hellfire sermon
Brimstone pulpit address
A hellfire sermon is a fiery religious speech emphasizing damnation, eternal punishment, and the torments awaiting sinners.
The preacher describes hell in vivid, terrifying detail to frighten listeners toward repentance and salvation.
The style was especially prominent in revivalist Christianity: The congregation trembled through another hellfire sermon about the wages of sin.
The term often carries a note of criticism, suggesting manipulation through fear rather than inspiration through faith.
- brimstoneArchaic word for sulfur
- damnationEternal punishment decree
- eternal damnationEverlasting punishment after death
- pulpitChurch speaking platform
- preacherReligious sermon deliverer
repentance · born again · sinners · eternal · flames · judgment · wrath · salvation · saving souls · thundering · revival · come to Jesus · congregation · perdition · gnashing of teeth · torment · evangelical · tent revival