from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Jonathan Edwards

Jonathan Edwards ( ) Congregational (Puritan) minister. Congregational (Puritan) minister. Called “the last Puritan.” Called “the last Puritan.” Science, reason, and observation of the physical world confirmed Edward’s deeply spiritual vision of a universe filled with the presence of God. Science, reason, and observation of the physical world confirmed Edward’s deeply spiritual vision of a universe filled with the presence of God. Entered Yale at 13 years of age. Entered Yale at 13 years of age. Known for his extremism as a pastor (very strict) resulting in his dismissal in Known for his extremism as a pastor (very strict) resulting in his dismissal in Named president of what later became Princeton University. Named president of what later became Princeton University. Died of a smallpox inoculation. Died of a smallpox inoculation.

The Great Awakening Religious revival of Puritanism. Religious revival of Puritanism. Edwards’ sermons helped to bring it about. Edwards’ sermons helped to bring it about. Began in Northampton in the 1730s and spread throughout the eastern seaboard for the next 15 years. Began in Northampton in the 1730s and spread throughout the eastern seaboard for the next 15 years. Marked by waves of mass conversions that were intensely emotional, resulting in mass hysteria. Marked by waves of mass conversions that were intensely emotional, resulting in mass hysteria.

“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” Edwards’s most famous sermon. Edwards’s most famous sermon. Originally delivered in Originally delivered in Tries to convince sinners and non- believers to accept Christ as their savior and ask for forgiveness and salvation, known as being “born again.” Tries to convince sinners and non- believers to accept Christ as their savior and ask for forgiveness and salvation, known as being “born again.” A most effective sermon: argues that those who haven’t accepted Christ live on the brink of damnation. A most effective sermon: argues that those who haven’t accepted Christ live on the brink of damnation.

Parallelism Parallelism is the repetition of words or phrases that have similar grammatical structure. Parallelism is the repetition of words or phrases that have similar grammatical structure. “The devil is waiting for them, hell is gaping for them, the flames gather and flash about them” (79). “The devil is waiting for them, hell is gaping for them, the flames gather and flash about them” (79).

Similes and Metaphors A simile is a comparison between two unlike things using the words “like” or “as.” A simile is a comparison between two unlike things using the words “like” or “as.” A metaphor is a comparison between two unlike things without using the words “like” or “as.” A metaphor is a comparison between two unlike things without using the words “like” or “as.” In order, analyze each of the similes and metaphors used in his sermon. In order, analyze each of the similes and metaphors used in his sermon. A hand over flames, dammed waters, bow and arrow, a spider, a serpent. A hand over flames, dammed waters, bow and arrow, a spider, a serpent.

Repetition Edwards heightens the effect of his sermon through repetition, repeating words or phrases for emphasis. Edwards heightens the effect of his sermon through repetition, repeating words or phrases for emphasis. “…and you have no interest in any Mediator, and nothing to lay hold of to save yourself, nothing to keep off the flames of wrath, nothing of your own, nothing that you ever have done, nothing that you can do, to induce God to spare you one moment” (81). “…and you have no interest in any Mediator, and nothing to lay hold of to save yourself, nothing to keep off the flames of wrath, nothing of your own, nothing that you ever have done, nothing that you can do, to induce God to spare you one moment” (81).