Jonathan Edwards Persuasive Ways Essay

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His Persuasive Ways
(The usage of persuasive techniques in the writing of Jonathan Edwards, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God)

It’s not always easy to convince someone to do your bidding or even see your way of thinking. Luckily, it's not impossible. Even the most arrogant and stubborn can be brought to a new realization and comprehension of a situation. How so? Evaluating compelling literature can help bring to light the fundamentals of persuasion.Take for example Sinners in the hands of an Angry God, a sermon given by Jonathan Edwards. He discusses the consequences since, what some religions believe, we are all born sinners. His words as one man alone seem like they might have a small effect on his audience: however, he uses fear, imagery and hope to make an impact on his followers. Although fear is known to scare off its victims, Edwards used it to …show more content…
Imagery in words can help bring to understanding what's being talked about without us actually even seeing anything. Edwards uses the imagery in a sort of cruel way. “You hang by a slender thread, with the flames of divine wrath flashing about it.”(Sinners). Edward said this with the intentions of having his audience picture where they stand in God’s eyes, and where they'll end up. The words “Slender”, “Flames”, and “Flashing” all put into a picture of the terror that is upon them. In contrast to all this gloomy way he presented his claim, Edwards explains the hope they should have if they follow God’s rules. After everybody is fearful toa loss, he explains that there’s a way to prevent their future suffering. “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.”(Sinners). Edwards tells them to flee to God and they will be saved. His audience is going to want to avoid Hell,so they are inclined to listen to his
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