In 1741 puritan Minister Jonathan Edwards delivered a sermon during the great awakening titled “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” in an attempt to convert non- believers into being born again. In his sermon, Edwards’ tone dips and dives from the very threatening to the very enraged, in his attempts to persuade his congregation. He also utilizes rhetorical appeals to contribute to the persuasiveness of his sermon. Throughout the sermon Edwards persuades the unconverted members of his congregation; he utilizes the rhetorical appeals pathos, ethos, and logos. One of the rhetorical appeals that Pastor Edwards utilizes is pathos. According to National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI), worksheet says that, “pathos: the speaker or writer
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NMSI says, “Ethos the Speaker or writer appeals to the audience’s trust by establishing his credibility or trustworthiness as a writer or speaker. . . Some methods of creating ethical appeal include: allusion, stating qualifications for expertise, using first person pronouns etc.” (“using” 13). Edwards states on page 43, “who knows the power of Gods anger?” (Edwards). Edwards is referencing Psalm 90:11 from the bible, which is an example of allusion, this shows that he is credible because he has knowledge of the bible. The congregation will respect him and listen to him because he knows what he is talking about. "Many that were very lately in the same miserable condition that you are in are now in a happy state with their hearts filled with love to him who has loved them, and washed them from their sins in his own blood." (Edwards 44). This is ethos because Edwards refers to Jesus dying on the cross for their sins. Edwards is telling his congregation that God died on the cross for them before they became converted. He explains that there were many people in the same state as them, and now they are saved and his congregation has a chance to be like them and become born again because Jesus shed his blood for them on the cross. These are just a few examples of how Pastor Jonathan Edwards utilizes ethos to gain the congregation's trust and persuade them to be born …show more content…
The NMSI handout says "the speaker or writer appeals to the audience's logic by constructing a well-reasoned argument. Some methods of creating a logical appeal is: author makes you think, facts, research, references to experts, etc.”(“Using” 13). Some ways that Edwards utilizes logos, or makes us think is on page 43, “How dreadful is the state of those that are daily and hourly in the danger of this great wrath and infinite misery!” (Edwards). Pastor Edwards used logos by asking a rhetorical question. He wants his congregation to think about their future. He wants them to think about how many people are being faced with this misery daily. He emphasizes the “daily and hourly” so they will realize that people die and go to hell hourly. He also reinforces the “infinite Misery” meaning that the misery will be going on and one forever. Edwards also utilizes logos by referencing an expert. In paragraph eight of Jonathan Edwards sermon it states, “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; and you have no interest in any mediator, and noting to lay hold of to save yourself . . .” (Edwards 43). Edwards is referencing the expert, which is Jesus Christ, when he says "mediator". Jesus is an expert of everything; he is all knowing. He is also explaining that you do not have very long any little thing could happen
NMSI says, “Ethos the Speaker or writer appeals to the audience’s trust by establishing his credibility or trustworthiness as a writer or speaker. . . Some methods of creating ethical appeal include: allusion, stating qualifications for expertise, using first person pronouns etc.” (“using” 13). Edwards states on page 43, “who knows the power of Gods anger?” (Edwards). Edwards is referencing Psalm 90:11 from the bible, which is an example of allusion, this shows that he is credible because he has knowledge of the bible. The congregation will respect him and listen to him because he knows what he is talking about. "Many that were very lately in the same miserable condition that you are in are now in a happy state with their hearts filled with love to him who has loved them, and washed them from their sins in his own blood." (Edwards 44). This is ethos because Edwards refers to Jesus dying on the cross for their sins. Edwards is telling his congregation that God died on the cross for them before they became converted. He explains that there were many people in the same state as them, and now they are saved and his congregation has a chance to be like them and become born again because Jesus shed his blood for them on the cross. These are just a few examples of how Pastor Jonathan Edwards utilizes ethos to gain the congregation's trust and persuade them to be born …show more content…
The NMSI handout says "the speaker or writer appeals to the audience's logic by constructing a well-reasoned argument. Some methods of creating a logical appeal is: author makes you think, facts, research, references to experts, etc.”(“Using” 13). Some ways that Edwards utilizes logos, or makes us think is on page 43, “How dreadful is the state of those that are daily and hourly in the danger of this great wrath and infinite misery!” (Edwards). Pastor Edwards used logos by asking a rhetorical question. He wants his congregation to think about their future. He wants them to think about how many people are being faced with this misery daily. He emphasizes the “daily and hourly” so they will realize that people die and go to hell hourly. He also reinforces the “infinite Misery” meaning that the misery will be going on and one forever. Edwards also utilizes logos by referencing an expert. In paragraph eight of Jonathan Edwards sermon it states, “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; and you have no interest in any mediator, and noting to lay hold of to save yourself . . .” (Edwards 43). Edwards is referencing the expert, which is Jesus Christ, when he says "mediator". Jesus is an expert of everything; he is all knowing. He is also explaining that you do not have very long any little thing could happen