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.

When the Puritans were listening to Edwards’ sermon, they were either screaming or crying because of the effect the techniques that he had used. Furthermore, Edwards’ speaking tone was monotone, but he used impactful words to successfully get his point across without raising or lowering his tone of voice. This represented how effective his speaking techniques were. For instance, “there is Hell’s wide gaping mouth open; and you have nothing to stand upon,” (Edwards 87) which was all said with a non-changing tone. This warning of failure represents how Edwards was feared by the Puritans by just the words he spoke. The biblical reference was taken literally by the Puritans; they thought Edwards was telling the truth about what would happen to them if they didn’t stop doing what they thought was non-sinful. Therefore, the techniques that Edwards used, could allow Edwards to convince anyone and everyone he wanted to

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

“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” is a religious speech which Jonathan Edwards gave out during his sermon in Connecticut as an appeal to sinners to recognize the sins they were committing. Readers can also identify his oration as a jeremiad, for the speaker’s regular integration of passion and the indication of an imminent destruction of society renders this text as a powerful form of a lamentation. From the very beginning of his verse, Jonathan Edwards states that within his sermon “is threatened the vengeance of God,” reiterating his firm belief that there are significant issues regarding the Puritan faith. He lists out four implications to clear off any misunderstandings from his audience, and builds up credibility by citing various

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' 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.

Jonathon Edwards maintains his audience’s attention by creating intense and meaningful similes. Edwards uses these similes as a way for his audience to understand the points he is making and adds dramatic imagery and piercing words to get the audience to consider what he is saying. The first simile he uses says this, “…they were always exposed to destruction; as one that stands or walks in slippery places is always exposed to fall” (Edwards 1). Edwards includes this quote in his sermon to provoke the readers thought. The point he is trying to make is that God’s people are exposed to destruction which is a hard to imagine so he breaks it down for his audience by saying that just as they are exposed to destruction if you walk in a slippery place you will also fall. The next memorable simile Edwards uses says this, “The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked. His wrath towards you burns like fire; he looks upon you as worthy of nothing else but to be cast into the fire…” (6). Here Edwards compares his congregation to a “loathsome insect”. Edwards does this to try and describe how God views them. He continues his claim by comparing God’s wrath on them burning like fire, which would probably spark fear in the hearts of the people that they may repent. This simile helped further Edward’s main point, that hell is inevitable. One last simile Edwards uses is this, “Your wickedness makes you as it were heavy as lead, and to tend downwards with great weight and pressure towards

There are many types of religions in the United States, such as Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Religion helps individuals find their inner self and practice certain beliefs. However, regardless of the type of religion, every individual seeks to have their sins forgiven. In Johnathan Edwards’s sermon, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Edwards is able to create a vivid imagery of what happens to individuals who commit sins. Edwards uses strong diction and imagery to make any individual repent for their sins.

The sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” is a very powerful piece. When the sermon was first released it spoke out to many individuals. Jonathan Edwards’ goal was to get the word of God out to others and make them realize what kind of evil world they live in. In the sermon, he explains things using imagery. A prominent theme communicated by the images and analogies that Edwards employs includes: trust and believe in God for he is the one keeping you from Hell.

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.

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 "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.

An analysis of the persuasive techniques of Jonathan Edwards from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

However, the source does not provide a whole picture. While the sermon was originally read aloud passionately by Edwards, I can only read the script in silence and am unable to understand the actual effect of the sermon on people. In addition, perspectives of slaves, women, Native Americans, and non-protestants are missing. Another potential problem is that “Sinners” is not a typical sermon. It differs a lot from Edwards’ other sermons in ideologies and emotions provoked so that I might not learn about typical effects sermons had on people at that time. More importantly, my present values influence my perception of the sermon. Since I have some difficulty to interpret key words like “wicked” and “fierceness of indignation”, I about

Jonathan Edwards Sermon “ Sinners in the Hands of an angry god” contributed into the Great Awakening, showing that Hell was real, and whoever defied god was put down. Edwards used dark imagery to get his our heads, the meaning that everyone is predestined and anyone can be sent to hell. Edwards says in his sermon that “ God's enemies are easily broken into pieces, they are a heap of light chaff before the whirlwind”(2). Edwards hoped that the imagery and language of his sermon would awaken audiences to the horrific reality that he believed awaited them, should they continue life without their devotion to Christ? This made many people horrified and help start the great Awakening, making Christians more aware of the power of Christ, and increase their devotion to Christ.