AMERICAN HISTORY RECAP

Puritan Life

Puritanism• Lasts until about 1750ish (fluid

change)• Big Ideas– Sought to “purify” or simplify

creeds/rituals– Derived from teachings of John Calvin

(1509-64) and Martin Luther (1484-1546) but New England clergy felt free to disagree

– Calvin’s doctrines of predestination and grace

Puritan Government does not last long..

• There is a rising emphasis on independence in Puritanism

• America becomes increasingly secular as different people begin to settle the continent

…In come creeping ideas of the Enlightenment/ Great Awakening

• Enlightenment Ideas:– Focus on reason/ logic– Principles of equality and social justice– Suggest that humans might assume greater control

of nature without offending the majesty of God– Increasing emphasis on independence

• Great Awakening Ideas:– Revitalization of religious ideas – No more outworn rituals– Used reason/logic in their sermons to help explain

religious dimension

George Whitefield, one of the most famous evanglists

Jonathan Edwards• Represented the fullest intellectual

development of the Calvinist Puritans: his hard intellect and authoritarian convictions were tempered by human tenderness and spiritual sensitivity

• The last and most gifted defender of Calvinism

• Attempted to revive the Puritan sensibility in an era of increasing science, business and secularization

Born too late…• Edwards was born in 1703, in CT• Enrolled in Yale at 13: found, before other

Americans, in Locke a development of empiricism which he used to develop ideas of predestination

• Was a pastor in MA for 14 years; published 15 books; helped to spread the “Great Awakening”

• 1750: after growing resistance to his orthodoxy, he was exiled from his congregation

• Became pastor and Indian missionary at a frontier village; appointed president of Nassau Hall (Princeton), but he died within three months

“Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God”

Part One: Initial Impressions• What was stirring, striking, or

memorable to you in reading this sermon? Pick two traits or characteristics that most struck you, citing specific textual examples from the tract.

“Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God”

Part Two: Using Imagery • What images or analogies does

Jonathan Edwards use to evoke the situation of the unconverted?

• What themes does Edwards wish to communicate to his listeners from these images?

• How are listeners meant to feel?

Some Images/Analogies:• Falling • Chaff and whirlwind • Dry stubble and flames • Worm and foot • Thread and scissors • Person on rotten covering • Lead • Rock and spider’s web • Black clouds full of rain and thunder • Dammed waters ready to burst forth • Bow and arrow

“Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God”

Part Three: Using Reason and Logic • Look at pages 171-174. Here, Edwards

addresses a number of assumptions that people believe about their salvation by giving them counterpoints to their arguments. Looking ONLY AT YOUR GROUP NUMBER, explain what assumption people make and what counterpoint Edwards gives.

“Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God”

Part Four: Using Contrast • Look at page 179-181, at the last paragraph

(“And now you have an extraordinary opportunity”). How does Edwards’ imagery and tone change in the last few pages of his sermon?

• What purpose do you think Edwards is using his sermon for? Look at pg 182, the second to last paragraph for help (“The first instance that I remember…”). How does he wish his people to respond?

Purposes:• Convince listeners of God’s power• Emphasize importance of working

towards conversion, living a Christian life• Unsettle congregants in order to spur

lifestyle changesHow People are Meant to Respond:• Re-evaluation of priorities• Change in view and understanding of God• Alteration of external and personal lives• Resolution to strive for conversion

“Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God”

Part Five: Unlocking the Persuasive Techniques• What makes this sermon effective?

How does he utilize all the techniques in parts two, three and four to elicit conversion from his congregation?

Effective Techniques• Compelling and familiar imagery (from Bible and of

Edwards’ invention)• Relation to the audience (addressing the

congregation’s assumptions about God and salvation; discussing the possibility of even one congregant being condemned to hell)

• Repetition of messages and images (ensures comprehension, but admittedly risks boredom)

• Stirring of audience to change (by use of compelling and fearful imagery; used reason/logic to dispel escuses)

• Doesn’t just frighten listeners - offers a way to change the situation (Christian life, aspiring towards conversion)