Essay, Research Paper
Jonathan Edwards was a major agitator of the Great Awakening, the rebirth of Protestant faith in North America in the middle of the 18th century. His sermon, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God , was delivered before a congregation of Protestants, as well as unconverted persons. The timeliness of Edwards’s sermon was impeccable: It was delivered when the fear of hell was predominant in the minds of Christians. Edwards acknowledged this vulnerability, which is why he chose to play the ‘hell’ card and focus his sermon on the threat of eternal damnation.
Early in his sermon, Edwards establishes that God is supreme, and that the actions of men are nothing compared to God’s will. “If God should let you go all your righteousness would have no more influence to uphold you and keep you out of hell, than a spider’s web would have to stop a fallen rock,”he said. In essence, the audience is given a terrifying image of a sovereign God who will not forgive those who have sinned, but will cast those sinners down into the pits of hell without regret. The theme of God’s supreme will seemed to emanate throughout the sermon, as did the theme of God’s anger.
The way in which Edwards described God’s anger might have confused a member of the audience as to the difference between God and Satan. Edwards’s sermon could be considered the mascot for all the bad parts of the Bible. “The Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire,” he says, employing such vivid descriptions to send the congregation an image of the ferocity of God’s wrath. His images of God’s anger and supremeness along with unbalanced biblical quotation made his central assertion seem valid.
Edwards’s central assertion is his philosophy that no mortal can control his or her own judgement. He proclaims that confessions and good deeds will not guard the sinner from the fires of hell. He also warns that those ”natural men” who aren’t necessarily wicked, but unconverted, are not safe. “Almost every natural man that hears of hell, flatters himself that he will escape it; he depends upon himself for his own security,” said Edwards. “The God that holds 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.” Emphasizing how sinners are powerless to prevent their own damnation is a vital scare tactic and an integral part of Edwards’s scheme to exploit the congregation’s fears. God is ostensibly depicted as a villainous and indifferent entity. Edwards takes every opportunity to induce the fear that one might already have been judged, and damned – a fear that Edwards depends on to achieve his goals.
Edwards’s objectives become evident as his sermon draws to a close; he stopped threatening the congregation, and began to suggest a solution to their plight. “And now you have an extraordinary opportunity,” cries Edwards. “A day wherein Christ has thrown the door of mercy wide open, and stands in calling and crying with a loud voice to poor sinners.” The door of mercy, Edwards implies, is his church. And by following him, he offers the path to salvation. He basically says, “Now that I’ve demonstrated what can happen if you don’t convert, here’s how you can be saved.” Because the Great Awakening was such a time when Protestants were relentlessly trying to convert people, Edwards is forced to close his sermon with such a sales pitch.
Since the Great Awakening was an unstable era in the Protestant church, Edwards found it appropriate to manipulate the congregation’s fears rather than to entreat its desires. Edwards did not introduce the advantages of converting to the Protestant faith, nor did he appeal to the audience’s vision of heaven and a prosperous afterlife. Though the biblical references that refer to heaven and the forgiveness of sins greatly outnumber the references to hell and the apathy of God, Edwards strategically chose to quote only those verses that threatened the audience with God’s rage. This lack of reference – obviously not a coincidence – perhaps was meant to keep him focused on his objective: scaring the audience into conversion. If Edwards had written a sermon for another time-he hadn’t had to worry about converting non-Protestants-he probably would have focused on the benefits of leading a pure life, rather than the consequences of being wicked.
344
Другие работы по теме:
On The Left Side Essay Research Paper
On the left side: The story takes place in Conn — a town in western Ireland – during the 1980s. Conn is a rather conservative town with many farmers and shop owners. All of the conservatives are sitting on the right side during Sunday Mass while the principal character and nine other sinners are sitting on the left side.
Judge Whom Essay Research Paper Judge WhomAll
Judge Whom Essay, Research Paper Judge Whom? All religions must deal with the idea of life after death. Whether their belief is that there isn?t life after death or they simply believe that everyone continues life somewhere. Two of the major religions in the world believe that there is life after death and that you must believe in God to receive everlasting life.
The Eyes Of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg In
The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald Essay, Research Paper In the novel The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, there is an important theme in the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg. These eyes watch over the events and characters of the novel like the eyes of God. Many things happen in front of the eyes of Dr. Eckleburg, like the vehicular manslaughter of Myrtle.
The Great Gatsby 10 Essay Research Paper
The Great Gatsby In the novel, The Great Gatsby, the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg represents god, the all seeing and all knowing god, which society, cannot fool.
Puritanism Essay Research Paper Puritanism Sinner
Puritanism Essay, Research Paper Puritanism Sinner’s In the Hands of an Angry God Jonathon Edwards Puritanism, a religious reform movement in the late 16th and 17th century which sought to “purify” the Church of England, Anglican Church. Puritans became noted for a spirit of moral and religious pledge that determined their whole way of life, and they sought through church reform to make their lifestyle the pattern for the whole nation.
Punishments In Dante
’s Inferno Essay, Research Paper Cindy Kenney English 355 Burn in Hell The Comedy, later renamed The Divine Comedy was written by Dante Alighieri of Florence, Italy. In the early 14th century,
Symbols In The Great Gatsby Essay Research
Paper Gatsby In the Great Gatsby, a lot of things can be looked at as symbols. The weather, Daisy’s dresses, the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg, and even the lights. By using symbols, Fitzgerald makes the story more deep, and enjoyable for some readers. Fitzgerald also uses various themes throughout his story of the Great Gatsby, like Gatsby’s “American dream.”
Scarlet Letter Essay Research Paper Patriotism and
Scarlet Letter Essay, Research Paper Patriotism and Fear Patrick Henry and Jonathan Edwards are both spectacular speakers and have the ability to influence a crowd. Henry uses his ability of persuasion to sway the Virginia House of Burgesses. Edwards uses persuasion to give a sermon directed toward sinners and natural men.
War And Heroism Essay Research Paper Athena
War And Heroism Essay, Research Paper Athena Verma English III Honors Ms.Caldwell August 28,2000 On Sunday, July 8, 1741, Jonathan Edwards, a Puritan theologian and pastor at the First Church of Northampton, MA, travels to Enfield, Connecticut and preaches Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. Jonathan Edwards is a American Congregational clergyman and theologian, born in East Windsor, Connecticut Colony.
Jonathan Edwards Essay Research Paper The Puritan
Jonathan Edwards Essay, Research Paper The Puritan man must tread lightly and avoid sins in order to enter the good graces of God. Otherwise, the undeserving man will plunge by God?s own hand into the pits of hell. Mercy is not easy to come by and those sinners who are not embraced by the kingdom of Heaven will live in eternal, painful misery.
Sinners In The Hand Of An Angr
Essay, Research Paper Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God I had just gotten in form milking the cows and serving breakfast to my family. It was a hot day in late June and I was already late for church. I bustled about the house gathering my belongings, my children, and just trying to look my Sunday best. My husband and two children were finally ready to go so we headed to our local church about a mile down the road.
The Bondage Of Sin The Scarlet Letter
) Essay, Research Paper The Bondage of Sin After reading three stories by Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter, The Minister?s Black Veil, and Young Goodman Brown, a topic of Hawthorne?s viewpoint on the bondage of sin arises, as the subject is so intently tied into each of the above stories. Hawthorne insinuates that within every human soul there lurks a dark evil side: a side that can?t resist the temptations that come to pass in every man?s life, which lead to a decline in health.
Dantes Inferno Essay Research Paper Johnson Brad
Dantes Inferno Essay, Research Paper Johnson, Brad# CRUEL PUNISHMENTS OF SINNERS IN THE RAGING INFERNO Dante Alighieri was born in Florence, Italy in 1265. In his life, he composed two major books of poetry: Vita Nuova and The Divine Comedy. The Vita Nuova is composed of love poems, sonnets, and lyrics. The Divine Comedy, is an epic poem segmented into three books, each of which recounts Dante s travels through hell, purgatory, and heaven.
Dantes Inferno Essay Research Paper Canto XThe
Dantes Inferno Essay, Research Paper Canto X: The Perils of Pride In The Inferno, Dante describes his journey through hell. Throughout his pilgrimage, Dante learns from the sinners that he meets along the way. One influential group of sinners is those in Canto X. In this Canto, Dante is warned that those filled with pride suffer eternally.
Sinners In The HAnds Of An Angry
God Essay, Research Paper The passages given from the Edwards? ?Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God? and the opening sentence of the Declaration both include many points such as the tone, diction, and syntax. The points shown throughout each sentence aims for the intent of obtaining the attention of the audience.
Christ VICTORY Essay Research Paper Christ VICTORY
Christ: VICTORY!! Essay, Research Paper Christ: VICTORY!! “It is finished!” John 19:30. What Christ is referring to here is the accomplished salvation of the people. What that means is that when we are saved,
What Makes Us Love Essay Research Paper
What Makes Us Love? What makes us love? This question has been studied for centuries by philosophers, scientists, and even writers in search of a sensible answer.
Allegory In The Divine Comedy Essay Research
Paper Dante wrote The Divine Comedy between 1308 and 1321. The Divine Comedy was written as an allegory, Which is a narrative that takes place on both a literal and a figurative or symbolic level. Dante uses himself as the main character and uses allegory to describe himself in the epic.
Evil In The Scarlet Letter Essay Research
Paper One belief that people live by is that evil is the nature of mankind, yet there are others that feel man has good intentions but those intentions can be overrun by the devil. Nathaniel Hawthorne points out that the former is true of all people in the novel The Scarlet Letter. In this novel, there are three main characters who commit evil and sinful acts, but each act is at a different degree of sinfulness (i.e. the sins get worse as the story goes a-long).
Kitty Essay Research Paper I wrote this
Kitty Essay, Research Paper I wrote this when I was 12.When the tea is brought at five o’clock, And all the curtains are drawn with care, The little kitty with bright green eyes
The Similarities And Differences Of Jonathan Edwards
And Patrick Henry Essay, Research Paper The Similarities and Differences of Jonathan Edwards and Patrick Henry convey theiThere were many similarities and differences between speech styles of the early 1700’s and the late 1700’s. Speakers were known to use persuasive techniques in these time periods to influence their audience’s opinions.
Love And Friendship Essay Research Paper Two
Love And Friendship Essay, Research Paper Two men lived, and two men died, And each saw the world through a different pair of eyes, And throughout their ventures, they often stopped to cry,
Wonderful Ezenzeleni Essay Research Paper
“Wonderful Ezenzeleni” For here the blind had eyes given to them. In the outside world they were condemned. For here the blind could make anything without the use of eyes
Church Existence Essay Research Paper The Church
Church Existence Essay, Research Paper The Church exists to call sinners out of the muck and mire of an evil world system that has pitted mother against daughter, father against son, woman against man, man against nature and all humanity against God into a transforming and healing community that can undo the damage that the world has done to us through the building of GOD Kingdom here on Earth.
Evil In The Heart Of Man Essay
, Research Paper Evil in the Heart of Man Evil is the nature of mankind, says the devil in the supernatural tale of Young Goodman Brown, which is written by one of the first men to publish a book based on symbolism. This man is named Nathaniel Hawthorne, whom is most famous for writing the masterpiece, The Scarlet Letter.
The Guardians Of The Inferno Dante Essay
, Research Paper The Guardians of the Inferno Dante’s Inferno is one of the best written works of all time because it was written as an allegory inside an excellent story. A key part of this allegory was how Dante used
Christianity In The Inferno Essay Research Paper
Shannon Burger Literature of the Western World Christianity in The Inferno In The Inferno, Dante Alighieri gives his audience a clear vivid presentation of what he as a follower of the Christian religion perceives to be hell. Dante shows that human sin is punishable in various degrees of severity and that this is dependent on the nature of one^+s sinful actions.
The Inferno Essay Research Paper The Inferno
The Inferno Essay, Research Paper The Inferno The Inferno, written by Dante, is a poem that deals with the afterlife. It deals with the ideas that actions and practices taken up in this life will determine the
Dante Essay Research Paper In Dantes Inferno
Dante Essay, Research Paper In Dante?s Inferno, Dante narrates his descent and observation of hell through the various circles and pouches. One part of this depiction is his descriptions of the various punishments that each of the different sinners has received.
Views Of Hell Puritans Vs In Essay
, Research Paper Period 4 9/11/00 Puritan Hell vs. Indian Hell In the story ? The History of the Dividing Line,? the character Bearskin presents a view of Hell that contradicts the views of Edward?s in ?Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.? Bearskin?s perception of Hell is a cold, barren place that, although completely undesirable, can be avoided and even escaped from.
Sinnners In The Hands Of An Angry
God Essay, Research Paper God In The Hands Of Angry Sinners Jonathan Edwards delivered his sermon, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, in Enfield Connecticut on July 8, 1741, the year following George Whitefield’s preaching tour which helped
A Dream Of An Angel Essay Research
Paper Heaven’s light shines in the sky Crystal tears fall from my eyes. An illusion of an angel is infront of me His angelic features in my memory. Skin so soft I would love to touch
The Man On The Train With The
Glasses Essay, Research Paper How is it that one’s thoughts can enter another’s mind? The paper reads dreadfully slow I was minding my own business She was sitting across from me
Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne Essay Research
Paper This is Earnest Sandeen’s interpretation of the Scarlet Letter not as a story about sins and sinners, but about the power of love. Sandeen describes the love shared between Hester and Arthur through the hard ship both individuals would gladly sacrifice for one another.And the fact tha you can see the power of love as they come together to fight for their relatioship.
The Severity Of Sins In The Scarlet
Letter Essay, Research Paper In his criticism of The Scarlet Letter, Harry Levin discusses the severity of the sins that are committed by Hester Prynne, Reverend Dimmesdale, and Roger Chilingworth. Although all three main characters have sinned in the novel, the ruthlessness of their sins is easily identifiable.