Jonathan Edwards, a prominent preacher and theologian, delivered his most famous sermon, 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,' in Enfield, Connecticut, during a period of religious revival known as the First Great Awakening. On this particular occasion, Edwards harnessed a powerful and vivid style of preaching that was intended to provoke deep introspection and a sense of urgency among his listeners. The sermon depicted the precarious state of the unrepentant, illustrating the threat of eternal damnation and the utmost need for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. The emotionally charged atmosphere in the church was palpable as Edwards's words resonated with the congregation, invoking feelings of fear, vulnerability, and desperation for redemption.

As Edwards spoke, many in the audience experienced physical responses, including crying out, fainting, and even convulsing, as they felt overwhelmed by the weight of their sins. This theatrical and fervent delivery not only captured the immediate attention of his congregation but also exemplified a growing trend in early American religious life, where emotionally charged preaching became a means of engaging parishioners and instilling fervor in their faith. The sermon became widely recognized for its vivid and hellish imagery, stressing humanity's fragile situation in the face of divine judgment and mercy.

The influence of 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God' extended beyond this single service and was instrumental in the larger movement of the First Great Awakening, which sought to revitalize religious fervor across the American colonies. This revivalist movement encouraged personal piety, emotional expression in worship, and an emphasis on individual conversion experiences, significantly shaping the landscape of American Protestantism in the ensuing decades.