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Rhetorical Devices In Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God

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In the sermon "Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God" Jonathon Edwards uses various rhetorical devices to persuade his audience. The sermon was made on July 8, 1741 at a time were everyone believed in God and everything revolved around the bible. In his sermon, Edwards used allusions, similes, and personification to show God's anger towards humans.

In the 17th century people's beliefs were all based on the bible. Everyone could refer to the bible as one of the only books they knew. Edwards makes many allusions in his sermon talking about the bible, so that people could relate. For example, "You are ten thousand times more abominable in his eyes, than the most hateful venomous serpent is in ours." People can relate to the serpent from the story …show more content…

For example, "Your wickedness makes you as it were as heavy as lead and to tend downwards with great weight and pressure towards hell." Here, he compares a persons wickedness to lead, and the more wicked you are the heavier you get. The heavier you get means you will plunge into hell faster. Another simile used by Edwards in his sermon is when he says, "His wrath towards you burns like fire." This compares God's anger to fire. Fire is found in hell, so this is a strong comparison that says his hatred is almost devil like towards sinners.

Personification is used to give human characteristics to other nonliving things. Edwards uses personification in his sermon many times to create a picture in peoples heads. For example, "A boundless duration before you, which will swallow up you thoughts, and amaze your soul." Here, he says swallow up your thoughts. That is not possible but it makes the listeners reflect on themselves. He is trying to say that your thoughts can ruin your conscience, and eating you alive not literally.

Overall, Jonathan Edwards uses rhetorical devices such as allusions, similes, and personification in his sermon to make people reflect on themselves and show God's anger towards

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