In his increasingly popular (see David L. Larson’s Fifteen Most Significant Sermons in Church History) and much-studied sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” Jonathan Edwards warned his own parishioners: “The bow of God’s wrath is bent, and the arrow made ready on the string, and justice bends the arrow at your heart, and strains the bow, and it is nothing but the mere pleasure of God, and that of an angry God…that keeps the arrow one moment from being made drunk with your blood.”
Gross. Rude. Down-right mean. Whatever you may think of Edwards’s incendiary assertion, it is theologically true. Isn’t it?
Maybe there’s no place for this kind of preaching anymore. That’s why we now politely ask unbelievers: “Uh, we hate to interrupt you, but may Jesus please come into your heart? No? Oh, sorry for bothering you. We don’t want to be offensive?”
I’ve thought about this a lot lately. God is loving AND holy. He is patient AND decisive. His salvation in Christ, which is readily available to all who repent in faith, is rejected at great (and sometimes sooner-than-later) consequence. If all this is true, is there still a place in preaching for hell, fire, and brimstone?
If the Lord of the Universe is an all-consuming fire, why do we talk about him like he’s a flickering flame on a clearance candle?
4 comments:
A whole-hearted resounding yes to your question! There is a place for those things, and it should still be in all of our churches. What a needed reminder that we can't say we are seeking to "win as many as possible" if we are keeping the "unpleasant" truths of hell from them. God is NOT a flickering flame on a clearance candle (love the imagery of that) HE is however a consuming fire, Holy, and Just. a healthy balanced return to that will strengthen, grow, and solidify churches in a day of consumerism and self service seekers. Well put Sloan, well put.
what a powerful statement edwards makes! he's is calling man to a stronger devotion, to the humble position of a broken heart (ps.51), and a complete life change ("the old is gone, the new has come").
the same idea paul writes about to the romans. how can we deny the words: "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.." (1:18-32)
God is concerned not only with the corruptions of godlessness and wickedness, but with the supression of His truth! you're absolutely right, john. the flickering flame, the watered-down "gospel" (if it can even be called that), has become dangerously comfortable--and quite gray. (this mentality has not only creeped in through the seeker-sensitive movement, but--dare i say--McLaren and new ideas of pluralistic religion!)
To the above blogger paul: it is not that God is always angry; it is a quality, a characterist of the Creator of the Universe not to be forgotten. in fact, the writer of this blog stated other attributes of God in brief (i.e. "God is loving AND holy. He is patient AND decisive.")
and Tom P appropriately writes "The enemies of our Lord will be justly dealt a measure of serious wrath."
God goes deeper than just being angry. in consideration of Cain who murdered his brother: God was angry that Cain murdered his brother and punished him by forcing him from his land. but he also protected Cain when he feared that people would find him without home by "marking" him. (Genesis 4)
more importantly, God sent his Son as a complete and holy sacrifice.
God does get angry, and my conjecture is that there is a litany of failures that he is angry about right now. but thank the Maker, he is just.
excellent response, Stephen. i agree.
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