46: The Legacy of Puritanism, Jonathan Edwards, & "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"

What is the legacy of one, single sermon? Even though Jonathan Edwards, the famous American theologian, preacher, missionary and pastor, is well-known in academic circles for his volumes of work, most people know him only from one sermon he preached in 1741: "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." But did toxic theology affect Edwards personally? It certainly had an impact both on his personal life, and this famous sermon also. That this one sermon still resonates down through the centuries is testimony to not only its rhetorical power, but the after-effect on so many things: political and religious discourse, Calvinist theology as it developed in America, evangelism, missions, and revivals. In this episode, I unpack the historical context of both the Puritans as well as Jonathan Edwards, the man. What led him to preach such a sermon, and what has been its legacy? Find out in this episode!