Jonathan Edwards served as the pastor of the Northampton, Massachusetts congregation from 1726 TO 1750. At the time, Northampton was the single largest and most influential church body outside of Boston. He received the pastorate from his grandfather, the infamous revivalist pastor Solomon Stoddard. He had assisted him as a pastoral assistant upon exiting Yale University and when his grandfather died, inherited his pulpit.

Edwards served as pastor in the Massachusetts area during the period of the 'Great Awakening'. The 'Great Awakening' was a period in American history when a tremendous spiritual revival and awakening began. This 'Awakening' arrived under the preaching influence of early American pastors like George Whitefield and William Tennant. The 'Awakening' revival continued during the decade from 1734-1744. It was characterized by mass conversions. It is estimated that during this decade the church in New England alone added approximately fifty thousand converts to their congregations.

Jonathan Edwards is best known for a single sermon he preached entitled, 'Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God'. Accounts from the night it was given relate that during the sermon, 'strong men fell as though shot and women beca

The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy defines ethics as follows: "Ethics, also called moral philosophy, involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong behavior." (www.jonathanedwards.com/science.htm) Most of Jonathan's philosophical musings generally fall into the category of the meta-ethical. Edwards sought answers to philosophical questions while focusing on universal truths, the will of God, the role of reason in ethical judgments, and the meaning of ethical terms themselves.

There is reason to think, that there are many in this congregation now hearing this discourse that will actually be the subjects of this very misery to all eternity. We know not who they are, or in what seats they sit, or what thoughts they now have. It may be they are now at ease, and hear all these things without much disturbance, and are now flattering themselves that they are not the persons, promising themselves that they shall escape. If we knew that there was one person, and but one, in the whole congregation, that was to be the subject of this misery, what an awful thing would it be to think of!

Edwards, subscribing to an experiential interpretation of Reformed theology that emphasized the sovereignty of God, the depravity of humankind, the reality of hell, and the necessity of a "New Birth" conversion, with his writings furthered his notoriety as a revivalist preacher. While many critics attacked the convictions of his many supposed converts as deceptive and even the devil's work, Edwards filled an objective thrust upon him by his position as an apologist for the revivals.