Jonathan Edwards effectively uses causal, inductive, and analogical logos to persuade his congregation through reasoning and logic, in “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” in which he wants them to realize that their God is, in fact, angry with them. His use of logos is apparent early when Edwards tells the “reason why they do not go down to hell at each moment,” followed by “because” which is causal logos and appeals to the logical side and sets up his concern and his argument. (lines 10-11; italics mine) Continuing the use of “because” and causal reasoning as well as refuting his congregation's argument that God is merciful, Edwards states “it is not because God is unmindful of their wickedness, … he does not let loose his hand and cut
Edwards use of repetition and diction to build up the concept that God is an angry one by mentioning, “Yea, God is a great deal more angry with great numbers that are now on earth: yea, doubtless, with many that are now in this congregation”. By choosing to repeat the word “yea” in the beginning of his statements, he is able to assure the audience that his perspective is right, which in turn influences them as his assertive tone establishes himself as a more credible character as he seems confident in his statements. Furthermore, the ambiguity when mentioning the sinners on earth, allows the audience to believe that they are not part of these statistics, in which he uses to make the people vulnerable as he references those in the sermon to be some of the many God is angry with. As a result of juxtaposing a much larger world to the people in the gathering, this enforces an idea that nobody is safe as even in their close proximity there are many who have earned God’s wrath. His use of repetition is also seen as he introduces “that eternal and immutable rule of righteousness that God has fixed between
In the excerpt from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards, the only subject that is talked about is God and how basically how he either controls your life or has no part in it at all. By using rhetorical devices such as similes, metaphors, and personification as well as his own writing style, Edwards is able to convey to the reader how the pilgrims felt about the presence of God in their lives and how God could be other things than good at times.
This sermon was preached to warn people to convert to faith or face the danger of the Afterlife, which was the gave logic to the church audience. "Edwards image of god's hand holding 'Natural Man' by a thin thread out of the path of his wrath is a wonderful accounting of God's grace." According to Authors Dens, "God does not want to let go of that thread". This is a logos statement because Edwards is stating the logical fact. In Edwards sermon, as well as Authors Dens analysis of the speech, Edward mentions that " Only God’s own desire to keep us from falling into
Preacher Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, “Sinners in the hands of an Angry God,” frightens the audience with vivid depictions of Hell and God’s wrath. Through the use of polysyndeton, asyndeton, and constant repetition, Edwards persuades the sinners in his congregation to turn towards God.
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.
Preacher and theologian Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, proclaims to the audience that they are all sinners, and God can easily toss them into hell. This was during the Great Awakening, a time of religious revival in colonial America. Edwards’s purpose is to tell the audience the flaws of the Israelites and explain how the members of the congregation are destined for hell if they do not convert and repent for their sins. He adopts an aggressive tone in order to instill fear of God in his congregation.
Edwards use of metaphors allows his tone to be straightforward with their negative connotations. He compares God’s wrath to the great waters that are damned to the present. By incorporating that the waters are for them and the longer it is held the faster and mighty it is, he makes readers feel guilty for being sinful. Depite managing to comfort them by reminding them they have not yet been judged he changes his tone to criticize it is their
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Well respected Puritan Minister, Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” (1741) testifies about the consequences of unrepentant sinners. His intent was to suggest to the congregation the idea that non repentance will lead to punishments. He adopts a dramatic tone in order to address many issues to his viewers.
In the speech, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” the preacher uses a very extreme and hardcore tone in his words. To express what he means, he gave his congregation some imagery. As he tells them about us having an inevitable fate of burning in hell, he says that it is “ Nothing but the mere pleasure of God” that keeps us from falling into the gaping hole of Hell. This speech, spoken by Jonathan Edwards, strikes fear into one’s heart. With this fear, his attempt at making a point has succeeded.
Just as effective as language manipulation is Edwards's use of language transformation; indeed, his skillful employment of descriptive language adds a visual dimension to his message. Even if the foundation is misinterpreted, these transformations allow any listener to mentally "see" Edwards's overall direction. For instance, God's wrath is referred to as "great waters that are dammed", "a glittering sword", and a "drawn arrow". These terms indicate powerful and deadly forces. On the other hand, sinners are likened to "worms of the dust", "miserable creatures", and "loathsome insects"; consequently, these labels are receptors of God's wrath through the forces Edwards introduces. Although these conceptual images appear basic, Edwards's frequency and placement throughout his delivery produce a clear and precise overview to even
In the sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, Edwards displays controversial viewpoints and ideas concerning heaven and hell. As Edwards speaks to the congregation he warns them of the misery and suffering they will face if they do not repent of certain sins. He also describes God as angry which probably struck fear into the hearts on many. To illustrate his own point that hell is unenviable without repentance Jonathan Edwards creates the idea of an angry God using intense similes, a harsh tone, and strong emotional appeal in “Sinners in the hand of an Angry God”.
as the most effective form of persuasion. It is evident that logos best represents how an audience should be convinced, as seen in Amusing Ourselves to Death.
In Jonathan Edwards, “Sinners in the Hands of an An Angry God,” shows an extreme viewpoint of God. According to Edwards, humanity is naturally infected with sin despite our efforts to overcome it. Throughout his sermon, Edwards goes on about how God shows such mercy in not throwing all humanity in the deepest depths of hell. As said by Edwards in his sermon, “ You hang by a slender thread, with the flames of divine wrath flashing about
The powerful words that Edwards used to amplify that God is using this arrow to make the sinner suffer are wrath, strains, and mere pleasure, because he points out how extremely angry God is feeling by straining which means to damage to a certain degree for his pleasure. “But your guilt in the meantime is constantly increasing, and you are every day treasuring up more wrath.” Sinners treasure God’s wrath every day, and they don’t notice how this guilt increases more and more, until God finally decides to let go of them to the burning fire of hell. Once again, Edward uses wrath to make the sinners understand that God is not only angry at them, he is extremely angry at them for increasing their guilt day by day. “God’s creatures are good, and were made for men to serve God with, and do not willingly sub serve to any other purpose…” Every men and women God created were made to love and serve him, and not fall to the hands of the devil himself or to search for a life full of sin. Edwards points out how God’s men were born free of sin, connect this to Adam and Eve, born free of sin yet they seek for the answers that where not to be questioned, as every sinner does by making the choice of following the devil instead of listening to what God has for them.
Persuasion through lies is another way Gorgias says Logos can be used. He says that if everyone remembered everything in the past, knowledge of the present, and