Sinners in the Hands of an Angry Term Paper

Total Length: 712 words ( 2 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 0

Page 1 of 2

Sinners in the hands of an Angry God" by Jonathan Edwards, and "The Autobiography - Part 1" by Benjamin Franklin. Specifically, it will discuss the major changes in religious belief between the angry God of Jonathan Edwards and the benevolent Deism of Benjamin Franklin. It is quite clear these two men have very different ideas about God, his ideals, and their own religious goals. Both men have a strong and unfailing faith in God, but they show it differently, and they see God very differently.

Ben Franklin sees God as a benevolent and caring overseer of our problems and concerns. He writes, "I desire with all humility to acknowledge that I owe the mentioned happiness of my past life to His kind providence..." (Franklin). Franklin sees God as someone who watches over him and takes care of all his children. He is kindly, and leads people down the right path for their lives. He feels God will bless him because of his devout belief, and that God will watch over all who believe in him and live their lives accordingly.
God guides him throughout his life, and gives him wisdom to act and to raise his family with the same beliefs. Therefore, God will watch over all of Franklin's family and friends, because he is benevolent, wise, and caring. More importantly, it is clear Franklin does not fear God or God's wrath, because he believes he lives a good and spiritual life, and he does not feel God is a vengeful and angry God. This, perhaps more than anything else, separates Franklin from Edwards, who sees God as angry and vengeful - frightening to those who do his bidding as well as to those who do not. Franklin is secure in his faith, but it seems Edwards is more fearful of his, and of God's wrath.

Edwards' God is far different from Franklin's, and illustrates just how religious beliefs can alter over time. Edwards' beliefs echo the strict Puritanical beliefs of a people persecuted in England and free to worship as they chose in the New World. Their beliefs were strong, and so was….....

Show More ⇣


     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry" (2004, June 01) Retrieved June 27, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/sinners-hands-angry-171531

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry" 01 June 2004. Web.27 June. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/sinners-hands-angry-171531>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry", 01 June 2004, Accessed.27 June. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/sinners-hands-angry-171531