“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” By Jonathon Edwards

from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Vocabulary incensed adj.: infuriated; angry. prudence n.: carefulness. inconceivable adj.: unimaginable; beyond understanding. loathsome adj.: arousing hatred. mitigation n.: moderation; softening. 2

from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Vocabulary The word incensed means “infuriated” or “angry.” hunger? a storm? The incensed animal chattered loudly and rattled its cage to show its agitation. animal noises? What might have caused such a reaction? 3

from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Vocabulary Incensed by his plummeting stocks, Mr. Wilkes demanded a meeting with his financial advisor. Which of these words best describes Mr. Wilkes? a. ecstatic b. embarrassed c. furious 4

from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Vocabulary The word prudence means “carefulness.” Known for his prudence and enthusiasm, Ricky has become the favored neighborhood babysitter. Do you think Ricky uses good judgment when on the job? 5

from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Vocabulary Much to her parents’ surprise, Janice demonstrated financial prudence in her first semester at college. Which of these does not sound like something Janice would do? a. invest in a “get rich quick” scheme b. follow a monthly budget c. buy merchandise at thrift shops 6

from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Vocabulary If something is inconceivable, it is unimaginable or beyond understanding. Gilbert stunned the crowd with his inconceivable victory against all odds. Was Gilbert favored to win? 7

from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Vocabulary There is an inconceivable weather pattern moving across the tip of southern Florida. Which of these scenes could be part of that weather pattern? B A C 8

from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Vocabulary The word loathsome means “arousing hatred.” Loathsome feelings resulted in damage to the car’s windshield. Was the damage a product of good will or of ill intent? 9

from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Vocabulary “Will my grade be affected if I refuse to handle loathsome creatures?” Jerome asked his biology teacher. B C A To which of these creatures might Jerome be referring? 10

from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Vocabulary The word mitigation means “moderation” or “softening.” Mass transit has provided a welcome mitigation of our city’s terrible traffic congestion. Why was mass transit a good choice for the city? 11

from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Vocabulary The condemned criminal begged the judge for a mitigation of his sentence. What is the criminal requesting? a. a less severe sentence b. the opportunity to testify c. a new jury trial [End of Section] 12

from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards The Granger Collection, New York How can people’s beliefs affect their actions? 13

from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Meet the Writer 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. 14

from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Build Background Jonathan Edwards delivered this sermon at a time when colonists started to find answers to life’s questions through science . . . The Granger Collection, New York rather than religion. 15

from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Build Background 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. 16

from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Build Background The “natural men” Edwards was trying to awaken were those in the congregation who knew about the Gospel, that is, the biblical accounts of Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection had never made a personal commitment to Jesus were complacent in their religious tradition [End of Section] 17

from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Introducing the Sermon “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 . . .” 18

from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Introducing the Sermon In this fire-and-brimstone sermon, Edwards uses the metaphor of fire to link his listeners’ experience of fire to the idea of burning in the fires of Hell because of their sins. [End of Section] 19

from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Literary Focus: Imagery Writers often create vivid experiences for their readers by using imagery, language that appeals to the senses. Imagery describes sounds sights tastes smells textures 20

from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Literary Focus: Imagery In his sermon, Edwards uses terrifying imagery. “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. . . .” 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. [End of Section] 21

from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Literary Focus: Repetition Find It in Your Reading Edwards uses repetition to emphasize his points. 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. . . .” “. . . held in the hand of God, over the pit of hell; they have deserved the fiery pit, and are already sentenced to it. . . .” Consider how repetition might affect a listener and how it contributes to Edwards’s purpose. 22

from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Reading Focus: Identifying Author’s Purpose The author’s purpose is the reason that he or she is writing. Authors may write to inform to persuade to entertain to express oneself 23

from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Reading Focus: Identifying Author’s Purpose Sometimes an author states his or her purpose directly. The Granger Collection, New York O sinner! Consider the fearful danger you are in. . . . Other times, readers identify an author’s purpose by paying close attention to the details and images in the selection. O sinner! Consider the fearful danger you are in. . . . As you read, think about how and why the images are used. Consider what reactions Edwards might want from his readers. 24

from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Reading Focus: Identifying Author’s Purpose Into Action: Use a chart to record Edwards’s images and explore how they help him achieve his purpose. Into Action: Author’s Purpose Chart How/Why It’s Used My Reaction Image to show what will happen to “natural men” “the flames gather and flash about them. . . .” I find the image frightening. [End of Section] 25

Study Sheet for “The Puritan Worldview” Selections (pp.93-115) Front Back Literary Terms Write the terms and definitions (pp. 95,105) Metaphor Implied Metaphor Inversion Imagery Author's Purpose Repetition Reading Focus (pp. 105 and 112) As you read, use this chart to record Edwards’s images and explore how they help him to achieve his purpose. After reading, highlight patterns and write a sentence that identifies the author’s overall purpose. Think Critically - Answer the questions using the P.I.E. format: (Point, Information, Explanation) 1. Why do you think people were persuaded to change their lives as a result of Edwards’ sermon? (Consider what he wants them to do and why, and the emotions he appeals to in the first and last paragraphs) 2. What conclusions can you draw about the spiritual beliefs and values of the people who belonged to Edwards’s congregation? Extend Interpretation - Create two extended examples: (Point, Information, Explanation, Transition Word or Phrase, Point, Information, Explanation) 3. In your view, is Jonathan Edwards’s conception of God consistent with Anne Bradstreet’s conception of God? Image How/Why It’s Used My Reaction