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

2. Edwards’ religious philosophy
Edwards was part of a movement in America called “The Great Awakening.”
Some Puritans thought that the church was too lenient, so they started to get stricter.
“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” Edwards’ most famous sermon, stresses of his religious philosophy, Calvinism, which supports the idea of predestination.

3. His audience
Edwards specifically addressed the members of his congregation who were not “saved by Jesus.” He calls them “natural men.”
He tries to persuade his congregation through the use of emotional appeal:
Appeals to emotions of fear, misery, helplessness, guilt, and sorrow

4. God vs Man Edwards describes God as Angry Incensed Wrathful/Vengeful
Disgusted
Edwards describes man as
Sinners
Insects
Serpents
Spiders

5. Terms to know: Define those you have not yet identified. Imagery
Symbolism
Figurative language
Bandwagon effect
Time pressure (I will explain this one after our read)
Personification
Logical fallacies

6. After completing your read, answer the following questions.
What tactic or argument does Edwards repeatedly use to appeal to his congregation?
Who is suffering the wrath of God?
How does Edward use personification? What does he personify?
To what does Edward compare wickedness?
Would this sermon work today? Why or why not?