Christian Principles in the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin gives detailed accounts of Benjamin Franklin’s life and religious beliefs. It’s clear from this account that he supported, and lived by, many Christian principles. Some have assumed that he was a Christian because of this, despite his comments to the contrary. In his autobiography, Franklin reveals a number of personal convictions consistent with a Christian worldview, including: (1) his referring to God as an actual being, (2) his daily use of prayer, (3) his recognition of God as the source of wisdom and happiness, and (4) his dedication to hard work and self-improvement. Various references found in Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography suggest that he held a Christian worldview, however, further analysis of his autobiography indicates his rejection of Christianity.

            There are multiple incidences of God being referred to as an actual being throughout Franklin’s autobiography. The first occurrence appears within the first few sentences. Franklin states, “with the Blessing of God, so well succeeded, my Posterity may like to know, as they may find some of them suitable to their own Situations, and therefore fit to be imitated” (377). Here he recognizes God’s existence, referring to his success as a product of God’s blessing.

Additionally, he also recognizes God by offering thanks for his blessings (378). The most explicit declaration of his belief in God appears towards the end of his autobiography. With affirmation he declares, “I never doubted, for instance, the Existence of the Deity, that he made the world and governed it by his Providence” (412). In this statement, Franklin also recognizes God as a provident being. These statements further promote Franklin’s depiction of Christian worldview.

            Another way in which Franklin reflects a Christian worldview is through his commitment to daily prayer. He believed that praying to God was beneficial and necessary to receive God’s blessings. “I form’d the following little Prayer, which prefixed to may Tables of Examination; for daily Use” (417). Contained within his prayer are praises to God and a request of wisdom. Franklin also notes a poem which he occasionally used as a prayer (417). The poem featured sincere praises as well as humble requests.

            Franklin recognizes God as the source of happiness and wisdom. “And now I speak of thanking God, I desire with all Humility to acknowledge, that I owe the mention’d Happiness of my past Life to his kind Providence” (378). Franklin believes that God deserves gratitude as He is the source of humanity’s well-being. Earlier, he claims that his accomplishments are a result of God’s blessing (377). One of Franklin’s thirteen virtues is humbleness. Thanking God is one way in which he chooses to practice this virtue. God is also depicted as the provider of wisdom. Franklin explains, “conceiving God to be the Fountain of Wisdom, I thought it right and necessary to solicit his Assistance for obtaining it” (417). Unmistakably, Franklin recognizes God as a provider to his needs. His gratitude for God’s prosperity is another reflection of Christian worldview.

            Dedication and hard work are elements that often describe Franklin’s life. Throughout his autobiography, he strives to become accomplished. One example is his disciplined devotion to improve his writing. He describes instances in which he receives criticism on his early writings. During one of these occurrences he confesses, “I saw the Justice of his Remarks, and thence grew more attentive to the Manner in Writing, and determin’d to endeavor at Improvement” (385). He later describes himself to be an exceedingly ambitious person to improve writing (385). He writes on various difficulties in his career, all of which he was able to overcome. His committed lifestyle enabled him to become a successful writer and printer in multiple vocations.

            Self-improvement goes hand in hand with dedication and hard work in Franklin’s life. Throughout his autobiography, he attempts to improve on various aspects of his life. As previously stated, he frequently sought to improve his English writing skills. He accomplished this through the teaching and positive criticisms of others. Yet his life was not purely focused on his English ability; he also sought to live a virtuous life. In fact, at one point, he attempted to achieve a state of moral perfection. Affirming this he writes, “I conceiv’d the bold and arduous Project of arriving at moral Perfection” (413). He proceeds to list his thirteen virtues. From these he discusses his committed approach to improve on each virtue. Daily, he recounts his faults, intending to learn from them and improve (414-415). Other happenings infer that Franklin regularly contemplated his past decisions. Utilizing his mistakes, he was able to make improvements in his life. His focus on improvement is another way in which he conveys Christian worldview.

            As noted above, the life of Franklin reflects many aspects of a Christian worldview. Analyzing and applying many lessons taught by him can be beneficial to Christians. He was a strong, determined, and successful person. He was not only committed to his career, but also to living a virtuous and moral life.

Because of this, some people assume he was a Christian. However, it is important to analyze His life in its entirety. Within his autobiography, he explicitly denies Christianity. The first evidence of this occurs in his writing of the arguments taking place between him and his brother. Franklin states, “my indiscrete Disputations about Religion began to make me pointed at with Horror by good People, as an Infidel or Atheist” (390). In his day, it is apparent that some held his religious view to be contrary to Christian orthodoxy. Later, he proclaims, “the Eternal Decrees of god, Election, Reprobation, &c. appeared unintelligible, others doubtful” (412).  Here Franklin disagrees with major doctrines of the Christian faith. Further reading indicates that Franklin leaned towards a deistic approach on religion (412-413).

Nevertheless, he lived a life that many Christians would approve of, upholding several characteristics of Christian worldview. While this is true, it is important to avoid the assumption that he was a Christian. He respected many Christian principles, but plainly he denied its doctrines.