Christianity Versus Transcendentalism: Henry David Thoreau
The book Henry Builds A Cabin is a child’s story about the adventures Henry David Thoreau had while building his cabin in the woods. After reading the book to my elementary school class, I asked how many of them enjoy spending time in nature:
Posts may contain affiliate links, including Amazon links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. See disclosure policy for details.
No Sweat Nature Study Live Membership
From: $25.00 / month
To Dance Like Henry
“Do you like to eat dinner outside by the garden like Henry?”
“Do you like to read books outdoors like Henry?”
“Wouldn’t it be so fun to dance down by the pond like Henry?”
Heads began to nod and hands flew into the air as the children began recounting the fun memories they’d had spending time in the great outdoors—eating, reading, and playing.
That weekend, I reflecting on the conversation my students and I’d had about spending as much time as possible outdoors. Afterwards, I made the spontaneous decision to eat my lunch in the backyard by the garden. Then I read a book out on the grass, with the sun shining down on me.
I even did a few twirls on the lawn in celebration of the beautiful weather.
Henry Builds A Cabin reminded me of Thoreau’s inspiring experiences with nature and, after a weekend of my own spent in the great outdoors, I’m grateful for that.
Read the Henry Series
Shop Outdoor Activities
Christianity Versus Transcendentalism
After sharing the above experience online, I received an interesting comment from a reader, which I address here:
Comment from reader
“Help me out in thinking through this… I am an outdoor lover… I love a quiet life out in nature. However, as a Christian, I feel like Henry Thoreau is not really a person to admire, even though I appreciate and love of nature and his lifestyle. It’s his mindset that is very dangerous I think… I am getting ready to look at this again as I put my next two children through American literature. Wasn’t his mindset to seek the answer from inside himself. And to turn to his inner strength, his inner intelligence, to fulfill his life.
I would like to hear what some seasoned mature Christian literature lovers think.
I feel like almost everyone just admires his quiet lifestyle in his cabin by the pond, but misses the dangerous philosophy that he advocated. We don’t turn to ourselves to figure out life, for answers and fulfillment– we need to turn to God– is this not true?
Transcendentalism does not acknowledge Jesus Christ’s work on the cross as being primary or essential in christianity. Rather that we each need to define who and what God is to them.
Am I right? Please correct me as I’m just trying to work through this myself.
Thoreau was deeply influenced by the transcendentalist ideas of Emerson. They developed a friendship when Thoreau came to Harvard where Emerson was staying at the time. Emerson was like a father and a friend to Thoreau.
I want to love his quotes and the idea of him at his cabin alone in the woods. However, I think I should not separate his message and philosophy on life from this beautiful quiet life image I have of him.”
don’t miss a thing!
Subscribe to receive the latest content and inspiration.
My response to the reader’s comment
To begin, I shared this post in several book review groups, most being generic (not Christian-specific) in nature. But given this is a Christian-specific group, I feel a further explanation would be helpful.
In my home and family, God is our source of peace, with nature being just one of many avenues for drawing closer to God.
Unfortunately, as a school teacher, I am not permitted to speak about God. Sadly, I am surrounded all day by students who struggle with attention-deficit, anxiety, and learning disorders. These students often choose to spend much, if not all, of their free time at home playing video games, watching popular movies, and reading questionable books. How much outdoor nature time are they exposed to? From what they’ve shared with me, practically zero. What are the consequences? A weakened connection with God, and increased attention-deficit, anxiety, and learning disorders.
Free Download
Reawaken your sense of WONDER with this FREE Wonder Checklist
Neutrality
In an effort to introduce (or reintroduce) nature as a “free time” option, and open a discussion about the benefits of spending time in nature, I read this book about Henry David Thoreau to my students. I consider it a neutral book–one that doesn’t speak of God, but that also has no obvious negative agenda to it. After reading the book, it is fun to listen to students recall the wonderful memories they’ve had in years’ past. For instance, playing at the park with friends, fishing with their grandpa, or going on a picnic with their family.
My children have always loved this book about Thoreau. Because our faith is planted firmly in God, we see nature as a way to draw us closer to God, rather than replace God.
My approach with my students would most assuredly be different if I could include God in the conversation. Since that is not possible, it is my hope that my students will grow to recognize God as they choose to spend more time in nature.
To truly reverence the Creator, we must appreciate his creations. We need to plan to take time to observe the marvels of nature. Today, we can easily become surrounded by brick buildings and asphalt surfaces that shelter us from real life around us. Plan to share with your family the miracle of buds changing to fragrant blossoms. Take time to sit on a hillside and feel the tranquility of the evening when the sun casts its last golden glow over the horizon. Take time to smell the roses.
All the marvels of nature are glimpses of his divine power and expressions of his love.
M. Russell Ballard, “God’s Love for his children”, April 1988
Other recommended nature books
Transcendentalism
Now, the topic of transcendentalism.
The older I get, the more curious I become as to why certain individuals have been pushed to the forefront of our educational institutions, while others were left behind. Why is it that we spend so much time learning about Thoreau, Emerson, Hemingway, and countless other authors, poets, philosophers, scientists, etc. who have no foundation in God? Why do we not learn more about C.S. Lewis, and George MacDonald, who was influential in C.S. Lewis’ conversion to Christianity?
Why did I not learn about Dietrich Bonhoeffer until I was an adult? What about Solzhenitsyn, Chesterton, Gauss, Heisenberg, Wilberforce, and Susanna Wesley? And, oh, how our world would be different if we spent more time learning about Jesus, the Apostle Paul, King David, and Esther. These individuals knew that their greatest source of peace came from God. Further, they knew that peace could be had in the midst of the chaos of life. And that God could be found in the here and now–that retreating to a cabin in the woods was entirely optional.
Shop Historical Books
Reading List
Last year, after my high school son reported to me the list of classic books he had read (because I’d asked him to read them), I was troubled. I found myself wondering, “Why are North and South and Walden and the poetry of Hemingway deemed essential ‘classic’ reads for school age children? Who created those ‘must-read classic book lists’ anyway?”
While there is likely some good to be found in books deemed ‘the classics’, I’ve decided to bypass the “good” for the “better and best” by creating my son’s next reading list, based on books that will truly build his character, while strengthening his foundation in God. Thoughts For Young Men by Ryle is at the top of that list.
In summary, I do believe it is dangerous to put too much focus on individuals who are not grounded in God, Thoreau included. That said, we certainly should not desire to erase him from history. Everyone who has ever lived has both positive and negative qualities. We can choose to admire the positive and learn from the negative. (From a Christian’s perspective, love of nature=positive; transcendentalism=negative.)
It’s the beauty within us that makes it possible for us to recognize the beauty around us. The question is not what you look at but what you see.
henry david thoreau
