This sermon, delivered by Jonathon Edwards, is one of the most renowned throughout the time of the Great Awakening. Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God was effective and persuasive in nature, so much that it convinced several individuals to convert and repent for their sins. Although Edwards was a theologian and preached among several of his faith, it was not the main factor of the sermon’s appeal; however, the literary contents were and it contributed to the sermon’s credibility as well as its beauty. The main factors of this appeal are the styles in which he writes, the tone in which it was written in, and the content of the sermon.
First and Foremost, the diction in which an author writes contributes greatly to how his work is perceived.
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Edward made great use of imagery that were relatable to farmers as that was his main audience when he said, “sinners are heaps of light chaff before the whirlwind; and large quantities of dry stubble before devouring flames.” (Edwards) This served as an illustration the feeble might of man in comparison to the supernatural powers of God. Moreover, Edwards continue to convince the audience to repent in order to save themselves from the fury of God by symbolizing his fury with fiery pits and flood waters. “The wrath of God burns against them…the fire is made ready and the furnace is now hot; or his fury is like great waters that are damned for the present.” (Edwards) It is another convincing example that God’s wrath is disastrous and serves as a simile to compare god’s might. Edwards also stated, “God’s wrath is a bent bow that is ready to strike at any time.” (Edwards) The redundancy in comparing God’s power is to ensure the audience that nothing can save them except for forgiveness. Edward explained that social class does not affect the fury of God by making an allusion to Nebuchadnezzar by stating, “kings can execute based on whims, but that is nothing compared to the might of God.” (Edwards) Finally, in order to bring credit to his claims, Edwards made several biblical references to Psalms, Daniels, and other biblical