Views of transcendentalism versus puritanism; looking at "sinners in the hands of an angry god" by johnathan edwards and "nature" by ralph waldo emerson.

The Puritans see God as mysteriously involved in the acts of the universe, whereas the transcendentalists think God is connected to mankind through nature and intuition. The outlook on Puritan writing is that their style tends to be plain and introspective. Transcendentalist writing shows how nature and feelings are triumphant over logic and rationality. In contrast to the plain style of Puritan writing, Jonathan Edwards frequently strikes his audience with powerful words in his literature. …

…good examples of Puritan and Transcendental writing because they exemplify the characteristics and beliefs of each era. Elements in transcendentalism are knowledge and spiritual existence in nature, whereas Puritanism consists of discipline and God revealed through the inner self of man. Whether it be for "God to cast wicked men into hell at any moment," (Edwards), or "divine charity [to] nourish man," (Emerson), God was presented as a power both to reprimand and nurture civilization.