Topic > A literature review of Jonathan Edward's sermon, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

A congregational minister who was influenced by strict Calvinist theology, Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, ” highlights the fragility and problematic situation that human beings find themselves in every day as they struggle to create a division between themselves and “the pit of hell”. Edwards uses this topic to warn the readers/audience of the risky future they are leading if they do not follow God's beliefs. Jonathan uses fear, violence, as well as guilt and pity to attract the audience with an overwhelming tone . Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Edwards, at the beginning of his speech, introduces the general essence of how human beings are helpless in their descent into hell and how God is their only answer and hope to escape the miserable fate that they all share. He uses statements that cast a feeling of fear in his audience by implying that “natural men are held in the hand of God” over hell and that “hell is wide open before them” with “gathered and blazing flames.” ] around them. " Jonathan also warns the audience using personification that hell is ready to "swallow them up," while "fire... [is] struggling to break out." His use of personification to strike fear into the audience warns the general public about how May God be the ultimate steward of every individual's future and may no mediator stop God's decision. The excessive use of fear at the beginning of his sermon draws the audience's attention as he prepares to descend deeper into his belief about the "pit of hell". Jonathan then uses personification after personification as well as anaphora to create a conjugated idea, at the same time, emphasizing his idea that God is the omnipotent controller of people's future. He uses anaphora to impose an emphasis on the fact that "it is only the power and mere pleasure of God that sustains you." The anaphora “There is the terrible pit of the burning flames of God's wrath; hell; and you have nothing to lean on, nor anything to hold on to, there is nothing between you and hell but the air,” urges the audience to believe in the powers of God and that it is “the power and the simple pleasure of God keeping you up." Edward uses his passion and use of personification and anaphora to exemplify to the audience that we must believe in God and his judgment. The passionate and fearful words that envelop the meaning of the section capture the audience's attention, which in turn creates a powerfully persuasive environment for Edward's arguments. Next, Jonathan makes use of the persuasive setting and engages the audience's guilt and remorse in the sermon, using recognizable and violent diction in the next sections. His appeal to the public states that "if God would let you go," then "your sound constitution, your care and prudence, and best expedient, and all your righteousness, would no longer have influence to support you and keep you out." of hell”, showing the public the danger and risks of unleashing “the wrath of God”. Connecting with people on a personal level with fear moves your audience to say they take action towards their spiritual connection with God and creates an extremely powerful persuasion effect that solidifies their previous claims. The audience's overwhelmed reaction and personal connection to Jonathan Edwards convey a persuasive tone that prompted a reaction from the audience themselves. As he proceeds with the rest of his sermons, Jonathan continues to create an atmosphere of fear.