Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God Summary

Ben Franklin and Jonathan Edwards approach the notion of human perfectibility differently. Edwards indicates that humans have a perverted nature and that will eventually lead to their downfall. Franklin, however, talks about his life and accomplishments, and includes advices and tips of his own on moral improvement. In looking at Edwards’s “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” and Franklin’s autobiography, one must examine Edwards’s illustration on the harsh consequences for sinning and the condemned fate of humans, and Franklin’s constant interest in self-improvement. We will find that Edwards believes that humans aren’t able to truly purify and perfect themselves, while Franklin holds that one is able to achieve perfectibility through learning …show more content…
He then goes on talking about the dreadful punishments God will unleash upon the wicked. Edwards says, “they are as great heaps of light chaff before the whirlwind; or large quantities of dry stubble before devouring flames. We find it easy to tread on and crush a worm that we see crawling on the earth.” From this text, Edwards demonstrates that everyone are powerless in front of God, and he even compares humans to worms, giving the impression of how easily God can crush the evil with his fury. After criticizing humans for their corruption and talking about God’s anger without mercy, Edwards dramatically shifts to the theme of salvation. He states that the only way a person could save his soul from immorality and ultimately going into hell is having faith in Jesus. In the end, Edwards believes that one cannot fully achieve perfectibility, but one can avoid entering hell through faithfulness and loyalty to …show more content…
He says, “my desire being to gain knowledge at the same time that I improv'd in virtue, and considering that in conversation it was obtain'd rather by the use of the ears than of the tongue, and therefore wishing to break a habit I was getting into of prattling, punning, and joking, which only made me acceptable to trifling company, I gave Silence the second place.” From the text, Franklin indicates that he would prefer to listen more and talk less in order to learn more, and making that into a habit is a good virtue. Franklin also says that one shouldn’t talk about silly and unimportant things, but rather, it is better to talk about something that benefits everyone. Franklin states, “I wish'd to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into. As I knew, or thought I knew, what was right and wrong, I did not see why I might not always do the one and avoid the other. But I soon found I had undertaken a task of more difficulty than I bad imagined. While my care was employ'd in guarding against one fault, I was often surprised by another; habit took the advantage of inattention; inclination was sometimes too strong for reason.” By saying that, Franklin admits that it is difficult for him to keep track of every wrong thing he does, and it is also difficult to refrain