Question

read the text, then answer the question.

\o sinner! consider the fearful danger you are in; ’tis a great furnace of wrath, a wide and bottomless pit, full of the fire of wrath, that you are held over in the hand of that god... you hang by a slender thread, with the flames of divine wrath flashing about it, and ready every moment to singe it, and burn it...\ - jonathan edwards, \sinners in the hands of an angry god,\ 1741

what is edwards trying to achieve in this sermon?

• he wants people to consider what their responsibilities are as members of the church.
• he wants people to be fearful of what might happen if they are not obedient to god.
• he wants people to find sinners and bring them to justice.

Explanation:

The excerpt from Jonathan Edwards' "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" uses vivid imagery of divine wrath (furnace, bottomless pit, flames) to evoke fear of the consequences of not obeying God. The first option about church responsibilities is not supported, and the third about bringing sinners to justice is incorrect. The second option matches the intent of scaring people into obedience by showing the danger of disobedience.

Answer:

He wants people to be fearful of what might happen if they are not obedient to God.