In 1741, Jonathan Edwards preached an infamous sermon entitled “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”. Edwards was guilty of propagating a common falsehood: namely, that God is angry because of sin. This misrepresentation continues in our day. I remember watching the television coverage on 9/11. I saw two prominent ministers being interviewed and both agreed that 9/11 was God’s judgment upon America because of sin.

God is not judging America because of sin. Neither is he judging individuals because of sin. God is not angry about sin. In fact, God is not angry at all. The reason is simple: God...