“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” Thinking Critically Exercise Question #4Mel-Con Paragraph Writing Strategy M: Edwards’s sermons persuaded people to change their

lives for a number of reasons.E: For example, Edwards convinced many of God’s power

by stating God could “cast his enemies down to hell” which was a “pit prepared” with God holding sinners over it “much as one holds a spider”.

L: These horrifying images created a sense of fear and powerlessness in his audience.

Con: With Christ as their only salvation, many in his audience altered their way of living.

“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” Thinking Critically Exercise Question #5Mel-Con Paragraph Writing Strategy

M: The people who belonged to Edwards’s congregation believed that human beings are inherently evil and can only escape hell through God’s grace, not by anything they can do themselves.

E: One can see this clearly when Edwards offers God’s grace only through a “door of mercy wide open” and by “rejoicing in hope of the glory of God”.

L: Hope for mercy from God, not actions, are the only chance for salvation.

Con: With the belief that they were evil beings only spared by God, Edwards’s audience was left feeling powerless.

“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” Thinking Critically Exercise Questions #6 Mel-Con Paragraph Writing Strategy

M: In this sermon, human beings are presented as powerless to control their own lives; God is presented as powerful and threatening.

E: With rhetoric such as “the God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider” this becomes clear.

L: By using this simile and imagery to explain the relationship between God and man, Edwards’s sermon paints a grim picture of existence for mankind.

Con: Overall, Edwards’s sermon offers hope for sinners from the perils of hell only because of God’s grace.

JOURNAL # 1• If you were writing a sermon today that

aimed at trying to persuade an audience about the existence of God, what would have to be addressed in your sermon? Why? Think about the likes and dislikes of everyday Americans.

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