In the sermon “Sinner in the Hands of an Angry God”, Jonathan Edwards uses metaphors and diction to appeal to the audience's emotions through fear, to convince them to convert to Christianity and accept the belief of Jesus Christ as the savior.
Edward’s metaphor usage constantly builds fear in the audience. For example, the metaphor, “furnace of wrath” creates a realistic representation of where sinners would ultimately be disposed of if they do not accept Jesus Christ. Just like how people place things into the furnace, sinners will find themselves in open flames of hell.
In this metaphor, the author appeals to the audience’s emotion, through the use of fear due to its simplicity. Although listing facts(logos) from a professional (ethos) may …show more content…
With this, the author pressures the sinners to choose an effortless path instead of suffering from the extreme external heat.
Besides Metaphors, Edwards uses dictions as well to create fear in the audience’s emotions. For instance, the authors use the word “inexpressible” despite other relatable terms such as “frightening” or “terror” because the word “inexpressible” create a more graphic understanding of the kind of punishment, full of pain and sufferings, that awaits non-believers.
The author’s word choice enforces the extremity of the punishments to proliferate fear in his audience. It is part of human nature to change ourselves after considering the punishments that solely arise from our actions. Therefore, if they are aware of the miserable punishments, they will consequently attempt to avoid that punishment. However, if one comprehends that rewards arise from converting to Christianity then that is exactly what they will do.
The author is making a point that people should convert to Christianity as the punishment is too horribly major to describe if they choose not to. If the people don’t want to receive the punishment, then the obvious and wise choice would be to accept the one and only Jesus
Edward’s metaphor usage constantly builds fear in the audience. For example, the metaphor, “furnace of wrath” creates a realistic representation of where sinners would ultimately be disposed of if they do not accept Jesus Christ. Just like how people place things into the furnace, sinners will find themselves in open flames of hell.
In this metaphor, the author appeals to the audience’s emotion, through the use of fear due to its simplicity. Although listing facts(logos) from a professional (ethos) may …show more content…
With this, the author pressures the sinners to choose an effortless path instead of suffering from the extreme external heat.
Besides Metaphors, Edwards uses dictions as well to create fear in the audience’s emotions. For instance, the authors use the word “inexpressible” despite other relatable terms such as “frightening” or “terror” because the word “inexpressible” create a more graphic understanding of the kind of punishment, full of pain and sufferings, that awaits non-believers.
The author’s word choice enforces the extremity of the punishments to proliferate fear in his audience. It is part of human nature to change ourselves after considering the punishments that solely arise from our actions. Therefore, if they are aware of the miserable punishments, they will consequently attempt to avoid that punishment. However, if one comprehends that rewards arise from converting to Christianity then that is exactly what they will do.
The author is making a point that people should convert to Christianity as the punishment is too horribly major to describe if they choose not to. If the people don’t want to receive the punishment, then the obvious and wise choice would be to accept the one and only Jesus