What comes to mind when you hear the name of Jonathan Edwards, the Puritan preacher? Most identify his name with the famous sermon, “Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God.” That powerful sermon was preached in 1741 and initiated what is called, “The First Great Awakening.”
Five months ago I took the time to read, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” again. It’s not easy reading and I doubt it was easy to listen to in its original presentation. While I was sobered by the solemn warning of God’s wrath I couldn’t help but think that, if that sermon were preached verbatim today, the vast majority of modern audiences wouldn’t be able to stay focused, much less tolerate the brazen condemnation of sin.
Modern cartoonists portray Edwards ranting and raving as a hell-fire and brimstone preacher, but that wasn’t the case. Jonathan Edwards was a brilliant scholar who later served as the President of Princeton. Historians relate that his delivery was not flamboyant at all. He always read his sermons in an even voice, but with great conviction. He shunned shouting and theatrical antics. Impressing the listener with the power of truth and his desperate need for God was Edwards’ ultimate goal.”
Somehow that one somber sermon produced incredible results. It’s reported that Jonathan Edwards was interrupted many times before finishing the message by people moaning and crying out, “What shall I do to be saved?” The inexplicable force of God’s truth and the convicting power of the Holy Spirit produced such deep contrition before God that lives were dramatically changed and a national revival was launched.
Jonathan Edwards as a Father
The legacy Jonathan Edward’s left as a father is not nearly as well known as his famous sermon. But the impact of his family leadership may be even more significant in the long run. Edwards married his wife Sarah in 1727 and together they had eleven children.
At the turn of the 20th Century, American educator and pastor A.E. Winship decided to trace the descendants of Jonathan Edwards almost 150 years after his death. Winship’s findings were astounding. Jonathan Edwards’ godly legacy includes: one U.S. Vice-President, three U.S. Senators, three governors, three mayors, thirteen college presidents, thirty judges, sixty-five professors, eighty public office holders, one hundred lawyers and over one hundred preachers and missionaries.
That’s a powerful example reminding parents that their leadership can have a profound effect on their children and on tomorrow’s world. King David wrote, “He (God) established a law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands” (Psalm 78:5-7).
This past Thursday I was honored to participate in the ordination service of my oldest grandson. Charlie Russell graduated from Johnson University last month and has accepted a position as an associate minister with the Lincolnway Christian Church, New Lenox, Illinois, which is just south of Chicago. Thursday’s ordination service (pictured below) took place at the New Day Christian Church in Port Charlotte, Florida where my son Rusty is the preacher. On this Father’s Day I am proud of three generations of preachers. We’ve got a long way to go to catch the legacy of Jonathan Edwards but we’re off to a pretty good start!
“Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever, from generation to generation we will recount your praise” (Psalm 79: 13).
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