Essay On Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God

Don’t Rely on Yourself

(A Discussion of Jonathan Edwards’ Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God) In today’s world, cultures are separated by religion. Some people are polytheistic, some are Buddhist, and others are Jewish. The religion that Jonathan Edwards belonged to was Christianity, in which he preached sermons, often begging people to repent of their sins. While his sermon that was called Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God was a bit aggressive, he made several great points, which made it a wonderfully persuasive talk. “Jonathan Edwards is America's most penetrating, rigorous, and subtle theologian, as well as its most literarily accomplished and influential.” (Schwarz). Edwards used three methods, which were using powerful words,

When he spoke, others had no choice but to listen to the words that he presented to them. He often spoke in loud volumes, clutching the eyes of wandering faces. “The God that hold you over the pit of Hell, much as one holds a spider or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked…” (89). The words spewing from Edwards’ mouth during his sermon made sure that every person’s full focus was on him and him alone. “Of course, there's a difference between hearing and listening, and all of us could use practice with the latter.” (Onderko). With hearing and listening, however, Edwards made sure that there was no difference, as everyone around him heard every word with an intent heart. Lastly, in Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Edwards uses the method of personal speaking. He could have a audience with hundreds of people and make it feel as though you were the only person there listening. “God stands ready to pity you” (89). While he was often times talking to a large group, he used words that were direct towards a single member of the congregation, not using plural words. “ It implies, that they were always exposed to sudden unexpected destruction.” (Enfield). Edwards was an astonishing speaker because he was able to grasp the concept of getting every person’s attention, and keeping