Ethos In Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God

Jonathan Edwards creates a more effective argument for the intended audience in “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” than “The Speech in the Virginia Convention” written by Patrick Henry, by utilizing various techniques. Patrick Henry makes a strong argument however in the end, Edwards’ sermon grows to be more effective. Edwards creates the argument by strengthening the writing through tone, structure, fallacies and knowledge of the congregation that became his audience. Henry’s piece uses methods of oratory persuasion but the actual topic of “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” has an advantage from the start by appealing to fear, a fallacy of logic. Even with the strong basis “The Speech in the Virginia Convention” by Patrick

Jonathan Edwards, a famous preacher in pre-colonial times, composed a sermon that was driven to alert and inject neo Puritanical fear into an eighteenth century congregation. This Bible based and serious audience sought after religious instruction and enlightenment. Through the sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," Edwards offers a very harsh interpretation to humankind. Edwards utilizes various rhetorical techniques to evoke an emotional response in his audience and to persuade the members of his congregation that their wicked actions will awaken a very ruthless and merciless God.

Jonathan Edwards's sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" is moving and powerful. His effectiveness as an eighteenth century New England religious leader is rooted in his expansive knowledge of the Bible and human nature, as well as a genuine desire to "awaken" and save as many souls as possible. This sermon, delivered in 1741, exhibits Edwards's skillful use of these tools to persuade his congregation to join him in his Christian beliefs.

In the sermon “Sinners in the Hand of An Angry God”, Reverend Edwards uses the rhetorical appeals ethos, pathos, and logos to convince unbelievers to become born again in Christ. Reverend Edwards was known for capturing people’s attention with his intense sermons on hell and eternal damnation. His sermons contributed to “The Great Awakening” which was a religious movement in the 1700’s. He used rhetorical appeals in his sermons to reach out to unbelievers. These rhetorical appeals are what helped him to be so persuasive in his sermons. This sermon is one of the many he gave to his congregation.

Edwards’s uses strong, powerful diction to clearly get his across to the spectators. Jonathan Edwards repetitively uses the word “omnipotent” to visibly tell his audience how powerful God is. Along with that, he repetitively uses the phrase “God’s wrath” along with words such as “fury, despair and destruction”. Edwards actually describes God’s wrath by commonly using words as dreadful, glowing, wickedness, black and vengeance. By the usage of these words and phrases, Edwards indicates that God is angered and furious of our actions. However to point out God’s generosity, Jonathan Edwards commonly uses the word “mercy”. By using the word “mercy”, Edwards indicates that since God made his worshipers, he is giving them an opportunity to repent and amend their ways or destruction is unpreventable. Mr. Edwards also uses words as “mourn, howl, hopeless and sober,” to specify the listeners reactions upon hearing Edwards’s sermon. Edwards use of influential words leave the spectators mourning and groaning in great despair. Edwards employs all these words through the emotional appeal of ethos. This is what causes a great impact upon the listeners at the church.

“I’m a devil worshiper” is the very first line as Fetty Wap begins rapping in his song, “679.” In a way, this statement is very similar to Jonathan Edwards writings because both speakers had very unconventional views for their respective times. In today's world, Fetty Wap’s satanic beliefs aren’t generally accepted by other people; this is similar to Edwards views because he opposed the stereotypical loving image of God by warning others of his potential destruction and power. In, “Sinners of the Hands of an Angry God,” Jonathan Edwards makes it clearly known that he portrays God as dangerous and unafraid to take violent action through the use of imagery in nature by water, wind and insects.

b. Thesis – Jonathan Edwards’s sermon portrayed Puritans as sinners of their religion through the use of rhetorical strategies such as ethos, pathos, and logos.

Jonathan Edwards author of Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God uses literary elements such as pathos, ethos, or logos to create fear in his audience to help them understand the situation he is trying to explain to them. For example, “ The Arrow is made ready”, this is aimed towards all of those who have sinned, or have not yet accepted christ, telling them the will punish them if they do not accept him and repent soon. This is meant to scare the Audience into accepting christ because no one wants an arrow unexpectedly piercing into their chests at any time of the day or night.

Edwards’s use of pathos is expressed throughout his sermon through his use of fear. Edwards exclaims, “Their foot shall slide in due time,

People hang on a thin rope. They have sinned, and a single arrow from the bow of God’s will drop them into the unending abyss of hell. Meanwhile, the court is in session. The people of Salem find themselves immersed in a wave of hysteria and paranoia as anyone around them could be the Devil’s man. More than two centuries later, the situation repeats itself; the Devil adopts a new name. In both “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, by Jonathan Edwards, and “The Crucible”, by Arthur Miller, the authors rely heavily on fear and persuasion to convey their messages. However, while Edwards uses primarily imagery to achieve his goals, “The Crucible” uses fear and persuasion as symbols and allegories to the 1950’s Red Scare.

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Reading Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God was intense. Thinking about God being mad at us or wanting to punish us is a scary thought. The society we live in today often judges those living the Christian lifestyle. People are often put down for praising God in public or simply talking about what God has done for them. Living a good christian lifestyle is worth it; you may be judged but it is worth it, not only because he will punish you for your sins, but also just because he loves you and protects you (he deserves it).

Jonathan Edwards, author of Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God wasn’t being quit positive in beginning of his story. He uses snarl words to instill fear into the crown or the readers. Most importantly he wanted to instill fear into unconverted men, women, and children. No, this man did not care if he was hurting feeling or making people think; in fact that was what he was trying to do.

John Winthrop and Jonathan Edwards were preaching different messages in their respective sermons A Model of Christian Charity and Sinners in the Hands of Angry God, with different intended effects, for different congregations.

In Johnathan Edward's, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," Edwards has a particular style of writing that conveys an underlying purpose when delivering the sermon. Throughout the sermon, he uses multiple writing techniques and tools to engage the listener more, and to assure the listeners believe and trust him. Edwards purpose of writing and delivering the sermon, is to warn his people and to whomever else wants to agree, that they all must show their remorse of their sins to God before it is too late. Every sentence in the sermon, is based around scarring the people even more and more. Edwards accomplishes this by using certain diction and structure, a certain tone, and persuasive figurative language.

In “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, Jonathan Edwards expresses his interpretation of who a sinner is and what will become of them. As you look through religions you can see that their idea of God’s personality differs. Some see Him as a loving God, some a God of anger, and some a God who cares nothing of us. Edwards has a rough view of God. He sees Him as a person who is angry and doesn’t quite mention God’s amazing love and mercy.