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August 29 Class Review and Homework

Today we discussed many topics, but I want to re-focus your attention on two of the most significant events of our study: The Great Awakening and the Trial of John Peter Zenger.

Here are the most important points I want to stress from The Great Awakening:

  1.     These were a series of religious revivals that swept through the colonies in the 1740s, 50s, and 60s.

             2. George Whitefield was a dynamic preacher that inspired many missionaries and ministers. He is considered one of the most important preachers in American History. He had an emotional and spontaneous preaching style, often preaching outside and drawing crowds as large as 30,000. Remember, there were no microphones! African American Christianity can find its roots with this man. He emphasized personal experience over doctrine.

       3.     Jonathan Edwards: He copied Whitefield’s style and is considered one of the greatest theologians in American history. What’s the difference between a preacher and a theologian? Good question. A theologian is a bit more like a philosopher or an expert studying God. A preacher is one who delivers the message. Edwards did both. He is most famous for his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” This sermon uses fear and imagery to encourage conversions. The sermon alludes to “double predestination,” the “Doctrine of Original Sin,” “Unconditional Election,” “Limited Atonement,” and “Sola Gratia.” All of which we discussed in class. Ultimately, Edwards implies that we are in the hands of God, deserving condemnation, and nothing we can do can save us from such a sentence. He believes that it is only the grace of God that saves us. His sermons led many to cry out in services, often interrupting his sermon. Entire towns were in revival, and these revivals lasted some fifteen years! The emphasis on a personal relationship with God was an intrinsic motivator for other shifts in hierarchies, most notably within our views of government. If we can challenge the hierarchies of the church, the next logical step is the government. 

John Peter Zenger: Zenger was a printer caught up in a trial for printing articles that were critical of the local Governor. The most damaging issue was that his accounts were true. Truthful reporting was often more harmful than rumors because those reports could not be as easily dismissed. When he was thrown into jail, his wife ran his printing press for him, continuing to print critical articles of the Governor. After several court battles, changes from judges to juries, Zenger was freed and the first battle of the freedom of press was won. This would have an enormous effect on American liberties and the Revolution!

Our literature is shifting, reflecting a change in the collective thoughts and motivations of the culture. We are moving away from Calvinism and Puritans to the Enlightenment. Here are the major distinctions you need to note:



        Calvinism                                                        

  • Supernatural/miraculous                         
  • Nature is fallen/Corrupt
  • Society is hierarchal
  • Social Responsibilities
  • Faith/Revelation/Reason
  • God/Devil/Active Agents 
  • ex: Winthrop, Williams, Bradstreet,  Rowlandson, Bradford




        Enlightenment

  • Natural/Mechanical
  • Nature reveals Divine Truth
  • Society is becoming more equal
  • Social Rights
  • Reason/Logic
  • Deism: God as Clockmaker 
  • ex: Locke, Newton, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine 

HOMEWORK: For those of you that did not do your research last week, you owe me an academic paragraph on one of the topics from last week.

  1.     All of you need to do research this week on one of our topics. Your name was on the board for your topic. If you cannot remember your topic, I have a picture of the board. Send me a message. Here’s that list:

Proclamation of 1763, Stamp Act, Townsend Acts, Boston Massacre, Tea Act, Boston Tea Party, Coercive Acts/Intolerable Acts

    2.     You need to pick one of the literary questions from “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” and answer in complete sentences. Use as much space as necessary. This could be 2-3 sentences, but if you need more room, that’s fine.

   3.     Your essay is due next week. Newbies- You need to write 2-3 paragraphs on your topic. Those more advanced-write a five paragraph essay. Please follow the academic paragraph model and double check the “Things I’m picky about” tab. These essays need to be typed, double-spaced, MLA format.  I know it seems like a lot now, but this will become very simple for you by the end of the year, and those of you heading off to college will already be ahead of your peers.

   4.    There is no other outside reading this week, other than your own research. I’m hoping you use this time to write a really smart essay!


Next week we move further into the Enlightenment, the stirrings of discontented colonists, and one of my personal favorites, Benjamin Franklin. Congratulations! You have made it through the most difficult readings of the course. It all gets easier from here!

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