c. 2003 Religion News Service

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. You probably won’t catch the Rev. Peter B. Ives telling his parishioners they are “sinners in the hands of an angry God,” but that is not to say Ives lacks an appreciation for Jonathan Edwards, one of his predecessors at First Churches.

Indeed, in October, Ives will play the role of Edwards, who played a major role in “The Great Awakening,” a wave of religious fervor that swept through the country in the mid-18th century.

A skilled writer and creative thinker, Edwards is much anthologized for his sermons, particularly “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” which he delivered down the road in Enfield while he was minister of the Congregationalist Church in Northampton.

Edwards was the third minister of the church, which was founded in 1661, and tended the flock from 1727-1750. Ives, the 28th in succession, has been at the pulpit since 1989. In the interim, the church has undergone considerable transformation, including a name change to First Churches, but Ives nonetheless feels a kinship to Edwards.

“In many ways, I see myself as part of that larger ministry,” he said.

Although Ives has dressed up as Edwards in the past to deliver sermons, he will be wearing a tuxedo when he reads one of Edwards’ speeches in “The Spirits of Northampton,” an Oct. 24 event that is part of the city’s 350th anniversary celebration.

Other historic Northampton figures who will speak through modern-day counterparts include Sojourner Truth, Calvin Coolidge and Sylvester Graham.

Ives believes that Edwards has gotten a bad rap as a “fire and brimstone” preacher and has chosen a sermon that shows the minister’s softer side.

“He wrote a great deal about love and compassion and being involved in the community that people have not read or understood,” Ives said.

He even cites Edwards as an early environmentalist who spiced his writings with an appreciation of nature.

“He loved to walk through the woods and hills of the Pioneer Valley,” Ives said. “He spoke of nature as being `the garment of God.”’

Ives and Edwards part ways on a number of issues, however. Edwards was ultimately asked to leave Northampton after some struggles with the community. He was much stricter about allowing congregants to be baptized and receive communion than his predecessor, according to Ives. On one occasion, Edwards publicly chastised some local boys for reading a midwife’s manual, much to the indignation of their parents.

Ives said he would not think of publicly shaming a teen-ager for reading “Playboy.” He also noted that his congregation stresses inclusion. Those differences aside, he is looking forward to giving voice to the man who once commanded the pulpit in his church.

“I’m very happy and excited about doing this because I have a deep interest in Jonathan Edwards,” he said.

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