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Into the Enlightenment

Explore the Puritan hegemony in Massachusetts, the breaking away from strict doctrines of Calvinism, the rise of Unitarianism and Deism, and the influence of Quakerism and the Enlightenment. Learn about the cultural, political, and religious changes that shaped colonial society.

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Into the Enlightenment

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  1. Into the Enlightenment English 441 Dr. Roggenkamp

  2. 17th Century Massachusetts • Relatively complete Puritan hegemony in Mass Bay area and large portions of colonial frontier (hegemony—predominance of one class or political system over all others) • Theocracy—quash most political and social dissent • Much greater religious and political diversity elsewhere in colonies • What “sticks” from Puritans—cultural influence, rhetorical tools, literary genres • Exceptionalism, idea of “chosen ones,” paradoxical relationship of individual and community

  3. End of 17th Century into 18th Century • More widespread breaking away from strict doctrines of Calvinism, even in Boston • Strengthening of other cultural, political, religious voices—partly because British crown takes over colonial charters post Salem • Unitarianism and Deism: Denominations rejecting doctrine of the trinity, stressing benevolent & more detatched God, individual freedom of belief, free use of reason in religion, liberal social action, faith in science over mystical spiritual expression • Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, George Washington, Ralph Waldo Emerson, etc. etc.

  4. Ethos of Enlightenment—The Age of Reason • Intellectual movement/empirical philosophy of late 17th, 18th centuries • Advances in science, technology, politics • Emphasize reason & empirical evidence over—demystify life—the SENSES • Natural goodness of humanity • Perfectibility of human race • Right to individual liberty • Build a better world through reason, brotherhood, new governments (not theocracies)

  5. Quakerism (Religious Society of Friends) • Not as mainstream, but extremely impt. in America’s social development/conscience • Every person’s capacity to comprehend God on own terms—follow “inner light” • Direct access to God—no ministers, dogma, creed, rituals—silent worship • God as benevolent, loving, compassionate—not angry and judgmental • SOCIAL doctrines—reject racism, chauvinism, warfare—“friendly persuasion” • Lives of simplicity, peace, social justice

  6. Quaker John Woolman • I “was early convinced in my mind that true religion consisted in an inward life, wherein the heart doth love & reverence God . . . & learn to exercise true justice & goodness, not only toward all men but also toward the brute creatures” (670). • “I found no narrowness respecting sects & opinions, but believed that sincere, upright-hearted people in every Society who truly loved God were accepted of Him” (670). • “To consider mankind otherwise than brethren, to think favours are peculiar to one nation & exclude others, plainly supposes a darkness in . . . Understanding” (681).

  7. “The Great Awakening” • Period of intense revivalism & evangelism, 1730s and 1740s • Backlash against increasingly liberal & cosmopolitan society • Jeremiads—call to return to good old days of strict Calvinism—Purify Congregational church in America this time • Reinforce idea of depravity as basic human condition—vengeful God Image: George Whitfield

  8. Jonathan Edwards • “The last Puritan” • Re-inscribe strict Calvinism into American experience • Emphasis on true religious conversion as opposed to Enlightenment ideals of leading a good, moral, civic life • Conversion narrative—within genre of “personal narrative” • Idea of journey, development

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