Jonathan Edwards, Essay Example

American Literature: Jonathan Edwards – Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

Jonathan Edwards’ (1703-1758) ‘Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God’ is a sermon delivered to his congregation on July 8^th 1741 in North Hampton, Connecticut. This literary figure became popular for his sermons projecting God as a tyrant, who is always angry with people committing acts considered wrong doing, ultimately defining the characterization of sinner or wrong doer. He was considered a unique Christian philosopher and theologian for his work on warning congregations of God’s wrath, which is expressed as curses, destruction and disaster in their lives and the world (Smith, 2005).

Edwards’ (1703-1758) utilized vivid images of hell in terrifying his congregations regarding how damnation will be extended to them in hell for wrong doing. A literary device, which has been significantly used in all his works, especially, this one ‘Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God’ relates imagery. Precisely, imagery is a strong descriptive language, which appeals to the senses expecting to create an emotional impact such as fear or condemnation (Thomas, 2011).

For example, in Edwards’ (1703-1758) mission of highlighting an intimidated God in ‘Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God’ he says, “Unconverted men walk over the pit of hell on a rotten covering.” (Edwards, pp. 194- 205).  This imagery was used by the author in expressing that hell place. Emphatically, it is real.  Another vivid expression of heal in this sermon forging accountability of imagery literary device is “[the Devil]… stands waiting for them, like greedy hungry lions that see their prey, and expect to have it” (Edwards, pp 194-205).

Along ten themes inclusive of God has the authority/ ability to cast wicked people into hell any time; wicked people deserve going to hell; wicket are under God’s punishment now; Gog will not save the wicked and humans should never think that they can escape God’s wrath (Crocco,  2006).

References

Crocco, S. (2006).  Edwards’s Intellectual Legacy. New York: Cambridge University Press

Smith, J. (2005). The Princeton Companion to Jonathan Edwards, Princeton. NJ: Princeton University Press.

Thomas, N. (2011). Mental Imagery. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.