Colonial America The lives of all humans work in a way similar to a clock. It is possible to separate life into different sections – religious beliefs, education, family life, social life, etc. – these are all fundamental to life. However, while each portion may seem to be separate from the next, the reality is that they must work together like the gears of a clock to keep things running smoothly. The Colonists of early America understood this important concept, and as a result, they did not keep their religious beliefs separate from the other parts of their lives. Instead, religion acted as the clock battery for the Colonists: it was the driving power keeping the rest of the gears in good working order. In order to understand the political
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Colonial social life exemplifies this belief in many ways. In general, the Colonists’ beliefs shone through brilliantly in their everyday lives. They treated each other with love and kindness in accordance to their beliefs. John Winthrop’s Model of Charity embodied this idea. This book laid out the foundations of man’s duties towards his neighbor, which stemmed from Moral Law. According to Winthrop, man had a duty to help his neighbor when in need, and remain kind and generous to others in addition to showing love to his enemies. The ultimate goal of this model of society was to improve lives, preserve God’s graces throughout the community, spread Christ’s gift, and glorify God. Religion in the American Colonies was everywhere. The beliefs of the colonists were such a major part of their lives that it became impossible to separate the religion from the people. This model of life was very beneficial to the Colonists’ society, encouraging loving and kind interactions between men in all parts of …show more content…
Calvin’s teachings on religion and its influence on the rest of life were extremely important to them. As John Eidsmoe put it, “…he who will not honor the memory and respect the influence of Calvin knows but little of the origin of American Liberty” (p. ). The American Colonists believed in a completely fallen, totally depraved man; a man who had so completely turned from God that nothing truly good was left inside him except for that which was placed there by God. Many Puritan sermons placed heavy emphasis on this concept, such as Jonathan Edwards’ message, entitled “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”. This sermon, perhaps one of the most devastating, influential monologues of the time, impresses the severity of man’s nature through the single, powerful line, “There is nothing that keeps wicked men at any one moment out of hell but the mere pleasure of God” (4). The wonderful thing about the religion of Edwards and the Colonists, however, is that it does not leave man down in the dirt without offering a solution. It creates the need – forgiveness and redemption – and then fulfills it through offering the path to salvation. The Colonists believed that the Bible contains God’s word, His absolute and unchanging Truth. Because the Bible explains God’s mercy and grace, the American Colonists believed that anyone could boldly approach God, read the Bible, and spread the good
Colonial social life exemplifies this belief in many ways. In general, the Colonists’ beliefs shone through brilliantly in their everyday lives. They treated each other with love and kindness in accordance to their beliefs. John Winthrop’s Model of Charity embodied this idea. This book laid out the foundations of man’s duties towards his neighbor, which stemmed from Moral Law. According to Winthrop, man had a duty to help his neighbor when in need, and remain kind and generous to others in addition to showing love to his enemies. The ultimate goal of this model of society was to improve lives, preserve God’s graces throughout the community, spread Christ’s gift, and glorify God. Religion in the American Colonies was everywhere. The beliefs of the colonists were such a major part of their lives that it became impossible to separate the religion from the people. This model of life was very beneficial to the Colonists’ society, encouraging loving and kind interactions between men in all parts of …show more content…
Calvin’s teachings on religion and its influence on the rest of life were extremely important to them. As John Eidsmoe put it, “…he who will not honor the memory and respect the influence of Calvin knows but little of the origin of American Liberty” (p. ). The American Colonists believed in a completely fallen, totally depraved man; a man who had so completely turned from God that nothing truly good was left inside him except for that which was placed there by God. Many Puritan sermons placed heavy emphasis on this concept, such as Jonathan Edwards’ message, entitled “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”. This sermon, perhaps one of the most devastating, influential monologues of the time, impresses the severity of man’s nature through the single, powerful line, “There is nothing that keeps wicked men at any one moment out of hell but the mere pleasure of God” (4). The wonderful thing about the religion of Edwards and the Colonists, however, is that it does not leave man down in the dirt without offering a solution. It creates the need – forgiveness and redemption – and then fulfills it through offering the path to salvation. The Colonists believed that the Bible contains God’s word, His absolute and unchanging Truth. Because the Bible explains God’s mercy and grace, the American Colonists believed that anyone could boldly approach God, read the Bible, and spread the good