Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God Analysis

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”.

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.

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards Jonathan Edwards grew up in an atmosphere of strict puritan discipline. He became a very religious and devout believer at an early age, and excelled in academics, entering Yale University at the age of thirteen. Many years later he became the pastor of a church that grew with his teachings. His lifestyle reflected his teachings and was a well respected man. His sermons spoke directly at many people and he impacted many lives despite the monotone he used when delivering his sermon.

“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.

Within the eighteenth century, Christians were going through the Great Awakening, a wave of religious enthusiasm that swept through the colonies in an effort to make an impact on the religion within the areas. In the sermon written by Jonathon Edwards, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” he is trying to persuade nonbelievers into joining his religion in a way unused by many. To show nonbelievers the two altering sides of God based on what people believe and “they may imagine him to be so” (3), Jonathon Edwards’ sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” utilizes threatening tone, conveying repetition, and augmenting similes to express the fury and hopefulness of God.

Edwards, Jonathan. “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”. In Literature of America, complied by Jan Anderson and Laurel Hicks, 19-25. Pensacola: A Beka Book, 2010.

Throughout the antebellum era before the American Revolutionary War, authors Thomas Paine and Jonathan Edwards, through their works “The Crisis, No. 1” and “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” respectively, assiduously try to persuade their audience for religious or quarrelsome purposes. In the other text, “The Crisis, No. 1” created by Thomas Paine in 1776, Paine tries to convince and persuade the American colonists to resist and overthrow the tyrannical government of Great Britain since they were not thoroughly supportive of the American, rebellious cause. Through the utilization of readable language of the common man, Paine describes that it is justifiable to depose oppressive governments such as that of Great Britain’s and not taking

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.

“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.

In "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" by Jonathan Edwards, Edward implements personification and similes to persuade his congregation into thinking that they will eventually be punished by god if they continue their sinning habits. In the sermon, Jonathan Edwards utilizes personification to describe the way god is shielding a person from their own punishments. In addition Edward states, " It is nothing but his mere pleasure that keeps you from being this moment swallowed up in everlasting destruction. " The act of destruction is being presented with a human trait which is swallowing.

“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” is a sermon delivered by the Puritan preacher Jonathan Edwards during the Great Awakening, a period of religious revival. The sermon is intended to restore religious convictions of the Puritans, which he felt was weakening, for people in the congregation. Edwards’ purpose in the sermon is to impress upon his audience the urgency of redemption from sin in order to persuade sinners to repent and obtain salvation. Through the effective use of ethos and metaphors, Edwards hopes to awaken fear and inspire faith in the Puritan congregation.

In many of the Early American Writings of Bradstreet, Edwards, Winthrop, and Bradford, in all of the text a common value would be piety. By incorperating piety in to their text is shows that God is very significant in everyday life. All the authors show that God can either punish or show a reward, depending on how the individual acts. In many of the writing they show how Everything is determined by Gods will such as in Bradfords writing. “There was a proud and very profane young man….But

(AN EVALUATION OF EDWARD’S PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES IN SINNERS IN THE HANDS OF AN ANGRY GOD)

The author Jonathan Edwards, wrote a sermon titled Sinners in The Hands of Angry God which takes place in 1741 in Enfield, Connecticut. In this sermon The main character, God, has his wrath descriptively portrayed by Jonathan Edwards. The overall theme of the story is God's judgement and how he is seen by his followers.

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.