Philis Wheatley

Philis Wheatley just amazes me in so many ways.  She is this woman in the mid to lat 1700s who was just such an influence in spite of the fact that, not only was she a woman, but she was also an African American slave.  She has a different voice in her poems that has this solidity in her understanding of the world. Unlike Bradstreet, Philis is not constantly pointing out her (according to society) inferior condition.  She is bold in her statements pointing towards the truth of equality and the hypocracy that what intertwined within the Christian tradition during that time.  The call to love a neighbor regardless of who they are.  She pointed out the fact in one of her poems that this in fact is not what was being shown by the enslavement of her people.  Another thing I was shocked by was the eloquence to which she wrote with. She seemed to have taken great advantadge of her oppurtunity to study and learn how to read. 

Olaudah Equiano

Equiano is really an inspirational person.  It is apparent from his story in slavery that he had some wisdom or an ability to get on peoples good side.  I find that his drive despite his oppresed state is really amazing.  He seemed to be constantly working towards that goal for years on end until he finally achieved that.  His faith is something else that I think is very unique.  He believes in Christ, but was introduced to Him by these people who kept him bound in misery and practilcally isolation. I find it interesting how he still finds that faith in God. He seems to be just a really trustworthy person.
I think that the worst thing for him aside from losing his family is getting used to a place and then having to face the uncertainty of what the next step will be like.  Not knowing whether he would have come into the hands of people who are semi-kind or barbarically cruel.

Benjamin Franklin

After reading a little bit about Benjamin Franklin I realize that he was a very interesting person.  I was surprised that he started kind of in the printing press. Most of the time I only ever think of him as a man of science or politics.  It is interesting how he has some view of Christianity, but it really isn't clear.  He references to it, but at the same time it almost seems as if he rejects it a little.  Aside from that I see a big emphasis on how he has overcome things and in this letter or address to his son he is trying to show that it is possible for others.  He is very much a person to rely on himself.  He has a very big belief in individualism. 

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

As I read this reading, by Jonathan Edwards, I couldn't help but acknowledge the truth in the convicting words that he was saying.  God is soverign.  He can choose to do whatever he pleases with us and we would deserve it. He makes a point to say that we deserve to go to Hell.  He continues in this statement by informing his congregation that there is nothing that they can do to change that.  I couldn't help but feel as I was reading this that his message seemed more hopeless than hopeful.  He talks about God's grace but briefly.  If I was in his congregation I probably would have really been freaking out about about the fact that I am terrible, and when his emphasis relys so heavily on that point it is hard to hear the tidbits of Edwards revealing God's grace. In a way it shows the difference of the church now and then. Today we put such an emphasis on God as a loving, caring God.  Then it was more driven by the fear and power of God.  I don't believe that is how we should come to salvation.  We shouldn't love God solely on the fact that if we don't and if we don't accept Jesus then we will be in complete misery.  We should love God because of his greatness and his love for us.  Whether this sermon is usual for then I can't say, but if it was the usual Sunday morning sermon I would be terrified daily by the power of God.  I don't think that it would be a healthy fear either.