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from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Jonathan Edwards

From Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Jonathan Edwards

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from Sinners in the Hands of anAngry God

Jonathan Edwards

More about the writer

[End of Section]

Author Biography

Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) was not merely a stern zealous preacher. He was a brilliant,

thoughtful, and complicated man.

Science, reason, and observation of the physical world confirmed Edwards’s deeply spiritual vision of a universe filled with the presence of God.

Philosophical context refers to an author’s underlying assumptions regarding larger questions about life and its meaning.

Being aware of an author’s philosophy helps a reader gain meaning from a text.

Philosophical Context

An author’s philosophy influences literary texts in a variety of ways, including

• the form in which the text is written

• the overreaching themes or messages the author conveys

As you read this sermon, think about which aspects of Edwards’s philosophy are directly stated and which are implied.

Philosophical Context

Jonathan Edwards delivered this sermon at a time when colonists started to find answers to life’s questions through science . . .

rather than religion.The Granger Collection, New York

Historical Context

Some Puritans were abandoning their faith and not attending regular church services.

In order to boost church membership, Puritan officials had softened the rules and, in Edwards’s mind, allowed less-than-desirable candidates to join the church.

Historical Context

• knew about the Gospel, that is, the biblical accounts of Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection

The “natural men” Edwards was trying to awaken were those in the congregation who

• had never made a personal commitment to Jesus

• were complacent in their religious tradition

Historical Context

Click on the title to start the video.

Introducing the Sermon

Identifying Author’s Purpose

• The author’s purpose is the reason that he or she is writing. • Authors may write to inform, to persuade, or to entertain. • Sometimes they state their purpose directly. • Other times, readers determine an author’s purpose by

paying close attention to the details and images in the selection.

• As you read, think about how and why Edwards uses certain images, and monitor your reactions to them. • Consider what reactions Edwards might want to elicit

from his readers.

Writers often create vivid experiences for their readers by using imagery, language that appeals to the senses.

Imagery describes

tastes sights

textures

sounds

smells

Imagery

The combination of these senses creates a dramatic and vibrant world.

In his sermon, Edwards uses terrifying imagery.

He wants his listeners to experience the horrors he believes they will encounter if they do not repent of their sins and obey God’s laws.

“The devil is waiting for them , hell is gaping for them, the flames gather and flash about them, and would fain lay hold on them, and swallow them up. . . .”

Edward’s Use of Imagery

In addition to imagery, Edwards also uses repetition to emphasize his points.

Consider how repetition might affect a listener and how it contributes to Edwards’s purpose.

“. . . held in the hand of God, over the pit of hell; they have deserved the fiery pit, and are already sentenced to it. . . .”

As you read, record images and words that Edwards uses repeatedly, such as wrath and descriptions of “the pit of hell.”

“. . . are actually suffering the fierceness of His wrath in hell. . . .”

Repetition

Identifying Author’s Purpose

In this fire-and-brimstone sermon, Edwards uses the metaphor of fire & the imagery associated with it to link his listeners’ experience of fire to the idea of burning in the fires of Hell because of their sins.

Use a chart like the one on the next slide to record Edwards’s images and explore how they help him to achieve his purpose.

“O Sinner! Consider the fearful danger you are in: It is a great furnace of wrath, a wide and bottomless pit, full of the fire of wrath . . .”

Imagery & Author’s Purpose Chart

How/Why It’s UsedImage

“the flames gather and flash about them. . . .”

to show what will happen to “natural men”

I find the image frightening.

Reaction

Imagery & Author’s Purpose

In the first column of your chart, record Edwards’s images. In the second column, explore how they help him achieve his purpose

by explaining how and why it is used. Finally, in the third column record your reaction or the reaction you

would expect his audience to have to Edwards’s use of imagery.

Check Your Comprehension

Option A: Locate three statements from the sermon that when taken together provide an accurate summary. “That world of misery, that lake of burning brimstone, is

extended abroad under you.” “Thus all you that never passed under a great change of

heart . . . are in the hands of an angry God.” “Consider the fearful danger you are in.”

Option B: Write three statements of your own that summarize the main idea of the selection.

Introductory Journal Exercise

• Edwards’s convictions put him at odds with society. • Would you risk being an outsider for your beliefs? • Why or why not?

• What beliefs of yours do you consider most important?• Do you think it is necessary to persuade others to share

those beliefs?• Why or why not?

Imagery & Author’s Purpose ChartImage How/Why It’s Used Reaction

fire pent up in their own hearts is struggling to get out

to show the inherently evil nature of humans and people’s lack of control over their behavior

That’s overwhelming pressure.

hell’s wide gaping mouth open

instill fear Temptation seems ever present and unavoidable.

nothing between you and hell but the air

to show need for God’s intervention and how ephemeral the natural world is

Mortals are so fragile it’s a wonder people survive at all.

if God should withdraw His hand

God, not our own efforts, support us

I must trust God to hold me up.

a spider’s web would be unable to stop a fallen rock

as an analogy to a person’s own efforts

Strength comes from God not from my inner self.

Christ has thrown the doors of mercy wide open.

People who ask God to save them will be saved.

I want to be one of the chosen.

wrath of God is like great waters that are dammed for the present

to show God’s restraint and power

I don’t want to incur the force of God’s wrath.

Discussion Question #4:Author’s Overall Purpose =

God is all-powerful and can choose to send humans to the fiery bowels of hell if he so chooses. Humans are fragile and

can do nothing to stop God’s anger except to be reborn.

Closure Journal Exercise

• Edwards’s beliefs motivate him to try to change the lives of others. • Do you think this desire is common among people with strong

beliefs? • Why or why not?

• Edwards’s use of repeated words and images helps convey his message by arousing fear in his listeners.• Do you see his approach as effective?

• Explain why or why not, giving examples from the text.

• How would you try to convince someone to change his or her behavior?

• What words and images would you use make your plea dramatic?