"1. That they were always exposed to destruction; as one that stands or walks in slippery places is always exposed to fall. This is implied in the manner of their destruction coming upon them, being represented by their foot sliding." (Edwards) Here Edwards is saying that God can cast the wicked men into hell any time He wants. Similarly, Puritans believed that you were predestined for either heaven or hell. God alone determined a person's salvation.
"Your wickedness makes you as it were heavy as lead, and to tend downwards with great weight and pressure towards hell; and if God should let you go, you would immediately sink and swiftly descend and plunge into the bottomless gulf..." (Edwards) Likewise, the Puritans believed in total depravity. Everyone is full of sin. They accepted that every part of them was sinful, their thoughts, emotions, and actions.
"And now you have an extraordinary opportunity, a day wherein Christ has thrown the door of mercy wide open, and stands in calling and crying with a loud voice to poor sinners; a day wherein many are flocking to him, and pressing into the kingdom of God. Many are daily coming from the east, west, north and south; many that were very lately in the same miserable condition that you are in, are now in a happy state, with their hearts filled with love to him who has loved them, and washed them from their sins in his own blood, and rejoicing in hope of the glory of God." Edwards paints a picture of Christ calling and crying with a loud voice His offer of grace to the sinners of the world. Puritans believed that His grace was irresistible and once you were elected for heaven, you could not escape it.
Edward's allowed the views of his time to shape his powerful sermon. He knew from the response of the Great Awakening that many people were asking what God would do with them. He gave them a memorable answer telling them of their sinful state before a Holy God. He used their Puritan beliefs about salvation and divine judgment to shape a message that would bring many into God's fold.
Edwards, Jonathan. Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God: Sermon. Louisville, KY: Pentecostal Pub., [c.1741]. Print.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
In the excerpt Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards, he demonstrates many different Puritan ideas. Edward feels just as the thoughts that are changing later on were based upon. He believes God as a deity who longs for his people to lead great, generous lives. Rather than talk gently about sinful behavior, Edwards considered it most effective to discuss God’s wrath. Rather than believing in the idea of predestination, he believed people had the power to save themselves by living a good life. His relationship with God was very strong, which encouraged him to to create better individuals by writing his sermons. The purpose is to aware of people of their behavior and conduct here on earth is for more significant more essential…
- 279 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Puritans believe that God created a plan for each person before they were born that decided if that person were destined to go to heaven or if they were destined to go to hell. This meant that God decided who would enter heaven. Those people were called the “Elect” or “Saints”. The way people noticed if one was part of the “elect” was how they carried themselves through their day to day actions. Also, If a person were married to a minister or something of the sort, that person could also be considered to be one of the “elect”. Puritans thought that only those who were destined for hell would die from diseases and terrible causes because they were not worthy. They believed that doing “good works” would not get you into heaven and that your own faith would not grant you rites into the “Pearly Gates” (The Sovereignty and Goodness of God, 9). Today, most people find that absurd. The Puritan belief was very cut throat and straight forward. Colonists who did not believe in god were punished severely. Men were also the only ones who were allowed power in the Puritan belief. This was different for Rowlandson because she did a lot of preaching to her town’s people, which was considered crazy for those…
- 1022 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
Jonathan Edwards’ “Sinners in the hands of an Angry God” approaches the audience with a call to action. Jonathan does not soften his blows of aggression towards those listening to his sermon. Edwards’ use of imagery and syntax add to the emotional effect of the sermon. “The bow of God’s wrath is bent, and the arrow made ready on the string.” This metaphor is directed to those that sin, and is used as a more blunt approach to those who do bad, than Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave”. Plato approaches the topic of ignorance with ease and softness, using an epic metaphor to compare humans finding self-knowledge to those in a cave. Edwards uses many similes as well, but with a more aggressive impact. “And the fiery…
- 257 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Why do you think that the Puritans were so scared when the preacher was giving his sermon? The use of pathos is convincing in “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” because how the preacher has no emotion in his sermon and used literary terms to scare the Puritans. First reason that the preacher has no emotion in his sermon is that he scares them to turn to God, and he is using literary terms to scare the Puritans.…
- 383 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
When first reading Jonathan Edwards’ sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” shocked readers how it started right in about the wrath of God and Hell. His diction and images create a tone of alarming immediacy – act now for your own good.…
- 278 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
I found "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" written by Jonathan Edwards as a terrible misconception. From the things I've learned through my own faith and Theology classes I've taken God is nothing like the god that Edwards portrays. Edwards's god is one of destruction and hatred. Where as the true God is full of love and compassion for his children. This sermon suggests that God is ready at any moment to condemn man to Hell. In Theology however we learned that God does not choose to send anyone to Hell, rather it is our sin that condemn us to this destiny. Edwards fills his sermon with scripture in an attempt to solidify his beliefs. However upon closer examination these quotes are bits and pieces of the complete text. These instances…
- 245 Words
- 1 Page
Satisfactory Essays -
"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" is religious speech written by Jonathan Edwards, an American person who studies God, while preaching in a crowd in Enfield and Northampton. He preached on July 8, 1741 in Enfield, Connecticut, is (a request to/a court challenge to) 'sinners' to recognize that they will be judged by God and that this judgment will be more afraid/scary and painful than they can understand. Three themes stand out as especially important for understanding Edwards's approach to his message: His (putting pictures into your mind) helped to paint scary pictures in the minds of his followers of the results they would face in the future if they didn't feel deep sorrow for past sin.…
- 119 Words
- 1 Page
Good Essays -
Jonathan Edwards shows great anger in this sermon through the use of metaphors, personification, and diction.…
- 255 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
“Sinners in the hands of an angry God” was preached by Jonathan Edwards during a time when the people were relying on science more than their saviour in heaven, a time when people were lacking in their spiritual needs. This speech opened the eyes of many, and was so powerful it may very well have been the trigger of the great awakening. But why was this speech so powerful? Why did this speech change the lives of thousands? As we can see he used plenty of persuasive techniques, he is very descriptive in his imagery and uses simple metaphors to persuade thousands to repent of their sinful ways and turn to Christ. He planted fear and guilt into their hearts. This sermon is a sermon full of anger and fright, a sermon powerful enough to make the strongest man cry and weep. But the true purpose of this sermon was to bring hope to a nation in need. It ultimately was a message of redemption, a message that Jonathan Edwards believed people needed to hear.…
- 598 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
first off, In Edwards moving speech he clearly covers the basis of God is real life and many Puritans would say that real life is absolutely nothing with out God. The Puritans believed that God has done all things. And that you had to look for it and find him such as on page 77 of “elements of literature, fifth course, literature of the United States” “-Science, reason, and observation of the physical world confirmed Edwards deeply spiritual vision of a universe filled with the presence of God-” The writer of the Sermon was Jonathan Edwards, a man who constantly observed his life and looked for God. As you can see in the…
- 1121 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
As once a founding father of the United States, Benjamin Franklin once stated, “do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out.” Though this quote might have been years later than 1741 during the time of the Great Awakening. Jonathan Edwards gave the inspiring speech “Sinners in The Hands of an Angry God” to puritans who left the church and left Edwards feeling that puritanism was in danger. He uses fear as a tactic to get the unfaithful puritans to rededicate their lives to God and gives them hope to repent for the mistakes they have made. Edwards uses frightful imagery, and violent then hopeful metaphors to get puritans who strayed away from strict religion to come back and have a second chance at a pure life.…
- 930 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
In the puritan society the citizens were known as the chosen ones, they were a blessing from God! angels. As Christian’s they followed the strict rules as puritans. “We are a people of prayer, and good works, to boot, and abide no such wickedness” (Hawthorne 1291). In their society they could not accept themselves as evil people only as good and honest…
- 942 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” is sermon that deals with the concept of wrath. Edwards states that at any moment men will be sent down to hell and they should be living in peril because, “As he that walks in slippery places is every moment is liable to fall” (Edwards 430). The only reason why they are not in hell yet is because, “God’s appointed time is not come” (Edwards 430). It is God’s judgement that casts men into hell at any moment. These statements instill a sense of fear into the audience. Edwards…
- 876 Words
- 4 Pages
Better Essays -
In the sermon “Sinner in the Hands of an Angry God,” Jonathan Edwards expresses his strong urge for the people of his congregation to desperately wake up and realize that there really is a hell, and most people are probably going to hell because of their sin. Even though this was a sermon spoken out loud, he uses many different elements of style. Throughout his sermon, he speaks in second person, uses multiple similes, diverse sentence structure, includes a happy ending, and he has a very narrow-minded view in his opinions.…
- 674 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Jonathan Edwards was a talented and inspiring man. Throughout his life, he worked as an educator, a philosopher, a scholar, a theologian, a journalist, and even as a musician. There can be no denying his hard work and his contributions to each and every one of those fields; yet the one thing that makes him stand out from all the others was his input and leadership during the First Great Awakening of 1740-1742.…
- 896 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays