“Sinners in

the Hands of
an Angry
God”
 For Edwards, science, reason, and observation
of the universe confirmed for him the existence
of God.
 A brilliant thinker and speaker, Edwards entered
Yale at 13 and became a minister 12 years later.
 His passionate, yet frightening, sermons helped
to bring about The Great Awakening,
 a time when many who attended church were not
“saved” or could testify to an emotional
encounter with God and His grace.
 “Unregenerate” Christians
were those who attended church and accepted
church teachings but had not been “born again”
by God’s grace.
 He was dismissed as
pastor in 1750 because
his sermons were too
extreme; he “called out”
those in the congregation
who were leading lives
“relapsing into sin.”
 Ironically, Edwards died
of a smallpox vaccination,
a modern medical procedure
many Puritans considered
sinful.
Writers often create vivid experiences for their readers by
using imagery, language that appeals to the senses.
Imagery describes

sights sounds
tastes
textures smells

The combination of these senses creates a dramatic and

vibrant world.
In his sermon, Edwards uses terrifying imagery.

“The devil is waiting for them , hell is

gaping for them, the flames gather and
flash about them, and would fain lay
hold on them, and swallow them
up. . . .”

He wants his listeners to experience the horrors he

believes they will encounter if they do not repent of
their sins and obey God’s laws.
Imagery
Personification
Personification
Metaphor
Simile
Simile
metaphor
Imagery
Simile
Simile
Imagery/ metaphor
Simile
Simile
Simile
Simile
Simile
metaphor
In addition to imagery, Edwards also uses repetition to
emphasize his points.
As you read, record “. . . are actually suffering the fierceness
images and words that of His wrath in hell. . . .”
Edwards uses
repeatedly, such as “. . . held in the hand of God, over the
wrath and descriptions pit of hell; they have deserved the fiery
of “the pit of hell.” pit, and are already sentenced to it. . . .”

Consider how repetition might affect a listener and how it

contributes to Edwards’s purpose.
• The author’s purpose is the reason that he or she is
writing.
• Authors may write to inform, to persuade, or to entertain.
• Sometimes they state their purpose directly.
• Other times, readers determine an author’s purpose by
paying close attention to the details and images in the
selection.
• As you read, think about how and why Edwards uses
certain images, and monitor your reactions to them.
• Consider what reactions Edwards might want to elicit
from his readers.
From the text: Imagery & Metaphor
 In this fire-and-brimstone
“O Sinner! sermon, Edwards uses the
Consider the metaphor of fire & the imagery
associated with it to link his
fearful danger listeners’ experience of fire to
the idea of burning in the fires of
you are in: It is a Hell because of their sins.
great furnace of  Use a chart like the one on the

wrath, a wide and next slide to record Edwards’s

images and explore how they
bottomless pit, help him to achieve his purpose.

full of the fire of

wrath . . .”
 In the first column of your chart, record Edwards’s images.
 In the second column, explore how they help him achieve his purpose
by explaining how and why it is used.
 Finally, in the third column record your reaction or the reaction you
would expect his audience to have to Edwards’s use of imagery.

Imagery & Author’s Purpose Chart

Image How/Why It’s Used Reaction

“the flames gather and to show what will happen I find the image
flash about them. . . .” to “natural men” frightening.
 Option A: Locate three statements from the sermon
that when taken together provide an accurate
summary.
 “That world of misery, that lake of burning brimstone,
is extended abroad under you.”
 “Thus all you that never passed under a great change
of heart . . . are in the hands of an angry God.”
 “Consider the fearful danger you are in.”
 Option B: Write three statements of your own that
summarize the main idea of the selection.
• Edwards’s convictions put him at odds with society.
• Would you risk being an outsider for your beliefs?
• Why or why not?
• What beliefs of yours do you consider most
important?
• Do you think it is necessary to persuade others to
share those beliefs?
• Why or why not?
 Imagery & Author’s Purpose Chart
Image How/Why It’s Used Reaction
fire pent up in their own to show the inherently evil nature That’s overwhelming
hearts is struggling to get of humans and people’s lack of pressure.
out control over their behavior
Discussion
hell’s wide gaping mouth instillQuestion
fear #4: Temptation seems ever
open present and unavoidable.
Author’s Overall Purpose =
nothing between you and to show need for God’s Mortals are so fragile
hell but the air God is all-powerful and
intervention and how can choose
ephemeral to people
it’s a wonder
send humans the natural
to world
the isfiery bowelssurvive at all.if
of hell
if God should withdraw His God, not our own efforts, support I must trust God to hold
hand
he so chooses.
us
Humans are fragile me up.
and
wrath of God is likecan
greatdotonothing
show God’s torestraint
stopand God’sI anger
don’t want to incur the
waters that are dammed power force of God’s wrath.
for the present
except to be reborn.
a spider’s web would be as an analogy to a person’s own Strength comes from
unable to stop a fallen efforts God not from my inner
rock self.
Christ has thrown the People who ask God to save I want to be one of the
doors of mercy wide open. them will be saved. chosen.
• Edwards’s beliefs motivate him to try to change the
lives of others.
• Do you think this desire is common among people with
strong beliefs?
 Why or why not?

• Edwards’s use of repeated words and images helps

convey his message by arousing fear in his listeners.
• Do you see his approach as effective?
 Explain why or why not, giving examples from the text.
• How would you try to convince someone to change his or
her behavior?
 What words and images would you use make your plea
dramatic?