Analysis of 'Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God'

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.

Theresa Magana Ms. Nauls-Jones AP English 3 26 November 2015 A Rhetorical Analysis of Jonathan Edwards’s Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Widely regarded as “One of America’s most important and original philosophical theologians”, Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, provides a glimpse into the theology of the great awakening. Edwards’s purpose is to awaken audiences to the horrific reality that he believed awaited them should they continue life without devotion to Christ. He adopts an ominous tone with a sense of urgency in order to spread fear in the minds of puritans so that they may repent for their sins and turn to God before it is too late for them. Edwards opens his sermon to the puritans by stating, “So that thus it is that natural men are held in the hand of God; over the pit of hell; they have deserved the fiery pit and are already sentenced to it.”

The fear of eternal damnation turns people against one another when in life-threatening trials. God’s wrath is being contained upon them as these test occur. In “Sinners in the hands of an Angry God” and “The Crucible”, Edwards and Miller use metaphors, imagery, symbolism, and allegory to display how they unveil their message with fear and persuasion.

In the works of Jonathan Edwards “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” uses numerous persuasive techniques and biblical allusions. Edwards’ sermon lectures Puritans, people who strictly pursue to live by the bible, on how they are straying from the path of the bible. During his sermon, the Puritans were terrified of what he had said ,because every little sin each Puritan had committed they thought they were going to go to Hell. Edwards’ play on words, as well as his use of persuasive techniques, and biblical allusion convinced the Puritans that they were severely in trouble of going to Hell.

In the sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God", Jonathan Edwards includes rhetorical devices such as repetition, rhetorical questions, and allusions to persuade his audience to not sin and repent.

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.

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.

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”.

To some, God is a figure as warm and loving as a father. To others however, with every fiber of His being, God hates us and will send us to Hell on a whim. Jonathan Edwards’ purpose in giving the sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” was to persuade his audience to accept Jesus Christ and repent for their sins. A listener of Edwards’ sermon will immediately notice his ethos, vivid imagery, and juxtaposition toward the end.

Dionysus’ birth was imaginatively created by the Greeks to fit along with Dionysus’ role in the world.

In "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" Johnathan Edwards is trying to use scare tactics to scare people back into faith. At the time, most people went away with faith; during this sermon he's letting people know what will/is going to happen when they drift farther from God. He preaches to them in an urgent, persuasive tone by using strong language, metaphors, and powerful diction.

In Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Jonathan Edwards delivers a powerful sermon to his congregation about the horrors of hell. Throughout the piece, the author explains there is no escape from “eternal destruction,” and one must join God to reach salvation (para. 27). Edwards uses dark, gruesome imagery along with gloomy diction in order to instill fear into the audience, and persuade them to more devoutly worship God.

The Odyssey written by Homer is an epic poem set in Ancient Greece. It’s commonly read by ninth graders in high school. I believe that The Odyssey should be taught to freshmen because of the good morals and values that it instills in people; these are applicable in everyday life. This poem teaches people that it’s important to stay true to yourself and those you love, that overconfidence and arrogance could end up harming yourself and others, and to have bravery and courage, even when it seems difficult. First of all, as said earlier, The Odyssey teaches people to stay true to yourself and those that you love.

Self credit repair is not hard. When you write credit dispute letters, keep the following things in mind.