Saturday 10 January 2009

What does Jonathan Edwards mean by "Original Sin" described in his sermon, "Sinners In the Hands of an Angry God?"

The
concept of "original sin" is one in which Edwards argues all human beings are
predisposed to angering God.  This position goes back to the idea that Adam and Eve, God's first
children in the Garden of Eden, broke their promises with God and, eventually, broke God's heart
in their actions.  From this "original" state, all human beings have descended from
this sin.  Edwards uses this to bring to light that God has already been angry with human beings
and because of this "his arrow" of God's judgment has already been drawn.  With this
in mind, Edwards makes the argument that human beings that hear his sermon have to make
fundamental changes in their lives because the condition of "original sin" has already
condemned them to living a life of condemnation.  This condition helps Edwards make his argument
that humans must change their ways or face the consequences of a vengeful and angry notion of
God.  Original sin is another means by which Edwards can accomplish a sense of fear in the
reader/ listener and invoke a sense of guilt, allowing a full capitulation to both God and
Edwards' words.

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