SINNERS IN THE HANDS OF AN ANGRY GOD By: Jonathan Edwards

Meet Jonathan Edwards  Jonathan Edwards was a Puritan theologian, preacher, and philosopher who captured congregations with his “preaching of terror.”  Studied at Yale at age 13  Edwards was one of the first preachers of the time period to claim that God had control of human destiny.  His sermons were reproduced and read all across Britain and America.

Meet Jonathan Edwards  By 1750, some Puritans objected to Edwards extreme teachings and removed him from the pulpit.  Later, he became president at Princeton University. He died of smallpox shortly after being appointed.

Literary Elements  Imagery: Look up the definition of imagery on p. 89.  What frightening images occur in the first two paragraphs? To what sense do they appeal?  List five additional images that Edwards uses in the sermon.

Imagery  Is Edwards style effective? Why or why not?  Look at the painting on p. 91. Does this painting capture the tone of Edwards sermon?

Repetition  In the sermon, Edwards repeats the word “nothing” several times. What is the effect of repetition?  Does Edwards achieve the same effect?  What effect does Edwards achieve by using the word “you”? How would the effect change if he used the word “sinner”?