Mr. Brindle
ENG 11 – American Lit.
Date __________
Name ____________________
Period _____
_____/25
Early American Religion
Vocabulary
Evangelical – being in agreement with the Christian gospel especially as it is presented in the
four Gospels
Protestant – a member of any of several church denominations denying the universal authority
of the Pope and affirming the Reformation principles of justification by faith alone
Conviction – the act of convincing a person of error or of compelling the admission of a truth
Redemption – making a bad or unpleasant thing or person better or more acceptable
Denominations – a religious organization whose congregations are united in their adherence to
its beliefs and practices
Parishioner – the member of a church community
Congregation – an assembly of persons met for worship and religious instruction
Grace – a virtue coming from God
Missionary – a person undertaking a religious mission
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Mr. Brindle
ENG 11 – American Lit.
Theological – the study of religious faith, practice, and experience; especially the study of God
and of God's relation to the world
Scripture – a body of writings considered sacred or authoritative
Divine – proceeding directly from God or a god
Condemnation – a reason for declaring wrong or evil
Wrath – strong vengeful anger
Covenant –
Doctrine – something that is taught. A principle, position, or the body of principles in a branch
of knowledge or system of belief a formal and serious agreement or promise
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Mr. Brindle
ENG 11 – American Lit.
An Overview of the “Awakenings”
The Great Awakening:
Used to refer to several periods of religious revival in American religious history.
Characterized by:
- Widespread revivals led by evangelical Protestant ministers.
- A sharp increase of interest in religion.
- A profound sense of conviction and redemption on the part of those affected.
- An increase in evangelical church membership.
- The formation of new religious movements and denominations.
The First Great Awakening (1730-1743)
- Leaders had little interest in merely engaging parishioners' intellects; rather, they sought a
strong emotional response from their congregations that might yield the workings and
experiential evidence of saving grace.
The Second Great Awakening (1800-1840)
- A religious revival that occurred in the United States beginning in the late eighteenth century
and lasting until the middle of the nineteenth century.
- While it occurred in all parts of the United States, it was especially strong in the Northeast
and the Midwest.
- It is also noteworthy to point out that this awakening was unique in that it moved beyond the
educated elite of New England to those that were less wealthy and less educated.
The Third Great Awakening (1850-1900)
- Characterized by new denominations, very active missionary work, and also the Social
Gospel approach to social issues.
- It resulted in the addition of approximately one million converts to the churches of the
United States.
- It tied the gospel with social work in a manner that had not been seen in this country before.
- It prepared the nation for the blood bath it would soon experience in the war years of 18611865 (the Civil War).
The Fourth Great Awakening (????-????)
- A debated concept that has not received the acceptance of the first three.
- Some say it happened in the late 1960s and early 1970s when the "mainline" Protestant
denominations weakened sharply in both membership and influence while the most
conservative religious denominations (such as the Southern Baptists and Missouri Synod
Lutherans) grew rapidly in numbers, spread across the United States, had grave internal
theological battles and schisms, and became politically powerful.
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Mr. Brindle
ENG 11 – American Lit.
Jonathan Edwards
“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”
Delivered:
July 8, 1741 to a congregation in Enfield, Massachusetts in the midst of the Great Awakening
(1730-1755).
Characteristics:
Combines vivid imagery of Hell with observations of the world and citations of scripture.
Purpose:
Edwards's aim was to teach his listeners about the horrors of hell, the dangers of sin and the
terrors of being lost. Edwards described the shaky position of those who do not follow Christ's
urgent call to receive forgiveness.
Edward’s Point:
Hoped that the imagery and message of his sermon would awaken his audience to the horrific
reality that awaited them should they continue without Christ.
Underlying Point:
The underlying point is that God has given humanity a chance to rectify their sins. Edwards says
that it is the will of God that keeps wicked men from the depths of Hell. This act of restraint has
given humanity a chance to mend their ways and return to Christ.
Effect and Legacy:
Jonathan Edwards was interrupted many times before finishing the sermon by people moaning
and crying out, "What shall I do to be saved?"
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Mr. Brindle
ENG 11 – American Lit.
Edwards’ Ten Considerations/Doctrines:
1. God may cast wicked men into hell at any given moment.
Meaning:
2. The Wicked deserve to be cast into hell. Divine justice does not prevent God from destroying
the Wicked at any moment.
Meaning:
3. The Wicked, at this moment, suffer under God's condemnation to Hell.
Meaning:
4. The Wicked, on earth - at this very moment - suffer the torments of Hell. The Wicked must not
think, simply because they are not physically in Hell, that God (in Whose hand the
Wicked now reside) is not - at this very moment - as angry with them as he is with those
miserable creatures he is now tormenting in hell, and who - at this very moment - do feel
and bear the fierceness of his wrath.
Meaning:
5. At any moment God shall permit him, Satan stands ready to fall upon the Wicked and seize
them as his own.
Meaning:
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Mr. Brindle
ENG 11 – American Lit.
6. If it were not for God's restraints, there are, in the souls of wicked men, hellish principles
reigning which, presently, would kindle and flame out into hellfire.
Meaning:
7. Simply because there are not visible means of death before them at any given moment, the
Wicked should not feel secure.
Meaning:
8. Simply because it is natural to care for oneself or to think that others may care for them, men
should not think themselves safe from God's wrath.
Meaning:
9. All that wicked men may do to save themselves from Hell's pains shall afford them nothing if
they continue to reject Christ.
Meaning:
10. God has never promised to save us from Hell, except for those contained in Christ through
the covenant of Grace.
Meaning:
Final Question (50 points):
Although the sermon has received criticism, Edwards' words have endured and are still read to
this day. Edwards' sermon continues to be the leading example of a Great Awakening sermon
and is still used in religious and academic studies, over 270 years later. In a five-paragraph
essay, explain the significance of Edwards’ sermon in today’s society. Your essay may be
handwritten or typed. Attach this document to your essay. No late submissions will be accepted.
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