Sinners in the hands . . .

Yes, we are to this point in Puritan history. That old Jonathan Edwards favorite. "The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked: his wrath towards you burns like fire: he looks upon you as worthy of nothing else, but to be cast into the fire; he is of purer eyes than to bear to have you in his sight; you are ten thousand times more abominable in his eyes, than the most hateful venomous serpent is in ours. . ." Why would God sacrifice His Son for mankind if we are so abominable? Is it possible that Literature "experts" want all high school students reading this to get a total misrepresentation of God? I don't remember Jesus talking to sinners like this, I do remember Him becoming upset with the religious people of the day but the woman caught in adultery. . . go and sin no more; the rich man . . .give it all away. I don't recall Jesus setting up the us against them situation that Edwards creates. "He will have no compassion upon you, he will not forbear the executions of his wrath. . ." If dying on a cross isn't compassion I don't know what is. Am I a wimp in believing this? It just doesn't seem that the God worshiped by Edwards and the God I worship are the same being. Where is Donald Miller when I need him?