This week in our English 3 class we discussed sermons and the sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God". "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" was written by Jonathan Edwards who was a preacher. Edwards was preaching to his congregation about their wicked ways, God's wrath, and the ways they could become converted men. Edwards compares God's wrath to a powerful, flowing river that doesn't stop which is like God's wrath when you've done wrong. I thought this piece was very interesting but also kind of brash because throughout the whole piece he is telling what YOU need to do to go to heaven. 

   "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"

The purpose of this sermon which was given by Johnathan Edwards, is to warn the congregation that if they continue on with their wicked ways, then they will get sent to hell. This point can be proven in point 2 of the sermon where Edwards states "They [unconverted men] deserve to be cast into hell; so that divine justice never stands in the way, it makes no objection against God's using his power at any moment to destroy them...". The people would respond to this very negatively because Edwards is attacking unconverted people in the congregation. This piece is translated into more modern language now and the language is more modern also. In 1741, it would have been received as pretty aggressive and harsh. The most striking parts of the sermon for me were: point 3 where it says "They are already under a sentence of condemnation to hell.... John 3:18 He that believeth not is condemned already... "Unconverted men walk over the pit of  hell on a rotten covering, and there are innumerable places in this covering so weak that they will not bear their weight, and these places are not seen. The last thing that sparked my attention was in point 10 where Edwards discusses God not having the obligation to promise any natural man out of hell one moment. 

"Trapped"

"Trapped"

I feel trapped. Trapped behind a painting being painted for me. Trapped behind my own thoughts, fears, dreams, and goals. Trapped by my peers, parents, and society. I feel trapped and I don't think anyone can save me.