Metaphors in Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Jonathan Edwards’ renowned sermon, serve as a literary and theological force, shaping the narrative and conveying the urgency of repentance. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Edwards employs metaphors to create a visceral and terrifying depiction of God’s wrath, leaving an indelible mark on the reader’s consciousness.

The sermon’s metaphors draw upon diverse realms, including nature, the body, animals, war, the supernatural, the legal system, time, and light and darkness, each contributing a unique dimension to Edwards’ message. These metaphors not only illustrate but also embody the concepts they represent, amplifying the emotional and intellectual impact of the sermon.

Metaphors of Nature

Edwards employs vivid metaphors from nature to depict God’s wrath as an overwhelming and terrifying force. He compares God’s anger to a raging fire that consumes everything in its path, a burning brimstone that scorches and destroys, and a tempestuous storm that uproots and annihilates.

Fire and Brimstone

• Edwards describes God’s wrath as “a devouring fire” that “burns with an inextinguishable fury” (Edwards, 1741, par. 1).
• He likens God’s anger to “a great furnace of fire” that will “melt the wicked like wax” (Edwards, 1741, par. 2).

Storms

• Edwards portrays God’s wrath as a “mighty tempest” that will “overturn mountains and shake the earth” (Edwards, 1741, par. 3).
• He compares the wrath of God to a “whirlwind” that will “carry away the wicked as stubble” (Edwards, 1741, par. 4).

Metaphors of the Body: Metaphors In Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God

Edwards uses metaphors of the body to convey the physical and emotional torment that sinners will endure in God’s hands. He describes their bodies as weak and vulnerable, their hearts as filled with terror and despair, and their souls as tormented by guilt and fear.

Physical Pain

• Edwards compares the sinner’s body to a “vessel of wrath” that is “ready to be destroyed” (Edwards, 1741, par. 5).
• He describes the sinner’s flesh as “melting” and “consuming away” in God’s presence (Edwards, 1741, par. 6).

Emotional Torment

• Edwards portrays the sinner’s heart as “trembling” and “fainting” with fear (Edwards, 1741, par. 7).
• He compares the sinner’s soul to a “shipwreck” that is “tossed and driven by the winds and waves” of God’s wrath (Edwards, 1741, par. 8).

Metaphors of Animals

Edwards employs animal metaphors to evoke fear and disgust in the reader, portraying sinners as venomous creatures that are deserving of God’s wrath. He compares them to vipers, spiders, and scorpions, animals that are associated with danger and revulsion.

Vipers

• Edwards describes the sinner’s heart as a “nest of vipers” that is “full of poison” (Edwards, 1741, par. 9).
• He compares the sinner’s tongue to a “sharp sword” that “cuts and wounds” others (Edwards, 1741, par. 10).

Spiders

• Edwards likens the sinner’s web of sin to a “spider’s web” that is “frail and easily broken” (Edwards, 1741, par. 11).
• He describes the sinner’s “secret sins” as “like spiders” that “creep and crawl in the dark” (Edwards, 1741, par. 12).

Metaphors of War and Destruction

Edwards draws parallels between God’s wrath and the horrors of war and destruction, emphasizing the severity and inevitability of God’s judgment. He compares God to a mighty warrior who will “make war” against sinners and “destroy them utterly” (Edwards, 1741, par.

13).

War

• Edwards describes God’s wrath as a “battle” in which sinners are “overwhelmed” and “slain” (Edwards, 1741, par. 14).
• He compares God’s judgment to a “sword” that will “pierce through the hearts” of sinners (Edwards, 1741, par. 15).

Destruction, Metaphors in sinners in the hands of an angry god

• Edwards portrays God’s wrath as a “consuming fire” that will “burn up” sinners and “reduce them to ashes” (Edwards, 1741, par. 16).
• He compares God’s judgment to an “earthquake” that will “shake the earth” and “overturn mountains” (Edwards, 1741, par. 17).

FAQ Section

What is the significance of the metaphors in Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God?

The metaphors serve to create a vivid and terrifying depiction of God’s wrath, emphasizing the urgency of repentance.

How do the metaphors contribute to the emotional impact of the sermon?

The metaphors evoke strong emotions of fear, terror, and guilt, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

What are some of the most striking metaphors used in the sermon?

Edwards uses metaphors of nature (fire, brimstone, storms), the body (pain, torment), animals (vipers, spiders), war and destruction, and the supernatural (hell, devils) to convey the severity of God’s judgment.