Whitefield, et al. It has remained well known because it is the quintessential example of fire and brimstone preaching.

Using your logic, J. Edwards, I might conclude that Islam, Mormonism and Brittney Spears are blessed by God, considering their tremendous popularity.

As far as fruit, there is considerable debate about whether the fruit of Calvinism has been positive or destructive. I tend to think the latter.