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from “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards
Reading Warm-up A
Read the following passage. Pay special attention to the underlined words. Then, read it again,
and complete the activities. Use a separate sheet of paper for your written answers.
In the middle of the eighteenth century, a wave of religious revivals known as “The Great Awakening” rolled
across America. The movement was spearheaded by a
string of fiery preachers who drew large and enthusiastic
crowds while speaking at churches and camp meetings.
Among these wholly charismatic men—speakers completely inspired and inspiring—were Jonathan Edwards,
Gilbert Tennent, and George Whitefield. Doubtless, these
men were powerful preachers. Certainly, they moved
their listeners to shed tears and tremble with fear.
Many established clergymen withheld their approval of
the traveling revivalists. They would not grant support to
men they considered shallow and extremist. Many
churches split into the established “Old Lights” and the
revivalist “New Lights,” and there were fierce arguments
over the value of revivalism. The movement did, however,
have some everlasting effects on the beliefs and attitudes
of numerous Protestant denominations. It also had other
extraordinary results: significant academic events,
remarkable social shifts, and surprising political activism.
The Great Awakening led to the founding of renowned
colleges, including Princeton, Brown, Rutgers, and
Dartmouth. In addition, the Great Awakening gathered
Americans together to a greater degree than ever before.
It united colonists from different parts of the country and
encouraged them to uphold beliefs and support values
that they had in common. As a result, the Great Awakening provoked anti-British feeling that would culminate in
the American Revolution.
The Great Awakening encouraged a democratic spirit
in religion. This attitude had been inconceivable a century earlier. The revivalist reached out to every soul,
including those who had been beyond the reach of the
established churches. These included the very poor, settlers in distant frontier locations, and slaves. In fact, the
Great Awakening was one of the strongest forces in
America directing a current of opposition to slavery.
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132
1. Circle the word that means
the same as wholly. Describe
a wholly delicious food.
2. Circle the word that means
the same as doubtless. Use
doubtless in a sentence.
3. Underline the words that
explain withheld. Describe a
situation in which someone
withheld permission.
4. Circle the root in everlasting
that helps explain its meaning. Name a writer whose
work is everlasting.
5. Underline the words that
help explain extraordinary.
Describe an extraordinary
person.
6. Circle the word that means
the same as uphold. Name a
freedom you think most
Americans uphold.
7. Underline the word that tells
what was provoked. Describe
a situation in which you were
provoked to an action.
8. Circle the root that helps
explain the meaning of
inconceivable. Define
inconceivable in your own
words.
Name
Date
from “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards
Reading Warm-up B
Read the following passage. Pay special attention to the underlined words. Then, read it again,
and complete the activities. Use a separate sheet of paper for your written answers.
Sermons had a tremendous impact on political
circumstances in America. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, colonists did not have presidents, senators, justices, or college professors to turn to for direction
in dealing with political conditions. So they turned to
their ministers, the sources of spiritual direction, for help
in making political decisions. Those who were expert in
eternal and infinite life became experts in temporal and
earthly life.
In the age before telephone, radio, and television, the
sermon was more influential than any other verbal
medium except the printed Bible. Scholars estimate that,
during the colonial period, ministers delivered about
eight million sermons, and the duration of each sermon
was about one and one-half hours. By the age of seventy,
the average American colonist heard 7,000 sermons.
Sermons usually focused, of course, on spiritual
matters—finding the way to righteousness, avoiding
extremes and living a life of moderation, and achieving
personal salvation. However, they also often pointed the
way toward national “salvation.” They advised on how to
achieve the prosperity and self-determination that the
colonists felt was their destiny. After all, the colonists’
“errand into the wilderness” was to build God’s community in the New World—physically, commercially, politically, and artistically, as well as spiritually.
Through sermons, colonists learned God’s will in all
areas of life. Because the British appeared to be wielding
too much power, usurping the ultimate authority of God
and violating the moral obligations of good government,
colonial clergy came to the conclusion that it would be
sinful for them not to rebel against the abominable tyranny of England. Many a minister made it clear to his
congregation that tyranny is a sin and that a good person
abhors all sin. Consequently, when a government is morally deficient, the individual should resist. The result was
the American Revolution.
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133
1. Underline the word that
means about the same as
circumstances. Describe the
circumstances of an ordinary
day at school.
2. Circle the word that helps
explain infinite. Use infinite
in a sentence.
3. Underline the words that tell
the duration of each sermon.
What is the duration of your
lunch period?
4. Circle the root in
righteousness that suggests
its meaning. Name a word
that means the opposite of
righteousness.
5. Underline the words that
explain moderation. Explain
the meaning of this old saying: Moderation in all things,
including moderation.
6. Circle the words that help
describe how England’s
tyranny was considered
abominable. Name a recent
event that you consider
abominable.
7. What is the verb form of
congregation, and what does
it mean?
8. Underline the word that tells
what ministers said a good
person abhors. Name two
synonyms for abhors.
Name
Date
from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards
Literary Analysis: Sermon (Persuasive Oratory)
A sermon is a speech given from a pulpit in a house of worship usually as part of a religious
service. Jonathan Edwards delivered many sermons that dealt with “fire and brimstone,” or the
torments of hell. Although he delivered his words in a level and calm voice, his message often
caused listeners to shriek with fright. In his sermons, Edwards used persuasive oratory, or
language that would convince listeners of the truth of what he was saying.
DIRECTIONS: Two forms of persuasive oratory are logical appeals and emotional appeals.
Logical appeals speak to the listener’s sense of reason, and are based on facts and evidence.
Emotional appeals speak to the listener’s feelings about a subject, and often use loaded words
that convey strong positive or negative connotations. Read the following excerpts from Sinners in
the Hands of an Angry God and answer the questions.
The God that holds you over the pit of Hell, much as one holds a spider, or some loathsome
insect over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked: his wrath towards you burns like fire; he
looks upon you as worthy of nothing else, but to be cast into the fire; he is of purer eyes than to
bear to have you in his sight; you are ten thousand times more abominable in our eyes, than the
most hateful venomous serpent is in ours . . .
1. Which form of persuasive oratory does Edwards use in this passage, logical or emotional?
2. To which emotion or emotions in his listeners does he appeal?
3. List some loaded words or phrases that Edwards uses to persuade his listeners of God’s
wrath and their unworthiness?
And now you have an extraordinary opportunity, a day wherein Christ has thrown the door of
mercy wide open, and stands in calling and crying with a loud voice to poor sinners; a day wherein
many are flocking to him, and pressing into the kingdom of God. Many are daily coming from the
east, west, north and south;. . .
4. What behavior is Edwards trying to persuade his listeners to undertake in this passage?
5. To which emotions is he appealing in his listeners?
6. Which loaded words or phrases help to give this passage its persuasive character?
Unit 1 Resources: A Gathering of Voices
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134
Name
Date
from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards
Reading Strategy: Use Context Clues
When you come across an unfamiliar word in your reading, you can often determine its
meaning from its context—the words, phrases, and sentences that surround it. For example,
notice how the context provides clues to the meaning of avail in the sentence that follows:
But indeed these things are nothing; if God should withdraw his hand, they would avail no more to
keep you from falling than the thin air to hold up a person that is suspended in it.
Since we know that “these things are nothing” and that “they would avail no more” than
“thin air” to keep a person from falling, we can figure out that avail must mean “help.”
DIRECTIONS: As you read these sentences from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, use
context clues to determine the meaning of each italicized word. Write your definition on the lines
provided and explain how you used context clues to help determine the word’s meaning.
1. It is only the power and mere pleasure of God that holds you up. You are probably not
sensible of this; you find you are kept out of Hell, but do not see the hand of God in it.
2. It is a great furnace of wrath, a wide and bottomless pit, full of the fire of wrath, that you
are held over in the hand of that God, whose wrath is provoked and incensed as much
against you, as against many of the damned in Hell.
3. You hang by a slender thread, with the flames of divine wrath flashing about it, and ready
every moment to singe it, and burn it asunder.
4. He will not forbear the executions of his wrath, or in the least lighten his hand: there shall
be no moderation or mercy.
5. There will be no end to this exquisite horrible misery. When you look forward, you shall see
a long forever, a boundless duration before you, which will swallow up your thoughts and
amaze your soul.
Unit 1 Resources: A Gathering of Voices
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135
Name
Date
from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards
Vocabulary Builder
The Latin Prefix omniA. DIRECTIONS: The prefix omni- means “all” or “everywhere.” Bearing that in mind, circle the
letter of the best answer to the following questions.
1. If laughter is omnipresent, where is it found?
A. here
B. there
C. everywhere
D. nowhere
2. Giraffes are herbivorous, eating only plants; cats are carnivorous, eating only meat. If monkeys are omnivorous, what do you think they eat?
A. only plants
C. only bananas
B. only meat
D. plants and meat
3. Science is from a root meaning “to know.” What kind of narrator is an omniscient narrator?
A. a character in the story who knows only his or her own thoughts
B. someone outside the story who knows all the characters’ thoughts
C. someone outside the story who knows just one character’s thoughts
D. someone outside the story who knows no characters’ thoughts
Using the Word List
constitution
induce
mediator
omnipotent
prudence
B. DIRECTIONS: On the line, write the letter of the definition next to the word it defines.
___
___
___
___
___
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
prudence
induce
constitution
mediator
omnipotent
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
all-powerful
physical makeup
influence; persuade
good judgment
one who settles a dispute
C. DIRECTIONS: For each pair of sentences, circle the letter of the sentence in which the italicized
word is used correctly.
1. A. The workers and management called in a mediator to help settle the strike.
B. Our teacher commissioned a mediator to draw a painting of our class.
2. A. I wanted to induce my weight, so I stopped eating foods with sugar.
B. Nothing could induce our dog to get into the tub for his bath.
3. A. The hiker showed extreme prudence when he tried to leap over the crevasse.
B. Her prudence told Mari that she should stay out of the quarrel between her brothers.
Unit 1 Resources: A Gathering of Voices
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136
Name
Date
from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards
Grammar and Style: Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are pairs of connecting words that link similar kinds of words and
word groups and connect ideas. In this example, the italicized words show the relationship
between the two actions in the sentence.
Edwards told his parishioners that not only would they burn in Hell, but Hell would last forever.
Other pairs of correlative conjunctions include the following:
Either . . . or
neither . . . nor
not only . . . but also
whether . . . or
just as . . . so
A. PRACTICE: Circle each pair of correlative conjunctions in the sentences below.
1. Edwards’ listeners were told that neither their good works nor their holy life could protect
them from Hell unless they accepted Jesus Christ.
2. The churchgoers understood that either they accepted Jesus Christ or they would burn in
Hell for all eternity.
3. Edwards’ sermon said that just as God hated the loathsome spider, so he also found the
parishioners unworthy.
4. Whether the churchgoers screamed in fright or sat silent in their seats, they were all terrified.
5. Edwards’ sermon told his listeners that not only did God hold them up from falling into
Hell, but also could drop them at any time.
B. Writing Application: For each item, create a logical sentence by adding a pair of
correlative conjunctions from the list above.
did Edwards terrify his congregation,
1.
he praised the power of
God.
2.
Edwards offered little hope of salvation to his flock,
condemned their unworthiness.
they accepted Jesus Christ in their hearts, he said,
3.
he
they would
burn in Hell.
4. The parishioners heard that they were condemned
not.
5. Edwards said that
listeners.
good works
they led good lives
personal holiness could save his
Unit 1 Resources: A Gathering of Voices
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137
Name
Date
from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards
Integrated Language Skills: Support for Writing: Evaluation
First, review the persuasive techniques of imagery and theme that Jonathan Edwards uses
in his sermon. Then, prepare for writing an evaluation by entering important information about
each in the graphic organizer below.
Evaluation of Jonathan Edwards’s sermon
Examples of Imagery from Edwards’s Sermon
Effective or Ineffective? Why?
Examples of Main Themes from Edwards’s Sermon
Effective or Ineffective? Why?
On a separate page, use the information from the graphic organizer to write a first draft of
your evaluation. Then, revise it to be sure you have included only information related to why
Edwards’s techniques were either effective or ineffective for his audience.
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Name
Date
from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards
Selection Test B
Critical Reading Identify the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers
the question.
1. As a preacher, Edwards uses his sermon to
A. raise money for his church.
B. frighten his congregation into seizing the opportunity of salvation.
C. persuade his congregation to have faith in God.
D. rouse his congregation to revolt against England.
2. What is the central message of the sermon?
A. There is no hope for salvation.
B. The only hope for salvation is in good deeds.
C. The only hope for salvation is through Christian rebirth.
D. Sinners can save their souls through constant prayer.
3. Edwards’s vivid descriptions of Hell are meant to
A. frighten his audience.
B. amuse his audience.
C. fascinate his audience.
D. make his audience feel superior.
4. Which of these people or forces does the sermon indicate is the most powerful?
A. Hell
B. God
C. the congregations as a whole
D. preachers like Edwards
5. What contrasting images does Edwards use to describe God’s wrath?
A. heat and cold
B. sunlight and rain
C. darkness and light
D. fire and water
6. Edwards uses the phrase “dead in sin” to describe
A. people who have died while in the midst of evil activities.
B. those who have not yet experienced the grace of conversion.
C. those whose sins have caused their deaths.
D. people who are not religious and never attend church.
7. Edwards compares each of his listeners to “a spider, or some loathsome insect [held]
over the fire” in order to stress a human being’s
A. powerlessness in comparison to God.
B. unimportance in God’s plan.
C. ugliness in God’s eyes.
D. courage in the face of God’s wrath.
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8. Toward the end of the sermon, Edwards’s tone shifts from
A. sorrowful to joyous.
B. joyous to resentful.
C. frightening to hopeful.
D. sympathetic to bitter.
9. To which chief emotion does Edwards appeal in the following passage of the sermon?
How awful is it to be left behind at such a day! To see so many others feasting, while you are
pining and perishing.
A.
B.
C.
D.
grief
envy
sympathy
joy
10. One popular method of persuasion is the bandwagon technique, which suggests that a
person should do something because everyone else is doing it. Which of these passages
best illustrates that technique?
A. “This is the case of every one of you that are out of Christ.”
B. “Those that are gone from being in the like circumstances with you, see that it was
so with them; for destruction came suddenly upon most of them.”
C. “Many are daily coming from the east, west, north and south; many that were very
lately in the same miserable condition that you are in, are now in a happy state.”
D. “Therefore let everyone that is out of Christ now awake and fly from the wrath to
come.”
11. The use of a biblical quotation at the end of the sermon strengthens Edwards’s argument by
A. associating it with an authority respected by his audience.
B. appealing to the audience’s love of poetry.
C. changing the tone of the sermon.
D. emphasizing Edwards’s point about God’s mercy.
12. Based on the context clues, what does gulf most likely mean in this passage:
If God should let you go, you would immediately sink and swiftly descend and plunge into
the bottomless gulf.
A.
B.
C.
D.
gasoline or oil
wide gap
shallow water
cloud
13. Based on the context clues, what does exquisite most likely mean in this passage?
There will be no end to this exquisite horrible misery.
A.
B.
C.
D.
very beautiful
mildly attractive
necessary
sharp; intense
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Vocabulary and Grammar
14. What does the prefix omni- mean?
A. all; everywhere
B. high; atop; above
C. knowing; wise
D. powerful
15. Read these sentences.
Some listeners were church members. Others were just visitors. None of them ever
forgot Edwards’s sermon.
Which sentence below combines the sentences by using a correlative conjunction?
A. Church members or visitors—neither one ever forgot Edwards’s sermon.
B. Some listeners were church members, and others were just visitors, but none of
them ever forgot Edwards’s sermon.
C. Church members and visitors listened to Edwards’s sermon—and they didn’t forget
it, either.
D. Few listeners, whether they were church members or just visitors, ever forgot
Edward’s sermon.
16. Edwards tells his listeners that they “have no interest in any mediator.” Which of the
following people could be described as a mediator?
A. a police officer who guides traffic around an accident scene
B. a scientist who discovers the cure to a fatal disease
C. a mother who carries her child when it is too tired to walk
D. a referee who settles an argument between opposing coaches
Essay
17. Edwards uses a variety of persuasive techniques that contribute to the effectiveness of his
sermon. Write an essay in which you discuss these persuasive techniques, including his
use of repetition and his appeals to emotions and authority. Also explain why Edwards’s
sermon would probably have been less effective if he had not used these techniques.
18. Edwards had a clear strategy in mind when he wrote this sermon. In your opinion, was his
method the best and most effective way to achieve his aim? Write an essay in which you
summarize Edwards’s goal and how he went about achieving it. Then consider whether
there may have been a better way of communicating to his congregation.
19. Thinking About the Essential Question: How does literature shape or reflect society?
Write a brief essay about the effect a person such as Edwards, in his sermon Sinners in the
Hands of an Angry God, would have had on a tightly knit community in which almost everyone attended the same church.
Unit 1 Resources: A Gathering of Voices
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148