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

2. Author Biography
Jonathan Edwards ( ) 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.
More about the writer
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3. Philosophical Context
Philosophical context refers to an author’s underlying assumptions regarding larger questions about life and its meaning.
Being aware of an author’s philosophy helps a reader gain meaning from a text.

4. Philosophical Context
An author’s philosophy influences literary texts in a variety of ways, including
the form in which the text is written
the overreaching themes or messages the author conveys
As you read this sermon, think about which aspects of Edwards’s philosophy are directly stated and which are implied.

5. Historical Context
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.

6. Historical Context
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.

7. Historical Context
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

8. Introducing the Sermon
Click on the title to start the video.

9. Identifying Author’s Purpose
The author’s purpose is the reason that he or she is writing.
Authors may write to inform, to persuade, or to entertain.
Sometimes they state their purpose directly.
Other times, readers determine an author’s purpose by paying close attention to the details and images in the selection.
As you read, think about how and why Edwards uses certain images, and monitor your reactions to them.
Consider what reactions Edwards might want to elicit from his readers.

10. The combination of these senses creates a dramatic and vibrant world.
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
The combination of these senses creates a dramatic and vibrant world.

11. Edward’s Use of 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.

12. Repetition
In addition to imagery, Edwards also 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.

13. Identifying Author’s Purpose
From the text:
Imagery & Metaphor
“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 . . .”
In this fire-and-brimstone sermon, Edwards uses the metaphor of fire & the imagery associated with it to link his listeners’ experience of fire to the idea of burning in the fires of Hell because of their sins.
Use a chart like the one on the next slide to record Edwards’s images and explore how they help him to achieve his purpose.

14. Imagery & Author’s Purpose
In the first column of your chart, record Edwards’s images.
In the second column, explore how they help him achieve his purpose by explaining how and why it is used.
Finally, in the third column record your reaction or the reaction you would expect his audience to have to Edwards’s use of imagery.
Imagery & Author’s Purpose Chart
How/Why It’s Used
Reaction
Image
“the flames gather and flash about them ”
to show what will happen to “natural men”
I find the image frightening.

15. Check Your Comprehension
Option A: Locate three statements from the sermon that when taken together provide an accurate summary.
“That world of misery, that lake of burning brimstone, is extended abroad under you.”
“Thus all you that never passed under a great change of heart are in the hands of an angry God.”
“Consider the fearful danger you are in.”
Option B: Write three statements of your own that summarize the main idea of the selection.

16. Introductory Journal Exercise
Edwards’s convictions put him at odds with society.
Would you risk being an outsider for your beliefs?
Why or why not?
What beliefs of yours do you consider most important?
Do you think it is necessary to persuade others to share those beliefs?

17. Imagery & Author’s Purpose Chart
Image How/Why It’s Used Reaction
fire pent up in their own hearts is struggling to get out
to show the inherently evil nature of humans and people’s lack of control over their behavior
That’s overwhelming pressure.
Discussion Question #4:
Author’s Overall Purpose =
God is all-powerful and can choose to send humans to the fiery bowels of hell if he so chooses. Humans are fragile and can do nothing to stop God’s anger except to be reborn.
hell’s wide gaping mouth open
instill fear
Temptation seems ever present and unavoidable.
nothing between you and hell but the air
to show need for God’s intervention and how ephemeral the natural world is
Mortals are so fragile it’s a wonder people survive at all.
if God should withdraw His hand
God, not our own efforts, support us
I must trust God to hold me up.
wrath of God is like great waters that are dammed for the present
to show God’s restraint and power
I don’t want to incur the force of God’s wrath.
Image: We’re nothing but thin air and empty shadows.
How/Why It’s Used: to show that man’s physical nature is insubstantial
My Reaction: The safety of natural phenomena is an illusion.
Image: You hang by a slender thread, with the flames of divine wrath flashing about it.
How/Why It’s Used: show fragility of humans
My Reaction: Flames of a divine wrath are just as scary as the flames of hell.
Image:the thin air to hold up a person that is suspended in it
How/Why It’s Used: to show weakness of nature
My Reaction: Physical things are so fragile.
a spider’s web would be unable to stop a fallen rock
as an analogy to a person’s own efforts
Strength comes from God not from my inner self.
Christ has thrown the doors of mercy wide open.
People who ask God to save them will be saved.
I want to be one of the chosen.

18. Closure Journal Exercise
Edwards’s beliefs motivate him to try to change the lives of others.
Do you think this desire is common among people with strong beliefs?
Why or why not?
Edwards’s use of repeated words and images helps convey his message by arousing fear in his listeners.
Do you see his approach as effective?
Explain why or why not, giving examples from the text.
How would you try to convince someone to change his or her behavior?
What words and images would you use make your plea dramatic?