Keelyn Graves: Landscapes of the Sacred 1

 

    I found an interesting notion while reading through the book, today... that the Puritans and their New England Villages, are in some ways an expression of their relationship to God. Now, I was skeptical at first, due to thinking "How can one be closer to God, through the placement of a few wooden shacks and hovels?" Though after closer reading, however, the truth of the matter became clear and focused. The truth is that the layout of the camp is one of the best ways to see the Puritan's devotion to God. While many think that proximity to God is only granted to those through extensive prayer, the Puritans showed that architectural layout could also be a symbol of proximity to God. 

    The chapter "Centripetal Focus of the New England Village," talks about how the Puritans constructed the layout of the villages through the Pentateuch text. This was seen in their eyes as the ultimate expression of the covenant love that was inherited in both their people and the God they served. It was also a sense of gratitude for the land that was given to them by God, and in return chose to honor him and the land. This can be seen as a comparison between the Puritans and their claims on New England and the Jewish people with Caanan. It is with this that one has to wonder, is prayer the most effective way to show devotion and faith? 

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