The Age of Reason · Chapter
Recapitulation explained
Paine summarizes his arguments against the idea of a written word of God, asserting that the creation itself is the true word of God, and that moral duty consists of imitating God's goodness and beneficence.
What happens
Paine summarizes his arguments against the idea of a written word of God, asserting that the creation itself is the true word of God, and that moral duty consists of imitating God's goodness and beneficence. He concludes by affirming a belief in a future existence and advocating for a universal religion that strips away redundant beliefs, leaving the original deist faith.
Themes in this chapter
Deism and Natural Theology
Paine argues that the creation is the true word of God, demonstrating His power, wisdom, and goodness, and that moral duty is to imitate these attributes.
Critique of Organized Religion
Paine criticizes the concept of a written word of God as inconsistent and subject to error, and advocates for getting rid of 'redundancies' in religion.
Characters to notice
- Thomas Paine
Author and speaker of the recapitulation, summarizing his deist arguments.
- Adam
Mentioned as a hypothetical first man who was created a Deist.
Key passages
“First, That the idea or belief of a word of God existing in print, or in writing, or in speech, is inconsistent in itself for the reasons already assigned.”
Paine states that believing in a written or spoken word of God is inherently contradictory.
Summarizes his earlier arguments against scriptural revelation.
“Secondly, That the Creation we behold is the real and ever existing word of God, in which we cannot be deceived.”
The natural world is the authentic and unchanging word of God.
Core deist belief that nature reveals God directly.
“Thirdly, That the moral duty of man consists in imitating the moral goodness and beneficence of God manifested in the creation towards all his creatures.”
Human morality should mirror God's kindness and generosity as seen in creation.
Paine's ethical principle derived from natural theology.
“I trouble not myself about the manner of future existence. I content myself with believing, even to positive conviction, that the power that gave me existence is able to continue it, in any form and manner he pleases, either with or without this body;”
Paine does not speculate on the afterlife but trusts that God can sustain his existence beyond death.
Expresses a simple deist faith in immortality.
“It is certain that, in one point, all nations of the earth and all religions agree. All believe in a God.”
Every culture and religion shares a belief in a supreme being.
Paine's basis for a universal religion.
“Adam, if ever there was such a man, was created a Deist;”
If Adam existed, he was originally a deist.
Suggests deism as the original and purest form of religion.