Question

according to Edwards, what do healthy, strong members of that town foolishly believe? Why do they think this way? in Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

Answer 1

Jonathan Edwards argued that the healthy and strong members of the town falsely believed themselves safe from God's wrath due to their outward health and strength. However, Edwards pointed out the folly in this belief, as salvation is not guaranteed by one's physical condition or perceived virtues.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to Jonathan Edwards in his sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, healthy, strong members of the town foolishly believe that they are secure from God's wrath due to their outward condition and their own strength. However, Edwards emphasizes that such confidence is misplaced because nobody is inherently safe from divine judgment , which is a central theme in Calvinist theology. People thought this way due to a misunderstanding of their own state of sin and the nature of God's power, which Edwards sought to correct through his vivid and terrifying descriptions of hell and divine retribution.

Answer 2

According to Edward the members of that town believed that they will be saved from the ultimate punishment of God by their own actions rather than God's grace or to be more specific by simply living their lives in a pious and righteous manner they will avoid the punishment. Edward does not agree with them and in his sermon he tries to convince them for "The great change of heart".