Comparison Of Increase Mather And Ralph Waldo Emerson

Separated by over a hundred years, Increase Mather and Ralph Waldo Emerson might be two of the most contradicting theologians in American history. However, is it possible for two people to be so different they are similar? Emerson is opposed to Puritanism, believing that it is too "cold" on both a scholarly and intellectual level. The transcendentalism believes that soul and mind should explore the laws which traverse the universe. Mathers believes in the Puritans strict interpretation of the Bible. However, both theologians find that preachers need to engage the soul in order to get people to focus in church, so that individuals can better their religious understanding. Although opposite in most religious theories, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Increase Mathers share a theory on …show more content…
Instead of believing that men are all naturally evil doers who are predetermined, Emerson has unique ideas. These include those stating that mind should open to laws that traverse the universe. And the laws of the soul are expressed in laws of nature like gravity and motion. Unlike Mathers, Emerson believes that "man seeks good ends," and evil is not permeant or even absolute. Man is seeking a limitless capacity for goodness. Mathers believes that man is naturally corrupt, which is why he falls asleep in church. While Puritans would directly call out sinners in church, or publically humiliate or punish them, Emerson finds that goodness and evil are instantly rewarded or punished in the enlargement or diminishment of the man who practices them. Emerson does not see value in external rewards or punishments. Instead of believing in the Puritan concept of predestination, Emerson understands that the human soul can change courses and correct itself from evil (since evil is not absolute) therefore, the soul can determine its own fate. The theories of Ralph Waldo Emerson, contradict key Puritian concepts of human nature and