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6900G
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English
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Jan 9, 2024
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Uploaded by AmbassadorMoleMaster435
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26 October 2023
Discussion: Studying American Literature from a Christian Worldview
Studying American literature, especially from a Christian worldview perspective, holds importance because it helps gain a better and deeper understanding of the historical development of the United States. Not only is literature a collection of stories, but it fundamentally serves as a reflection of values, beliefs, and societal norms held at a particular time in American history. The early Colonial period, for example, was characterized by the Puritan influence, where religion played a pivotal role in the lives of the settlers (Davis). By delving into the literature of this time, such as the sermons and religious treatises of Jonathan Edwards, one can grasp the fervent religious convictions that underpinned much of the nation's early intellectual and moral development. This knowledge can be helpful in that it helps us obtain a better understanding of how Christian values influenced the shaping of American society and governance.
Likewise, the American Renaissance/Romantic period in literature saw a shift towards a more individualistic and transcendental worldview. It is important to study this period from a Christian perspective as it allows for an exploration of the tensions between individualism and community, which is a significant theme in both American literature and Christian theology. This can be evidenced through the works of writers like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David
Thoreau, with their emphasis on self-reliance and communion with nature (Greif). This provides
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a lens through which to examine the relationship between personal faith, societal obligations, and
the environment.
In my opinion, studying these periods of American literature through a Christian worldview offers an opportunity to evaluate the role of religion and morality in shaping national identity. The United States has often been described as a "City on a Hill," a phrase coined by John Winthrop, an early Colonial leader, which reflects the belief in American exceptionalism (McKenzie). Therefore, analyzing how this exceptionalism has been portrayed and justified in literature can shed light on the interplay between faith and national identity, and how it has evolved over time.
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Works Cited
Davis, Kenneth C. “America’s True History of Religious Tolerance.” Smithsonian
, Oct. 2010, www.smithsonianmag.com/history/americas-true-history-of-religious-tolerance-
61312684/
.
Greif, Mark. “Emerson Didn’t Practice the Self-Reliance He Preached.” The Atlantic
, 9 Nov. 2021, www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/12/emerson-transcendentalists-
concord-robert-gross/620534/.
McKenzie, Robert Tracy. “The Most Famous Metaphor of American Exceptionalism Is a Warning, Not a Boast.” Christianity Today
, 21 Nov. 2018, www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2018/november-web-only/most-famous-metaphor-of-
american-exceptionalism-is-warning-.html.
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