Transcript Jonathan Edwards

Jonathan Edwards
“Sinners in the Hands of an
Angry God”
Edwards’ religious philosophy
• Edwards was part of a movement in
America called “The Great Awakening.”
• Some Puritans thought that the church was
too lenient, so they started to get stricter.
• “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,”
Edwards’ most famous sermon, stresses of
his religious philosophy, Calvinism, which
supports the idea of predestination.
His audience
• Edwards specifically addressed the
members of his congregation who were not
“saved by Jesus.” He calls them “natural
men.”
• He tries to persuade his congregation
through the use of emotional appeal:
– Appeals to emotions of fear, misery,
helplessness, guilt, and sorrow
God vs Man
Edwards describes God
as
• Angry
• Incensed
• Wrathful/Vengeful
• Disgusted
Edwards describes man
as
• Sinners
• Insects
• Serpents
• Spiders
Terms to know:
Define those you have not yet identified.
• Imagery
• Symbolism
• Figurative language
• Bandwagon effect
• Time pressure (I will explain this one after our
read)
• Personification
• Logical fallacies
After completing your read,
answer the following questions.
• What tactic or argument does Edwards repeatedly
use to appeal to his congregation?
• Who is suffering the wrath of God?
• How does Edward use personification? What does
he personify?
• To what does Edward compare wickedness?
• Would this sermon work today? Why or why not?