I recently finished reading Jonathan Edwards’ most famous sermon out loud from start to finish for the first time. I figured it was worth reading, if for no other reason than as an academic exercise because of its importance to American religious history. Here are a few brief observations.

Firstly, I have to admit I cannot recall ever hearing a sermon even remotely close to that before. I think many people are familiar with the expression “fire and brimstone” preaching, but I doubt many have actually listened to or read something like Edwards’ message. It is hard to express just how different that sermon was than what might be considered the modern equivalent of it. That’s probably because there really is no modern equivalent. I don’t know what the exact breakdown would be, but I would guess at least 97% of the sermon is spent describing the horrors of hell and the inconceivable agony and misery of a soul facing the fury of the wrath of God. There might be one or maybe two paragraphs about turning to Jesus.

Secondly, there’s probably some understandable criticism that can be made that perhaps Edwards is misrepresenting God’s character or not giving a balanced picture of it. But I would guess Edwards would have known that and obviously made a choice to stress God’s anger at not only sin but also sinners (see Psalm 11, Psalm 7). This would make sense given the occasion for the message. Edwards gave the sermon to a congregation that had thus far resisted the widespread revival that was going on in New England at the time.

Whatever place such kind of preaching should or should not have in today’s church, it is hard to argue that the modern church isn’t profoundly lacking in the fear of the LORD. And on this point, certainly Edwards was exactly right then and needs to be heard even more now. After all, Jesus said, “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear; fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell.” (Luke 12:4-5)