At first glance, Alexander Pope and Samuel Johnson do not seem to be very different. Both lived and wrote during the 18th century, and are considered the best writers of that period. They were known for their sharp wit, quick tongues, and clever thoughts. They possessed strong opinions on issues of the day, and were not tolerant of incompetent individuals. Both frequently used satire to express their views. Though similar in these aspects, there was one area in which they were very different: Religion.
Alexander Pope was an unashamed Deist. Making his views plain in his “Essay on Man”, he marveled at the beauty of the universe, yet stated that our only source of knowledge is our own human reasoning. In classic Deist fashion, he recognized half of God’s revelation, magnificent creation, but overlooked the other half, God’s specific instructions, found in the Bible. As evidenced in one of his epigrams, Pope thought our world was perfect, even though it did not often appear that way. If our world is perfect, then there is no need for God’s intervention, so he is a distant, impersonal being who set our universe in motion, and then let it run on its own. Because of this belief, Pope had absolutely no personal relationship or communication with God. Deists do not pray, because they do not believe God will intervene to answer their prayers. This indifferent attitude towards God differentiates Pope from Johnson.
Samuel Johnson was born into a Catholic home, but drifted away from that faith as a teenager. His skepticism continued until his years as an Oxford scholar, when he jokingly picked up a book entitled Serious Call to a Holy Life by William Law. This book turned Johnson’s life around, as he began to earnestly think about religion and his beliefs. His choice to turn back to God was reflected throughout the rest of his life. His greatest work, A Dictionary of the English Language, was said to reflect “sound religion and morality.”[1] What truly set Johnson apart, however, was his prayer and close communion with God. In his biography, many of Johnson’s prayers are quoted. He prayed prayers of thanksgiving for God’s help in the past, prayers of appeal for help when he needed it, and prayers of anguish as he mourned the loss of his loving wife. Frequently, Johnson prayed that when he stood on Judgment day, looking back over his life, he would have no regrets, and would be ready to enter heaven with a clean conscience. This vibrant, living faith was a fundamental part of Johnson’s character.
It is this close relationship with God which marks Samuel Johnson as a hero. He understood God as a real, loving God, who wants to be involved in our lives, rather than an impersonal, distant entity. Alexander Pope was on the right track with creation, but he did not realize that God wants to be involved now, in our day-to-day lives. This sets Samuel Johnson apart as a hero whom I wish to emulate.
[1]
James Boswell
The Life of Samuel Johnson
Taken from Literature of England (Florida: Pensacola Christian College, 2004)