Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God Analysis

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.

Jonathon Edwards was a Puritan minister and known as one of the greatest preachers in America. He was best known for ministering during the first Great Awakening. “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” was an emotional sermon given by Jonathon Edwards in 1741 to a congregation in Enfield, Connecticut. The eye opening sermon left the congregation with a life changing experience. Edwards’s purpose of the sermon was to convince nonbelievers to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.

On July 8th 1741, Jonathan Edwards preached the sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” in Enfield, Connecticut. Edwards states to his listeners that God does not lack in power, and that people have yet not fallen to destruction because his mercy. God is so forgiving that he gives his people an opportunity to repent and change their ways before it was too late. Edwards urges that the possibility of damnation is immanent. Also that it urgently requires the considerations of the sinner before time runs out. He does not only preach about the ways that make God so omnipotent, but the ways that he is more superior to us. In his sermon, Edwards uses strong, powerful, and influential words to clearly point out his message that we must amend

One may say that Edwards’ style of writing is very emotionally persuasive. He mentions several times in his sermon that people who do not follow Christ are going to hell. Furthermore, Edwards makes strong statements in his sermon that could make any non-believer scared, such as, “[the wrath of God] would rush force in inconceivable fury and would come upon you with omnipotent power.” Edwards goes on to say that the strongest man, even “the sturdiest devil in hell”, would be nothing to endure God’s wrath. Edwards not only targets the obvious sinner, but those who seem very holy and moral. “It may

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.

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.

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.

“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.

Edwards instills fear in his congregation by threatening the wrath of God and what will happen if one does not omit their lives to Him. “So that thus it is, that natural men’ are held in the hand god over the pit of hell; they have deserved the fiery pit, and are already sentenced to it;” (102). Here Edwards uses sharp descriptions to show his congregation that any wrong move can put one in Hell, promoting the practice of religion, more specifically; his church. Edwards also writes and speaks very poetically in such a way that his sermons are delivered with an intense amount of imagery that it seems as if those in attendance are watching a movie. Comparing the earth to God’s hand and the mention of God’s wrath being a loaded bow that is ready to rain down on sinners at any moment, helps add the the fear and the image. Another way Edwards creates his atmosphere is by referring to the mass in front of him as ‘you’. When spoken to in such a personal manner one is more likely to be afraid or concerned about the subject as opposed to the sermon being delivered with a more general

Edwards' creative choice of words that he uses describes the power of God and the terrible Hell awaiting sinners. These words easily infiltrate into the minds of his congregation and frighten them beyond belief. These choices of words and his use of such vivid images are mostly successful in their intent, to scare and put fear into his audience. Edwards held his audience locked up with his promises of eternal damnation if proper steps were not taken. The congregation felt the intense impact of his rhetorical strategies and lived on the fear of the power of God. In this way, he was able to keep his followers from sin and away from the fiery pits of Hell.

Jonathan Edwards, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, uses fear in order to make the people, or the congregation, fear god and to manipulate and control them at all cost.

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”.

“The arrows of death fly unseen” (Edwards 433). This excerpt is drawn from a sermon written in 1741--by Jonathan Edwards--a theologian of Puritanism during the Great Awakening. He had strong believes—as made obvious in the sermon—that will be heard by his following. In his sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," the congregation has the qualities of narrow-minded and unaware followers of Gods army seeming to not know the consequence for reversion—spiritual death. The congregation's belief in God illustrates Edwards theme, straying from God's grace can happen, but as Christians, backsliding should be recognized, and one should continue towards the path of righteous. His imagery within the sermon convicts the listeners, using their senses to evoke their spiritual immortality. Which then he connects to his theme, using many examples from the Bible and symbolism, metaphors, and similes.

Jonathan in his sermon, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God (July 8, 1741), claims that the unconverted are hanging from the hands of God, and can be dropped off to the eternity of hell, his sermon is used to make the sinners be afraid and understand how the power of God is saving them, but it is only for his pleasure, unless if they return to Christianity. Edwards strengths his argument by using metaphors and imagery of a wrathful God to make the unconverted people afraid of being sinners and encourage them to have a relationship with Christ to be fully saved from falling to an eternity in the flames of hell. Edwards purpose is to start his sermon with such powerful use of visualization to provide fear to the sinners and give them a

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.