Old Light Vs New Light

In the setting of the first half of the 18th century, many American Christian churches began to experience a religious renewal - an increase in religious interest. Thus the Great Awakening movement began to make its way through the American Colonies. The Great Awakening initially started as a questioning of religion and politics as the people were seeking religious and political freedom. This allowed the American colonist to accept a variety of new religious beliefs and political views. The Great Awakening that swept the American colonies in the 1730’s and 1740’s definitely was impacted by the Revivalism that was sparking a spiritual renewal within the Christian community, the New Lights ‘shift in religious views and values that would appeal …show more content…
The term New Lights are used to differentiate two Christian groups, Old Lights and New Lights, which were originally the same, but have come to disagree in ways of practicing their Christian faith. The term New Lights were initially used during the Great Awakening, in the middle of the 18th century. The Old Light condemned emotionalism and promoted the ideals of the Enlightenment. Unlike the Old Lights, the New Lights supported evangelism, the new methods of prayer, and equality before Christ. The New Lights strayed from tradition and promoted an emotional style of religion that the Old Light did not allow. Revivalist in the colonies, most certainly opposed the idea of a single church. As preachers started to visit many towns, larger churches broke off into smaller Protestant denominations. The Old Lights, older groups that subjugated religion in the early colonies eventually lost control and popularity. The revivals of the Great Awakening did not slow until the …show more content…
Edwards began preaching his religious experience as a “New Light” in viewing sin and penance to reach heaven in 1731 Massachusetts, but his most notable sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” was delivered at a 1741 revival meeting in Connecticut. After viewing the full text of the sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, that I referenced, it is evident that many Americans are inspired by fear. Edward’s sermon obviously fits in all of the revival meetings that were going on during the Great Awakening. Edward was known for appealing to the audience on an emotional level during his sermons such as when he once depicted what hell would be like for sinners who did not seek atonement which would leave his listeners feeling