Fred Heath
Eng 48A
Journal on Edwards
November 19th 2009
"God's excellency, his wisdom, his purity and love, seemed to appear in everything; in the sun, moon, and stars; in the clouds, and blue sky; in the grass, flowers, trees; in the water, and all nature; which used greatly to fix my mind." (Personal Narrative, Edwards)
The first quote is taken from the final pages of Edwards' Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. After all the fire and brimstone, all the fear-mongering, and colorful analogies, Edwards finally turns on the 'natural' or unsaved, and gives him a chance to be 'saved' by God; 'Christ has thrown the door of mercy wide open' He says, promising an escape from a life of sin. The salvation that Edwards speaks of however, is not a part of the Puritan beliefs that he stands for. The foundations of Puritanism describe the salvation of man as predestined by god, and set in stone, while Edwards words illustrate the possibility of attaining purity on earth. An important distinction between the two, Edwards beliefs signal a change in the founding Puritan beliefs. By denying predestination, he submits that men are capable of attaining salvation on earth. Although at the time, it may have been considered controversial to do so, it seems to me that it was a powerful means of attracting followers. In a predominantly Christian society, it had the effect of making believers more fervent, and making non-believers consider becoming Christian. Obviously the technique endured, as can be seen today in evangelicalism, but personally, I find it to be one of the more detestable methods of converting. Preaching salvation after describing god as a vengeful murderer that takes pleasure in torturing his own children seems just plain sick. Shouldn't love inspire belief in God rather than fear? Why would a person want to believe in a god that is such a monster? Isn't it like supporting slavery for fear of being enslaved?
The second quote is taken from Edwards self narrative. A description of the beauty found on Earth, this quote illustrates his belief that God puts beauty into the world. Yet another controversial idea in the context of puritan belief, this idea goes against the idea that life on Earth is just a test, devoid of god's beauty. Why someone would Want to believe that life on earth was devoid of 'gods' beauty, or any beauty at all is beyond me however. It's hard enough finding beauty in this world sometimes, especially back then. The worlds hard enough, so why shit on it? In this respect, I agree with Edwards. Although it's questionable that it is a beauty imbued by god, I believe that it is important to respect the beauty that is out there in the world. Actually, I think people should spend more time just admiring the beauty that is out there, in all the little things. It might add another smile into the day, and those are rare enough as it is.
Eng 48A
Journal on Edwards
November 19th 2009
Jonathan Edwards
1703-1758
"You especially have now an extraordinary opportunity; but if you neglect it, it will soon be with you as with those persons who spent all the precious days of youth in sin, and are now come to such a dreadful pass in blindness and hardness... Will you be content to be the children of the devil, when so many other children in the land are converted, and are become the holy and happy children of the King of kings?" (Norton Pg.436)
"You especially have now an extraordinary opportunity; but if you neglect it, it will soon be with you as with those persons who spent all the precious days of youth in sin, and are now come to such a dreadful pass in blindness and hardness... Will you be content to be the children of the devil, when so many other children in the land are converted, and are become the holy and happy children of the King of kings?" (Norton Pg.436)"God's excellency, his wisdom, his purity and love, seemed to appear in everything; in the sun, moon, and stars; in the clouds, and blue sky; in the grass, flowers, trees; in the water, and all nature; which used greatly to fix my mind." (Personal Narrative, Edwards)
The first quote is taken from the final pages of Edwards' Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. After all the fire and brimstone, all the fear-mongering, and colorful analogies, Edwards finally turns on the 'natural' or unsaved, and gives him a chance to be 'saved' by God; 'Christ has thrown the door of mercy wide open' He says, promising an escape from a life of sin. The salvation that Edwards speaks of however, is not a part of the Puritan beliefs that he stands for. The foundations of Puritanism describe the salvation of man as predestined by god, and set in stone, while Edwards words illustrate the possibility of attaining purity on earth. An important distinction between the two, Edwards beliefs signal a change in the founding Puritan beliefs. By denying predestination, he submits that men are capable of attaining salvation on earth. Although at the time, it may have been considered controversial to do so, it seems to me that it was a powerful means of attracting followers. In a predominantly Christian society, it had the effect of making believers more fervent, and making non-believers consider becoming Christian. Obviously the technique endured, as can be seen today in evangelicalism, but personally, I find it to be one of the more detestable methods of converting. Preaching salvation after describing god as a vengeful murderer that takes pleasure in torturing his own children seems just plain sick. Shouldn't love inspire belief in God rather than fear? Why would a person want to believe in a god that is such a monster? Isn't it like supporting slavery for fear of being enslaved?
The second quote is taken from Edwards self narrative. A description of the beauty found on Earth, this quote illustrates his belief that God puts beauty into the world. Yet another controversial idea in the context of puritan belief, this idea goes against the idea that life on Earth is just a test, devoid of god's beauty. Why someone would Want to believe that life on earth was devoid of 'gods' beauty, or any beauty at all is beyond me however. It's hard enough finding beauty in this world sometimes, especially back then. The worlds hard enough, so why shit on it? In this respect, I agree with Edwards. Although it's questionable that it is a beauty imbued by god, I believe that it is important to respect the beauty that is out there in the world. Actually, I think people should spend more time just admiring the beauty that is out there, in all the little things. It might add another smile into the day, and those are rare enough as it is.
20/20
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