Sinners in the Hands of an angry god

Chelsey Wilkins 2 Page Lit. Response (Sinners in the hand of an angry God) 9/2/09



The verse “Sinners of an angry God” by Jonathon Edwards was a long more informational packet about the consequences that will be condemned on those who are disbelievers of Christ. The purpose of the verse was to threaten all the so called “wicked” Israelites on account of their lack of the existence of God. Many of the consequences condemned to the Israelites were compared to the phrase, “Their foot shall slide in due time,” which means that God may not punish them when the sin is done but when they least expect it.


To begin with, Edwards had interesting ways of expressing his feelings towards the subject. From his choices of diction such as have already fallen to hell, belong in hell, or even deserve to be in hell really makes him seem passionate about this subject. From his choice in diction you can assume that he is a believer of Christ and truly looks down on those who oppose him. Edwards keeps his statements about God positive even it’s while acting in an offensive way. For instance, instead of saying God punishes those who doubt his existence instead he says that God simply won’t hold them up when they are in slippery situations and the misery will come on its own without his helping hand. Instantly his dedication to this entry stands out.


The second factor of the rhetoric triangle that Edwards appealed to was pathos. Edward said, “There is no fortress that is any defense from the power of God,” this one sentence showed how dedicated to his almighty Christ. He tried to let the Israelites know there is not any way to get around God but to praise him. Edwards also mentions the consequences that will be sentenced to those who disbelieve, but he doesn’t just note them he agrees with them as if that is the only belief that keeps you alive today or the thought of God holding them in his hand over hell will determine their fate.


“We find it easy to tread on and crush a worm that we see crawling on the earth; so it is easy for us to cut or singe a slender thread that anything hangs by: thus easy is it for God.”(Jonathon Edwards) This analogy from the verse went back to appealing to figurative language. This phrase is a simile comparing our carelessness to killing little worms not realizing that God has the same power over us. This phrase expresses that Edwards believes God has the ultimate power, but still chooses not to use it on his enemies. Once again Edwards chooses to make God look like a good guy as opposed to the ultimate power above us who punishes his enemies.


To conclude, Edwards wrote a verse warning the Israelites about the consequences that will be condemned to those who don’t worship Christ. He appealed to two points in the rhetoric triangle. He showed many signs saying that he is a believer of God, used many examples of pathos, and figurative language.