Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards Analysis

Faith and a silver tongue can inspire change within everyone. In Jonathan Edwards’ sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Edwards preaches to inspire change within his community. He describes how God is angry with the sinful ways of man and how everyone is close to eternal damnation if they do not change immediately. Edwards also displays how God is ready to accept those who change. Jonathan Edwards uses aggressive language to convince people to change their ways and turn back to God through the use of rhetoric, imagery, and tone.

Throughout his sermon, Edwards speaks directly to his congregation in a way that would persuade them to turn from their sinful lives. He cries out to them, “O sinner! Consider the fearful danger you are in” (Edwards 89). Edwards is speaking to the individual person, not the collective group; he does this to make everyone recount their own guilt and shame, as to not allow them to blame each other for their sins. After delivering most of his sermon, Edwards reaches out again and warns them, “all you that never passed under a great change of heart, by the mighty power of the spirit of God upon your souls...are in the hands of an angry God” (Edwards 89). He says this as a powerful statement when nearing the end of his sermon. The statement is meant to stay with the congregation far after Edward’s sermon has concluded and to stay in their minds when considering the future and who they are as a person. Stephan Yarbrough summarizes Edward’s sermon, saying that his sermons “do not attempt to persuade listeners to choose rightly but to convince them that they cannot choose rightly and should submit to God's will” (Yarbrough). This summary perfectly describes the language of Edward’s sermon and his overall message. Edwards also uses another type of figurative language to convey his message to his congregation. 

Imagery is another main type of figurative language used in Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. Edwards uses strong imagery throughout the entire sermon to help his congregation visualize his message. He describes how Hell is near, describing it as a “lake of burning brimstone, extended abroad under you” (Edwards 87). This statement gives a clear mental image of how Hell was depicted during this time. Brimstone is an old term for sulfur, which is greatly associated with lightning strikes and divine punishment. Edwards goes into further detail about Hell, and about where the congregation is in relation to Hell. He continues, saying that they “hang by a slender thread, with the flames of divine wrath flashing about it” (Edwards 89). The thread they hang by is thin, and will break or burn in the flames if they do not make a sudden change. Edwards conveys how close his congregation is to eternal damnation if they do not immediately repent and change their ways. The sermon was “preached on the ominous text ‘Their foot shall slide in due time’ (Deut. 32:35), the sermon featured the unforgettable image of the sinner suspended over the fires of hell” (Arkin). Deuteronomy 32 was the main scripture that inspired the message of Edwards' sermon. The chapter describes that static faith angers God and if you do not revive your faith, it is only a matter of time before you fall away from Him. Not only does the language of a speech improve its effectiveness, but how it is delivered plays a major role.

Tone is the final major factor that made Edwards’ sermon effective to all who listened. The way a speaker delivers their message can decide how persuasive the message is. Edwards’ sermons were spoken by more than just himself and “tradition had it that the visiting minister--a stranger to the congregation--delivered the sermon in a monotone, staring at the bellrope at the back of the church, while terrified churchgoers fell from their pews in agony at their unredeemed state” (Arkin). The tone of the preacher directly persuaded the emotions of the congregation. It terrified them that someone could speak such strong words so plainly and calmly. Edwards’ sermon does not end there, he promises that god will pity them and that they still have a chance for redemption. He assures them, saying “God stands ready to pity you; this is a day of mercy; you may cry now with some encouragement of obtaining mercy” (Edwards 89). Edwards expresses that while God may be angry with his people, however, he also stands ready to pity and accept them again. Edwards ends his sermon in a positive, hopeful manner, unlike what the rest of the sermon had been. He addresses his congregation for the final time saying, “let everyone that is out of Christ now awake and fly from the wrath to come” (Edwards 91). This is meant to stick with the reader as they part from the gathering. It fortifies those that are in Christ and strong of faith, while it encourages those that are not, to take a step towards doing so.

Edwards uses many ways to convince his congregation to change their ways. At first, Edwards uses dark imagery and fear mongering to scare the crowd. He then transitions to a positive tone and promises that there is a chance for redemption. Edwards closes his sermon with words of encouragement to those who were not strong in faith. Throughout his sermon, Jonathan Edwards uses rhetoric, imagery, and tone to persuade the congregation to leave their sinful ways and turn to God.