Jonathan Edwards Sinners In The Hand Of An Angry God

Albert Einstein, a theoretical physicists and founder of the general theory of relativity, once addressed, "Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death" ("Albert Einstein"). Men concern themselves with life on earth and doing good deeds now, not fret about life after death. From the early 1600s to 1750, Puritan influence impacted America as predestination, the idea that God knows where each person will end in eternity, and the Protestant work ethic, the idea that hard work displays Godliness and wins God's favor, penetrated the colonist's lives and literature. As Puritan influence decreased in the late 17th century, the Age of Reason blossomed, shifting literature from teachings
Jonathan Edwards' Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God depicts an illustration when he vividly expresses that "there is dreadful pit of the glowing flames of the wrath of God; there is hell's wide gaping mouth open; and you have nothing to stand upon, nor anything to take hold of; there is nothing between you and hell but the air" (47). Jonathan Edwards emphasizes fear to influence people, impacting them and persuading them; however, some people do good deeds because they fear the consequences. This quote describes harsh Puritan beliefs and people's fear of a wrathful God threading them on the verge of hell. Also, this quote further supports the idea that people establish good behavior and actions because they fear the outcomes of not doing good deeds. Besides, Margaret Mead agrees with the idea that "it is an open question whether any behavior based on fear of eternal punishment can be regarded as ethical or should be regarded as merely cowardly" ("Margaret Mead"). This quote questions people's motives for doing good deeds; they fear the punishment of not doing good. People persuaded by fear do not carry out their actions because they want to improve the world, but because they do not want to face the outcomes. Likewise, the Bible declares to "be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free" (The Holy Bible, Proverbs 11:21). This Bible verse highlights what will happen to those who refuse helping others because of fear; they will receive punishment because they fear the consequences if they do not help others. Either way, people will not be off the hook for helping others while under the idea that they only do it because they fear the consequences of not doing good deeds. Indeed, outcomes can make or break a decisions, but the intentions define people and their