Jonathan Edwards's Sinner In The Hands Of An Angry God

During the 1700’s people in America were experiencing the great awaking. Many ministers in this period used rhetorical appeals to get across to their congregation. Jonathan Edwards was one of the most well know pastors during this time. In 1741, he preached a sermon-later titled Sinner in the Hands of an Angry God-to his congregation by using rhetorical appeals he got his point across to many unconverted men. Edwards uses rhetorical appeals: pathos, ethos, and logos to create rhetorical appeals. by using these appeals Edwards is able to reach out to his congregation and get them to realize that they are unsaved from the wrath of God, and the fiery pits of Hell. One of the rhetorical appeals that Edwards uses in his sermon is pathos. In the

An emotional appeal evokes anger, laughter, sadness, fear, joy, pride, etc. in the reader or listener. ("Using"13). One of the rhetorical appeals that Edwards use in his sermon is fear "pathos". By using fear, he is able to get his point across to his congregation in a clearer manner. "The pit is prepared, the fire is made ready, the furnace is now hot, ready to receive them; the flames do now rage and glow. The glittering sword is whet and held over them, and the pit hath opened its mouth under them..."(Edwards 41). By placing the unconverted men in fear Edwards can grasp their undivided attention. Edwards got them to see just how real and horrible that Hell is, and just how easy it is to be cast down into the fiery pit. Another use of pathos is

Logos is when the speaker or writer appeals to the audience’s logic by constructing a well-reasoned argument. ("Using"13). One way the Jonathan Edwards uses logos is by telling his congregation the cause and effects if their actions in this life. "”It is everlasting wrath. It would be dreadful to suffer this fierceness and wrath of all mighty God one moment; but you must suffer it to all eternity.”(Edwards 43). By committing sin in their mortal lives without being converted, the unsaved people will spent their eternal life’s burring in the fiery pits of Hell. Another way Edwards uses logos is by getting his congregation to use common sense. "Many that were very lately in the same condition that you are in are now in a happy state, with their hearts filled with love to ilk that has loved them, and washed them from their sins in his own blood, and rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. How awful is it to be left behind at such a day! To see so many others feasting, while you are pining and perishing! To see so many rejoicing and singing for joy of heart, while you have cause to mourn for sorrow of heart, and howl for vexation of spirit.”(Edwards 44). By using logos Edwards gets the congregation to question their selves. If they can have such great happiness by trusting in God, why wouldn’t they be