The kingdom of matthias: an analysis
Analysis of "The Kingdom of Matthias"This paper is based on an analysis of Johnson and Wilentz's "The Kingdom of Matthias". The paper will discuss the core theme of the book followed by an analysis of the impact of the Second Great Awakening on the lives of men and women and the society as a whole. In this book "The Kingdom of Matthias", the two historians Johnson and Wilentz give a detailed account of a unique 19th century American episode of religious revivalism. A man named Robert Matthews, living in New York, in 1830, proclaims himself to be Matthias, the Prophet of the God of Jews. . During this time period of 1820-1840, America was caught in a web of religious fervor, searching some underlying need for escape. This was the same time period of the 19th century when a series of cults, religious leaders and fascination with the likes of such leaders was at its peak. Robert Matthews was a small time carpenter who transforms himself into the Prophet Matthias. Exploiting the need for people to visualize optimism, prosperity, freedom and a new belief, Matthias initiates the creation of a new cult. Typically like a false prophet, Matthias declared his own religious visions and fooled his followers through claims of prosp
This factor also enabled those who aspired to be leaders and wanted glory and attention to capitalize on this reawakening of religion and use their dynamism and leadership qualities to preach religion. He was arrested for the murder of one of his most ardent followers Elijah Pierson and was also involved in a sexual scandal with one of his follower's wife. The hypocrisy of Matthias was sadly missed by most of these followers who failed to see behind the facade of this fully bearded, bizarrely dressed individual. All these elements of the Second Great Awakening had a significant impact on men and women and the society as a whole. The widespread inclination towards religion and spiritualism in fact marked the Second Great Awakening. The book also highlights also the concepts of Bible can be misrepresented and misused. He did not have any struggle as the basis for his teachings. The Kingdom of Matthias and his following was in fact a social group working towards newer thinking and prosperity for the followers. erity, no economic oppression and freedom for the needy and the poor. Prophets like Matthais and similar cults during the Second Great Awakening had a significant impact on individuals and on American religious culture in general. He himself was known to have beaten and abandoned his wife and children. The subsequent trial of Matthias was one of the most highly publicized events. He represents a time in American history when America was experiencing rapid social and economic change and when Matthias stood up, through lies, but nevertheless stood up, for the less worthy and the oppressed. In fact, the prologue highlights the meeting of Matthias with Joseph Smith and even in his religious teachings; Matthias was not original as many of his teachings were stolen from Joseph Smith.
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