A Divine and Supernatural Light - Essay Example

English Literature ic and Modern) Introduction For a product to be excellent and acceptable, both the contents and the container have got to be perfect. This analogy holds good as for the presentation of sermon by Jonathan Edwards. His sermons are meaningful and provide the true interpretation of the truth contained in the gospel. He has the capacity to strengthen the belief systems of the inquisitives and their curiosity to know more about God, is kindled by grasping the import of his sermons.

The objective of a sermon is to create a good individual by changing one’s negative thought processes and by providing nourishment to faith. Jonathan’s sermon has the practical secular aspects as well as the spiritual elements from the domain of the Divine. Political development in this context doesn’t mean furthering the cause of any particular political party. It refers to the refinement of the political system as a whole. Efforts for individual perfection and to do self-efforts to improve the standard of living (in economic terms) and standard of life (in spiritual terms) are the hallmark of a true citizen who has faith in American Individualism.

Jonathan Edward’s sermons serve these twin objectives well. The primary reason why I find that Smith’s narrative further American Idealism: In the ultimate analysis the objective of a sermon is to create good and honest individuals and Edwards is eminently suited for this divine responsibility. His “A Divine and Supernatural Light,” is one such important sermon which throws light on the fundamentals of Christian faith. Christianity is a view of life as well as the way of life. Satan is right behind every divine principle, to challenge it and confuse the minds of individuals.

He is on the job to plant the seeds of evil. Messages of sin are easy to understand and easier to follow. The one who has mastered the art of hitting at the negativities effectively carries the day. If one understands and follows the divine import of the sermons of Edwards, the darkness of negativities will vanish as Satan has no intrinsic power to challenge the light. Darkness has to vanish when the light is switched on. There is no question of ifs and buts. Individuals brimming with noble ideas further American Idealism.

Such idealism is the seed to usher in a noble society with all the positive qualities. The primary reason why I find that Smith’s narrative further American Individualism: Edwards possesses the inherent ability to tackle the fundamentals of the Divine that would appeal to reasoning of the common man. This ability however, needs the blessings of God. The revelation in the Bible as elucidated by apostle Paul goes, that “God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness, . . . [shines] in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6). This is not the topic for discussion alone, but for experiencing and acceptance.

Edward’s sermon indicates the vast potentialities of the inner world of an individual that will enable one to transform in to a noble human being. As per revelation in the Bible, “A Divine and Supernatural Light immediately imparted to the Soul By the Spirit of God, Shown to Be Both a Scriptural, and Rational Doctrine.”(2 Cor.4:5-6) The purpose of the “divine and supernatural light” provided by God to human beings is to enable them to attain Godhood and seek salvation. The theme of light is highlighted by Edwards and he goes to explain how it is the spiritual new birth.

Those are the blessed ones with A Divine and Supernatural Light. Grace flows on them as God has imparted a wondrously luminous heavenly light to such individuals. This understanding combined with faith is the foundation stone of American Individualism that encourages each one to think and judge independently. However, the addendum that sovereignty of the mind is supreme is a fallacious understanding. All the three types of individualisms like (1) ontological individualism, (2) methodological individualism, and (3) moral or political individualism are kindergarten stuff as compared to the “divine and supernatural light.

” The individualism mentioned at (3) above sidetracks the fact that whole is more important than the part. How can an individual be allowed to determine one’s own economic and moral matters? He has to live in tandem with the needs of the society and welfare of the humankind as a whole because each individual is a part of the society. The primary reason why I find that Smith’s narrative furthers economic and political development: In the current state of the American society, highly impacted by materialistic civilization, industrial and internet revolution, Jonathan’s sermon is the right answer to check the negativities afflicting in many important areas.

One has the moral right to pursue one’s own happiness but that entails lots of social responsibility. Trade is the essential factor of life and that activity is possible by mutual co-operation and by creating proper environment for the trade to flourish. Collective interests are conducive to individual interests whereas individual interest alone may not be conducive to collective interests of the society. In a democratic society like America, true individualism means the recognition of the citizen the right to one’s own life and happiness.

But it has to go hand in hand with the societal interests and defend the dignity of the democratic institutions. Peace in the nation and world peace in which America is deeply involved will become attainable realities, when each individual seeks freedom in the true sense, from all sorts of negativities. Spirituality as preached in the sermon of Edwards, specifically in “A Divine and Supernatural Light” is highly relevant to the present American conditions and the sermon does not go against the American interests.

True spiritual practices do not create any problems, but solve them on a permanent footing. Conclusion: Spirituality is the panacea to achieve harmonious social relations and it acts to check aggrandizement of wealth by individuals. Divinity is within each individual, as rightly elucidated by Edwards in his sermon. If such divinely inspired individuals to take charge of politics, commercial establishments, and all democratic institutions that govern the nation, all societal ills will be taken care of and the governance of the country will be rendered smoothly and peacefully.

What we need today is not only big projects but individuals with big and noble hearts. Divinity is within all of us. Each one must experience it and impart its benefits to fellow human beings here and now. This is the sum and substance of Edward’s sermon which will definitely contribute to the economic and political development of America.