Introduction
North America was a dramatic place throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. The situation occurred after the colonists began to settle in the country. The colonial settlers wanted to spread Christianity to the natives. According to the European settlers, every person was supposed to be a Christian believer.
This was the best process towards creating a moral and religious society. Jonathan Edwards’ document supports most of the themes and ideas studied in class. This paper places Edwards’ letter within its proper context as a historical document.
Summary and Personal Response to the Article
Article Summary
This article by Jonathan Edwards describes the ordeal that awaits every person who is not in Jesus Christ (Foner 78). The author explains why every evildoer will burn in hell. The author explains how God will put every sinner in hellfire. The author also explains how God hates sinners. Such sinners are abominable in God’s eyes. The author reminds his readers that every person on earth is alive because of God’s mercy. The essay informs every sinner about his or her tribulations.
The author explains why every sinner is hanging on a thin thread. The author goes further to explain how (and why) every offender will suffer for eternity. This exquisite misery will be timeless (Foner 79). Every sinner is in the danger of this inevitable misery and wrath. Every unholy person will face this dismal hellfire.
Detailed Analysis and Response to the Article
This primary document is an open letter written to the Americans during the 18th century. The aim of Jonathan Edward’s letter was to spread the idea of Protestantism and Christianity in the American colonies. The author believed that many people had become reckless and did not care about their religious obligations.
The document warned them about God’s wrath. The letter is a primary document supporting most of the events and activities that characterized these colonies in the 18th century. Many preachers and bishops used such documents to spread Christianity (Foner 85).
This primary article supports most of the class readings and themes. For example, James II succeeded King Charles II. The people “executed this idea because they were against anything to do with a Catholic king” (Foner 87). The Toleration Act had empowered Protestants to worship freely as Christians in England.
However, the colonialists decided to manage their own colonies with little influence from Britain. The prosecution of Salem witches took place during the century (Foner 86). Every colony had its own bishops and evangelists. Most of the colonists and Native Americans had become reckless. This explains why similar documents were necessary to control the people behaviors and get them closer to their creator.
Edwards’ document is meaningful because it supports the themes taught in class. The colonists had become free. The society was associated with different sins and malpractices. Protestantism was also growing new roots in society (Foner 94). This letter explains why the colonialists wanted every American to follow God’s commandments. This primary source is worth reading because it gives a true picture of America throughout the 18th century.
Concluding Remarks
This letter by Jonathan Edwards supports the themes of Christianity and repentance in North America during the colonial period. Such religious foundations and opinions fueled the prosecution of wizards and witches in North America. The letter explains why religion would become the pillar or foundation of American society. This document explains why society expected every person to believe in God. This led to the establishment of America as a Christian nation.
Works Cited
Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty! An American History. New York: Seagull, 2011. Print.