Question

Is it not a reasonable thing to fright a person out of a house on fire? What is the purpose of this sentence in Edwards's sermon?

Answer 1

Answer: It justifies Edwards's strategy of scaring people into accepting God.

Explanation:

Johnathan Edwards was a preacher during the First Great Awakening in American society. This religious revival movement during the 1730's and 1740's included the emergence of a new style of preaching in the American colonies. Preachers like Edwards used passionate speeches and scare tactics to ensure that individuals accepted God and understood the severity of their actions.