1. from “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards

2. Objectives: To develop vocabulary and word identification skills To use a variety of reading strategies to comprehend a sermon To increase knowledge of other cultures and to connect common elements across cultures To express and support responses to the text To analyze literary elements To increase knowledge of the rules of grammar and usage

3. Background for Understanding “Hell-fire and Brimstone”, “The Great Awakening” Theologian and Puritan preacher Brilliant Academic Assistant to his grandfather in Massachusetts Eventually dismissed President of College of New Jersey (Princeton University)

4. Literary Focus Sermon –A speech given from a pulpit in a house of worship, usually as part of a religious service –Can be instructional or inspiring –Expresses a central message or point of view

5. Reading Strategy Context –The surrounding words and phrases in a sentence –Provide clues to the meanings of unfamiliar words

6. Building Vocabulary Omnipotent – adj. –All-powerful; all knowing Ineffable – adj. –Inexpressible; unable to be spoken Dolorous – adj. –Sad; mournful

7. Vocabulary… Many people believe God is the only true omnipotent being. The coach had an ineffable reaction to the team’s last second victory. The murder trial was marked by the dolorous cries of the victim’s family.

8. Grammar & Style Positive – used when a comparison is not being made –Tom is fat. Comparative – used when comparing two (2) things (more or –er) –Tom is fatter than Tim. –Tom is more intelligent than Tim. Superlative – used when comparing more than two things (most or –est) –Tom is the fattest of the three. –Tom is the most intelligent of the three.

9. Grammar & Style PositiveComparative (2) Superlative (+3) QuicklyMore Quickly Most Quickly BadWorseWorst GoodBetterBest FancyFancierFanciest http://www.grammar-monster.com/lessons/comparatives_lessons.htm http://www.stclaresenglish.net/langprac/compstu1.htm

10. from “Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God”

11. Review: Edwards used his sermons to frighten his congregation The only hope of salvation is through Christian rebirth God is an all-powerful being Edwards believes the members of his congregation are aware of their sins Those who do not go to heaven will envy those who do Those who have not converted are “dead in sin” Edwards uses vivid imagery to describe God’s wrath Edwards becomes hopeful toward the end of the sermon Would sermons of this nature be very popular today?