Author: H. Norman Gardiner

Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758) was a preeminent theologian, preacher, and philosopher during the era of the Great Awakening in colonial America. A graduate of Yale University, Edwards took the helm of the Congregational Church in Northampton, Massachusetts, where his profound sermons catalyzed a religious revival. His eloquent rhetoric and narrative craft have been commended for both their theological profundity and psychological insight. Edwards is perhaps best known for his vivid depiction of Calvinist soteriology, a perspective that emphasizes predestination and salvation. His sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” is one of the most famous sermons in American history, illustrating his masterful use of imagery and fear to convey the reality of hell and the danger of sin. The compilation “Selected Sermons of Jonathan Edwards” encompasses the core themes of his ministerial message, including divine sovereignty, human depravity, and the beauty of God”s grace. Through these sermons, Edwards contributed to shaping American religious identity and offered a voice that resonated with his contemporaries” spiritual anxieties and quests for authentic faith. His work continues to be studied for its influence on American religious thought, the development of evangelicalism, and its literary merit.