Jonathan Edwards's Influence On American Society

History is bursting at the seams with controversy of personalities. Everywhere you look, two figures can be found jousting on an intellectual level, battling to prove their views as the superior way of thinking. At the beginning of our great nation, ironically named the United States of America, two particularly well-known men embody one of the most moving and powerful cultural oppositions: Jonathan Edwards demonstrating spiritual restoration and Benjamin Franklin pursuing sophisticated society. Throughout Edwards’ works, his genuine relationship with God and his desire to know his Creator on a deeper level are passionately displayed. His influence on American society always directs the audience’s attention back to the One who is Lord of

Pride in his knowledge, pride in his prosperity, and pride in his status. To his credit however, he was honest enough to admit his shortcomings. “I cannot boast of much success in acquiring the reality of [humility], but I had a good deal with regard to the appearance of it…In reality, there is, perhaps, no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride…for, even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility.” (cite quote) Here Franklin acknowledges that, by definition, humility cannot know of itself. In “The Autobiography,” Franklin places humility at the end of his list of thirteen virtues. His purpose in pursuing these

To this effect, he spent a great deal of energy promoting certain charitable efforts. Franklin printed books to educate the common man on subjects he deemed useful; he set up libraries to give the public easier access to literature; and he started schools to educate the youth of his day. “These libraries have improved the general conversation of the Americans, [and] made the common tradesmen and farmers as intelligent as most gentlemen from other countries.” (CITE) This demonstrates that although Franklin was a proud man, he was also far from selfish. His rise to fame he used for good. The conflicting views of Jonathan Edwards and Benjamin Franklin had a profound impact on the establishment of our country. Edwards came at the end of a religious era as Franklin helped begin a practical era. Each had his place in history, and each still impacts lives today through their legacy of time-less literary