Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God By Jonathan Edwards

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God It is said that during Jonathan Edwards sermon, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, people from the audience screamed in terror because of the blunt and intense technique Jonathan used. In this six hour long sermon, he proposed the idea that if sinners did not repent and were not in God’s grace, then they would be damned to Hell. He also explained there was nothing a person could do to refrain from Hell other than through the power of God. In order for Edwards to get his point across to his audience, he had to use effective persuasive techniques. Jonathan Edwards influenced his audience’s relationship with God by using extreme repetition, references to the elements, and compelling imagery.

Johnathan Edwards is trying to scare his churchgoers into believing what he has to say, by saying things like “There are in the souls of wicked men those hellish principles reigning, that would presently kindle and flame out into hell fire, if it were not for God's restraints.” No one is safe that means! The title of this sermon is Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. This first part of the sermon is him telling us what will happen to sinners in the hands of an angry God.

Authors convey their message by emploing forms of rhetoical techniques. In Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Johnathan Edwards, uses rhetorical techniques,imagery, repition, and metaphors to ensure that his point get across.

Jonathan Edwards states, “nothing to lay hold of to save yourself, nothing to keep off the flames of wrath, nothing of your own, nothing that you ever have done, nothing that you can do, to induce God to spare you one moment..”(Edward 48). This quote examines that all human are originally sinned. In the early years of Americans, human nature is established upon religious beliefs which were puritanism and deism. Puritans believed in predestination which meant that god planned eternal damnation for some and eternal salvation for others. In the other hand, Deist believed in perfectibility of every individual through the use of reason and they always seeked to improve themselves therefore; they were not dependent on God. The major

This way, we will believe that we will always stay with our loved ones that continue to live on. And if we did the good things we were meant to do, we would be given the right to permanently live in that infinite state. Just like that, we have a great thing to look up to and have no reason to fear it. However, the Puritans have come to believe that the good things you were meant to do won’t do you any good, because God’s will is random and unpredictable. It seems unfair to anybody, and makes death more scary than it should be. Without being able to tell if you will go to Heaven or Hell, people then and there would be scared because the outcome is unknown. They can only gamble with God, hoping that they get the better outcome. He gave them the idea that their God was angry with them and if they did not convert to Puritanism there would be no escaping hell or God's wrath. Throughout this long sermon there are numerous instances in which Edwards describes God as merciless or when he explains that death is coming and no matter what one does, hell is inevitable. Jonathan Edwards's most effective technique was by far his use of implanting fear into his audience's mind. Edwards says That the reason why they are not fallen already and do not fall now is only that God's appointed time is not

Perhaps the first thing noticeable in Edwards’ sermon is his horrifying imagery of Hell and what happens when one doesn’t accept God into his or her life. On page eighty-eight it is stated “Your wickedness makes you as it were heavy as lead… and if God should let you go, you would immediately sink… and plunge into the bottomless gulf… and all your righteousness, would have no more influence to uphold you and keep you out of Hell, than a

Edwards’ use of powerful diction intimidates his audience. He continuously talks about the “wrath” of God. He uses the word “wrath” to emphasize how angry god is. He tells the sinners they should be scared of God’s wrath. He also uses many other words with negative connotations, such as “dreadful” and “dismal”. Using powerful words like “dreadful” and “dismal” causes his audience to fear

Edwards utilizes pathos in “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” when he describes man’s fate. He states on page 15 that God holds man “over the Pit of Hell, much as one holds a Spider, or some loathsome Insect”. By comparing man to a spider, Edwards causes his audience to envision the loathsome insect. This in turn forces the audience to generate feelings of disgust for the insect and as a result of this comparison of man to the horrible insect, they begin to associate that sense of disgust with themselves. Additionally, Edwards instills fear in his audience by comparing them to a spider over the Pit of Hell because his word choice makes the audience envision themselves as a spider dangling by a thread over the Pit of Hell, which at any moment

Jonathan Edwards’ three-part sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” revolves around Deuteronomy 32:35: “Their foot shall slide in due time.” He utilizes this biblical reference in order to frame his argument and provide real world application to the congregation’s life. During this time period, only elite scholars were given access to read the Bible. Because of this, sermons were used to teach the word of God to the common Puritans. Preachers were trusted to correctly interpret the Bible’s teachings and accurately explain them to the people.

“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” is a religious speech which Jonathan Edwards gave out during his sermon in Connecticut as an appeal to sinners to recognize the sins they were committing. Readers can also identify his oration as a jeremiad, for the speaker’s regular integration of passion and the indication of an imminent destruction of society renders this text as a powerful form of a lamentation. From the very beginning of his verse, Jonathan Edwards states that within his sermon “is threatened the vengeance of God,” reiterating his firm belief that there are significant issues regarding the Puritan faith. He lists out four implications to clear off any misunderstandings from his audience, and builds up credibility by citing various

In the sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry Godby Jonathan Edwards many devices are used, such as imagery, personification,and similies that help support his speech. On paragraph 4 Jonathan Edwards uses personification. He uses personification by giving human characteristics to something that is not real. Edwards says, "the creation groans with you" meaning his existence overwhelms. By using the keyword "groan" to justify the creation he is giving the creation human effects.

In comparison to sermons of today, Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God can be debated and labeled controversy. Today’s society seeks a cookie cutter world, life, and society. Few desires seeking the truth or applying hard work. As though the world is to be served to them on a platter. Despite one’s personal views based on personal belief, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God is one of the most popular sermons in America.

Through the use of a negative connotation, an angry tone, and fearful figurative language Jonathan Edwards attempts to persuade the audience that without being born again you will be condemned to hell. This excerpt from "Sinners in the Hands of an angry God" written by Jonathan Edwards is very argumentative and attempts a high level of persuasion. The authors style of writing is very appropriate for the specific topic and also causes a great deal of reactions from the audience. Some of the overall reaction was caused by the use of words that are usually not spoken in everyday society, such as "hell". His style also helps him achieve his purpose because it causes the audience to pay attention and be focused on

Jonathan Edward’s “Sinners in the hand of an Angry God” and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Minister’s Black Veil” both convey a similar message, which is based on the idea of sin in the souls of people. But both texts deliver the message in similar and differentiating ways. Which can be observed within the text. Starting off with Jonathan Edward’s “Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God” way of conveying the message.

Jonathan Edwards was a remarkable priest who was well loved by many of his converts until he lost them for one mistake he made in the 1700’s. He was born on October 5, 1703 in East Windsor, Connecticut to a reverend and his wife. Edwards was the only son of eleven children and was gifted at an early age with observation and exposition. He was accepted into Yale University at age thirteen and stayed there for two years to study theology and he was constantly attempting to perfect himself. He married his wife, Sarah Pierpont, in 1727 and two years following the he succeeded his grandfather, Reverend Solomon Stoddard, at his church. He gave his speech, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God on a Wednesday afternoon on the eighth of July 1741 (Turley, Stephan). This famous sermon that he gave to his pupils was full of ethos, pathos and logos that he used to convince his audience (Levine, Robert).