Final answer:
Jonathan Edwards was a key theologian and preacher during the Great Awakening, known for his potent sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” He promoted a personal religious experience, influenced religious practices in New England, and left a lasting impact on American evangelicalism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jonathan Edwards and His Influence on Religious History
Jonathan Edwards was a prominent figure in the Great Awakening, a religious revival movement that swept through the British American colonies in the 18th century. Edwards, deeply influenced by enlightenment thinkers such as Locke and Newton, was an articulate theologian from Connecticut, renowned for his forceful sermons and robust intellectual background. Inspired by preachers like Gilbert Tennent, Edwards made a significant mark with his vivid and persuasive oratory skills, particularly through his most famous sermon titled “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” which depicted the terrors of hell and emphasized personal religious experience. His efforts led to an explosion of evangelical fervor in New England, particularly in the Connecticut River Valley where his revival meetings caused dramatic emotional responses, including weeping and shouting for salvation.
Edwards's approach sharply contrasted with George Whitefield, another Great Awakening leader, in that he reached his audience with reasoning and not overt emotional appeal, although the effects were powerfully emotional. This method contributed to a massive increase in conversions and church attendance, having a profound and lasting impact on the religious landscape of his time. Jonathan Edwards's legacy in the religious history of America is significant particularly for his role in shaping the Great Awakening, which laid the groundwork for a more personal and individualistic approach to faith and ultimately influenced the evangelical movements that would follow.