Essay Benjamin Franklin Compared to Jonathan Edwards

Kendra Hughes Professor Machann English 2327 March 24, 2010 Errata in the Hands of an Un-Angry God: A Comparison of Edwards and Franklin Oberg and Stout put it best in the introduction of their book Benjamin Franklin, Jonathan Edwards, and the Representation of American Culture, â€Å"It is difficult, if not impossible to, think of two more widely studied colonial figures than Benjamin Franklin and Jonathan Edwards. As Franklin and Edwards have been studied individually over generations, so also have they been looked at together† (Oberg and Stout 3). Through their influential writing and critical evaluations of how to improve oneself, Jonathan Edwards and Benjamin Franklin both encompass American themes that ultimately define them as†¦show more content†¦Edwards consistently leads his life adhering to the bible. â€Å"He believed like Winthrop, that his community needed to prepare and become ‘a city upon a hill’ † (Gilmore 2). In â€Å"Resolutions† Edwards’ self-reflection and goals can be seen. He constantly tries to improve himself and his congregation so that they can achieve God’s envisage of a new homeland in New England. Edwards’ primary commitment was to understand the Bible and to abide by it to live life to the fullest. Edwards aspired to better himself and set a precedent for his congregation and his Christian community. Franklin, like Edwards, also seeks these goals and achievements as and individual and for the American man. In Soundings: Some Early American Writers, Lewis Leary writes, â€Å"Franklin was the true American †¦he constantly redefines himself†¦none better represented the simple, noble men†¦who lived close to nature faithful to her laws uncontaminated by artificialities of court or town† (Leary 9,11). Franklin provides his audience with virtues to adhere to when trying to set goals to improve themselves. Franklin explains, â€Å"no one can change overnight and one must work on one vice until successively conquered, such as chastity, everyman can find self-improvement and further cont ribute to their community† (FranklinShow MoreRelatedSocial Reward And Its Effect On Society925 Words   |  4 Pagesbecause they are compelled by the pathos in it. This process creates a cycle of motivating people to do good only for social media likes. In The Autobiography by Benjamin Franklin, Franklin portrays how a crucial step to achieving moral perfection is through being humble, especially when acting in the face of a religion (70) . Although Franklin was a Humanist, this quotation portrays a central theme for Puritans- act humbly, and give all the glory to God, not oneself. 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