Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God Analysis
Jonathan Edwards's sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” delivers the dogma that only the mercy of God can save one from being condemned to Hell. Edwards appealed to his followers’ fear as a way of guiding his flock towards what he saw as the correct principles of Christian faith; the intensely terrifying metaphors of the sermon were his trademark.
He bases his sermon from Deuteronomy 32:35 "Their foot shall slide in due time" (NAAL 425), which equates in layman terms as “give them enough rope and they will hang themselves.” The quote suggests the idea of a spiral into Hell, setting the mood for the dark sermon to come. "In due time" implies that impending damnation is not only imminent but assured as well.
“There is nothing that …show more content…
It paints a picture of ‘repent or die’, like a divine firing squad is waiting for the go to fire upon the sinners. There is no room to bargain when the Lords hand is on the trigger for his ruling is swift and harsh.
It is evident that Edwards held humankind in the lowest regard. He portrays man as an insignificant bug that is lucky to not be squashed under God’s thumb. He refers to man as “…a spider or some loathsome insect over the fire, (God) abhors you” (NAAL 431). Class and station do not affect the Lord’s view of man, Edwards refers to royalty as “feeble, despicable worms of the dust” (NAAL 432).
Jonathan Edwards hoped that the imagery and message of his sermon would awaken his audience to the reality of their predestination to Hell. For all the damnation he warns, there is a ray of light. Though it is God’s will that keeps man from the depths of Hell; humanity has a chance to change their ways and return to Him. "Therefore let everyone that is out of Christ, now awake and fly from the wrath to come" (NAAL 436). Edwards indirectly gives a sense of hope to those currently out of Christ. Only by returning to Christ can one escape the stark fate of the
He bases his sermon from Deuteronomy 32:35 "Their foot shall slide in due time" (NAAL 425), which equates in layman terms as “give them enough rope and they will hang themselves.” The quote suggests the idea of a spiral into Hell, setting the mood for the dark sermon to come. "In due time" implies that impending damnation is not only imminent but assured as well.
“There is nothing that …show more content…
It paints a picture of ‘repent or die’, like a divine firing squad is waiting for the go to fire upon the sinners. There is no room to bargain when the Lords hand is on the trigger for his ruling is swift and harsh.
It is evident that Edwards held humankind in the lowest regard. He portrays man as an insignificant bug that is lucky to not be squashed under God’s thumb. He refers to man as “…a spider or some loathsome insect over the fire, (God) abhors you” (NAAL 431). Class and station do not affect the Lord’s view of man, Edwards refers to royalty as “feeble, despicable worms of the dust” (NAAL 432).
Jonathan Edwards hoped that the imagery and message of his sermon would awaken his audience to the reality of their predestination to Hell. For all the damnation he warns, there is a ray of light. Though it is God’s will that keeps man from the depths of Hell; humanity has a chance to change their ways and return to Him. "Therefore let everyone that is out of Christ, now awake and fly from the wrath to come" (NAAL 436). Edwards indirectly gives a sense of hope to those currently out of Christ. Only by returning to Christ can one escape the stark fate of the