Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

Background Information Important role in the shaping of The Great Awakening (1730-1755( Grandfather of Aaron Burr Was the fifth of eleven children He entered Yale College in 1716, at just under the age of thirteen. He was a scholar-pastor his rule being thirteen hours of study a day.

The Great Awakening A series of several religious revivals Began in the 1730’s

George Whitefield One of the major ministers during this first revival (in addition to Edwards) was George Whitefield One of the founders of Methodism.

He was dismissed as pastor in 1750 because his sermons were too extreme; he “called out” those in the congregation who were leading lives “relapsing into sin.” Ironically, Edwards died of a smallpox vaccination, a modern medical procedure many Puritans considered sinful.

On the one hand, Edwards believed “in reason and learning, the value of independent intellect, and the power of the human will.” VS. “On the other hand, he believed in the lowliness of human beings in relation to God’s majesty and the ultimate futility of merely human efforts to achieve salvation.” “Edwards, as ‘the last Puritan,’ stood between Puritan America and modern America. Tragically, he fit into neither world.”

Structure and Delivery of a Puritan Sermon 1. Epigraph-reading of a Biblical epigraph, explanation of its meaning and its Biblical context. 2. Exposition- demonstration of scriptural evidence, reasoning, establishing the validity of the doctrine

Structure cont. 3. Application-statement of how the doctrine applies to one’s personal, spiritual and family lives and to the immediate community. 4. Epilogue-call to action, emotional appeal.

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God (1741) Sermon written by Edwards and preached on July 8, 1741 “Their foot shall slide in due time.” Deuteronomy 32:35 (5th book of the Bible)

“Fire and Brimstone” tradition

Parallel between the Puritans and the Israelites (chosen by God to be God’s first followers) “Vengeance of God on the wicked, unbelieving Israelites”

Themes Imminence of destruction Seeds of destruction are there, just momentarily stayed, restrained by God. The danger of death and damnation that faces the unconverted

Imagery Figurative or descriptive language in a literary work used by the author to create a mental or sensory image in the reader.

In creating effective images, writers use sensory details. Literary Elements Imagery – The “word pictures” that writers create to evoke an emotional response. In creating effective images, writers use sensory details.

Literary Elements Metaphor – a figure of speech that compares or equates two seemingly unlike things. In contrast to a simile, a metaphor implies the comparison instead of stating it directly; hence there is no use of connectives such as like or as.

Literary Elements Repetition – The recurrence of sounds, words, phrases, lines, or stanzas in a speech or piece of writing. Repetition increases the sense of unity in a work and can call attention to particular ideas.

Questions Identify the main shift towards the end of the sermon. What is the effect of this shift? Identify some messages, images, or phrases that Edwards repeats frequently. What is the purpose of this repetition? What is the effect? Some scholars have argued that Edwards’ preaching reflected the impact of life on the frontier. Do you see any signs of this in “Sinners”?