More Fun With Puritans: The (First) Great Awakening, Jonathan Edwards, and Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

1. More Fun With Puritans: The (First) Great Awakening, Jonathan Edwards, and Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God October 25th, 2007

2. What Was the Awakening? • Puritans (again) • Religious revival • First one in America, although others followed • Swept through the colonies • Targeted church members The cross! It’s back!

3. Why Did It Happen? • A return to the past • Simplicity • Orthodoxy (straight thinking) • Old Puritans came here, new ones stayed • Lots of guilt, lots of salvation – sound familiar? • Move away from ceremony – make religion personal • Salvation – God is fixing what we broke

4. Any Problems? • The new focus led to decentralization • Puritans split • Old wanted to keep the rituals and doctrine; new wanted to move away • Great Awakening didn’t last long

5. That Was the Awakening…What About Edwards? • Born in 1703 • Native of Connecticut • Wanted the simplicity and orthodoxy of the Puritan past • Became pastor at Northampton in 1729, and stayed until 1750 • Also served as a traveling minister in New England

6. Edwards as Boy Genius • Only son (10 sisters) • Grew up devout • The makeshift pulpit • Spoke Latin, Greek and Hebrew by 12 • Entered Yale at 13 • Graduated as valedictorian at 17 • Seventy resolutions • Kept a diary

7. About That Diary… • Unsure of self • Conversion complete at 36 • Was dismissed eleven years later because his beliefs were too conservative • Eventually preached to Native Americans

8. Edwards as Speaker • Most famous work: Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God • Sermon delivered in 1741 to an audience in Enfield, Connecticut • Sinners wasn’t a normal speech for Edwards • He usually appealed to logic and reason • Spoke in a monotone • Stared at the bellrope as he spoke • Hysterical audience • Persuasive speech – what is it?

9. Elements of Persuasive Speech • Always remember:Edwards is trying to convince people to behave or think in a certain way. (And he’s a Puritan, so he isn’t wasting words – every one he uses is carefully chosen.) • What should you be looking for as you read? • The what and the why – what is he saying, and why is he saying it? (The what is to show you understand the concepts; the why is to show that you’re thinking about what you’re reading.)

10. More Elements of Persuasive Speech • Qualifications: What are Edwards’ qualifications? Does his reputation speak for itself, or does he have to gain the audience’s trust? (For whichever one you choose, make sure you can convince me that you’re right – look for proof to support your opinions.) • Audience – Does Edwards understand his audience (their backgrounds, interests, beliefs, etc.)? Is his speech written specifically for them, or could he read it to anyone? (Remember to explain and defend your choice.)

11. Last Questions to Consider: • Occasion – When did Edwards write the piece? Where was he reading it? Does he make any references to current events from his time? • Technique: Is Edwards presenting a logical argument? Is he appealing to past traditions? Is he appealing to the audience’s sense of reason, or to the emotions of the churchgoers? How does he get people to listen to what he’s saying? What are the specific techniques Edwards uses, and why does he use them?

12. Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God • Second part of the speech • Chock full of images and symbols • Why is it important to look for symbols when reading Puritan works? • Why does it work?

13. While You’re Reading • If you find words you don’t understand, underline them. • Circle images and symbols; figure out what they mean, and why Edwards uses them. • Remember – Edwards is a Puritan, and Puritans tried not to waste anything.

14. That’s All for Today… • See all of you tomorrow!