The illustration was composed as a response to the six hour sermon entitled “Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God.” Delivered by Jonathan Edwards, the sole purpose of the sermon was to inflict so much inner turmoil in each listener that they would seek the perfect Christian life. In this specific drawing, the artist is able to interpret a metaphor within the sermon and create in into a literal action. Because of the tone, mood, and the similarity of ideas/concepts, the illustration is able to portray the same message that Edwards achieved in his fire and brimstone sermon.
The illustration can be viewed with a cautionary message to the audience. The interpretation taken is that God is watching to see your downfall, not your redemption. So when
This book provides seven rich chapters illustrations and metaphors which bring out the core of the book. The two strengths embraced in this survey consist of: the well-crafted illustrations on the silent pictures and the masterful metaphors which capture the sermonic distinction of black preaching.
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
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, 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.
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
“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.
On October 5, 1703, in East Windsor Connecticut, Timothy and Esther Edwards welcomed their new son, Jonathan Edwards, into the world. From a young age, Jonathan was provided with an excellent education from a highly qualified individual - his father was a minister and a college prepatory tutor. Jonathan Edwards was accepted at Yale college just before he turned thirteen. He was interested in a wide variety of studies including natural science, the mind, the scriptures, and theology. He graduated from Yale in four years as valedictorian and obtained his masters three years later. Unable to accept the “horrible doctrine” (Edwards), of predestination, Edwards finally found peace and accepted this controversial teaching in 1721. He went on to assistant pastor a large church in Northampton with his grandfather. The same year, he married Sarah Pierpont whose piety he had long admired (..). Two years later, when his grandfather passed away, Edwards became sole minister of the Northampton congregation. However, after many years of converting the lost and participation in the Great Awakening as a key preacher, his congregation began to weary of his intense sermons and his habit of calling out sinner by name from the pulpit. However, his most famous sermon was first delivered in Enfield, Connecticut on July 8th, 1741 and was entitled, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”. Edwards’ use of rhetoric in this message has been admired
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 Hand of an Angry God", by Jonothan Edwards, he uses imagery, similes, and personification to put forward his claim that those who have angered the Creator with several sins will be hell-bound. He wants to show the consequences of angering God and what will be their fate.
Being the 1730s, religion was waning as the generations grew up. Fear was one of the ways to revitalize religious fervor. Not knowing where God’s favor lay drove many to the Puritan faith especially Edwards’s sermons. Additionally, using fiery diction such as “anger, wrath, incensed, fierceness, ect.” Edwards further enhanced his effectiveness in appealing to the audience’s religious faith. However, one of Edward’s strong points in his sermon was using allusions to convey just how infuriated God really was. In his 4th paragraph, Edwards compares water and dams to how the “floods of God’s vengeance have been withheld; but your guilt in the meantime is constantly increasing, and you are acquiring more wrath” (2). At any moment God could unleash his fury. With that notion, Edwards tries to emphasize that life is full of uncertainty. For the unconverted and for the sinner, perdition is just around the corner. They are “hanging by a slender thread, with flames of divine wrath flashing about it” (2) that is ready to be burnt
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.
The speaker of “Sinners In The Hand of an Angry God” is Jonathan Edwards a preacher and a pastor. The occasion of the story is to inform the reader to value life and don’t take God lightly as he is the creator of heaven and earth. The sermon tells us the audience as christian and sinners are supposed to fear God because he will judge you on the day he comes to save people. The purpose of the sermon tells the readers that being in hell is a terrifying, painful, and scary place to be and God is the only way to escape that. God chooses to hang you over the pits of hell and drop you in or at any moment.
Both stories focus on God’s approval in the Puritans’ lives, although in Jonathan Edwards’ “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, God is depicted as a ruthless power who burns sinners in Hell, while William Bradford’s “Of Plymouth Plantation” depicts God as a loving, helpful God that blesses the settlers with survival. First, in “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, God is depicted as angry and drops sinners into Hell when the author says that “Unconverted men walk over the pit of hell on a rotten covering..” (Edwards 126). Moreover, humans are represented as spiders dangling over the burning pits of Hell and God’s hand is shown holding sinners over Hell: “The God that hold you over the pit of hell..” (Edwards 126). Conversely, a loving
The harsh and unyielding tone of “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” is created by the powerful imagery and the address of the congregation.