Question

Why does Edwards claim that nonbelievers are akin to spiders in "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"? “. . . and your own care and prudence, and best contrivance, and all your righteousness, would have no more influence to uphold you and keep you out of hell, than a spider's web would have to stop a falling rock.”

I. Spiders are considered to be errors of God’s creation.
II. Spiders are powerless should a rock fall on them.
III. Spiders are considered the lowest form of life and thus expendable.
IV. I. II. III. I and II
V. I and III

Answer 1

The correct answer is II. Spiders are powerless should a rock fall on them.

Step-by-step explanation: In "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" by Jonathan Edwards, the author uses a metaphor to explain how low God considers sinners to be, and that they are weak in the face of his wrath. Edwards compares spiders to sinners because of how weak and loathesome they are, and the spider's web represents the sinner's congregation. The rock falling through the web represents God's strength and gravity towards sinners.

Answer 2

Why does Edwards claim that nonbelievers are akin to spiders in "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"?

II. Spiders are powerless should a rock fall on them.

The passage states that a spider's web is not strong enough to stop a falling rock. Its home will be destroyed and the spider must rebuild his web again.