Rhetorical Analysis Of Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God

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Johnathan Edwards wants sinners to truly visualize what is to come in his sermon "Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God". There is a great deal of imagery that is included, which is carried out through the use of similes comparing God's omnipotent wrath to many things, a call to action emphasizing the little time sinners have for salvation, as well as rhetorical questioning to highlight key points in his sermon. Edward points out distinct characteristics of his wrath, asserting that they are like "great waters [dammed] for the present, [increasing] more and more." He utilizes this technique in attempt to provide the audience with enough details to get a sense of God's anger towards the sinners. Stating that it is comparable to a flood gives reader a feeling of what is to come for them if they refuse to change the way they live their lives, which of course seems like an 'inconceivable' fate that no one should undergo. Any individual should not dare to question the power of God, for it is evident through Edward's description. …show more content…

It is clear that no one, based on the vivid description provided by the 6-hour sermon, wants to spend eternity in hell, and relating the audience to the sinners that were too late to respond to this call to action, those who once had this opportunity, gives it a powerful impact now that they know that they are subject to the same