Comparison of the Real Bible and the Idealist Bible: Theoretical and Religious Correlation in 'Walden' of a person. In this turmoil it becomes easy to lose sight of the ideals set for happiness and lifestyle in general. At some point in life you have to ask yourself if it was worth it to reach the end goal, and it is into this search for purpose and meaning that many of the ideas presented in Thoreau's memoir Walden fall. While many of his views are in tune with the Bible's teachings on how Christians should live meaningful and fulfilling lives, others are in complete contradiction. Therefore, it becomes necessary to determine the differences between Thoreau's values and those of the biblical authors, as both works contain ideas that are still applicable in the constant rush of modern society. While Thoreau and the biblical authors agree on some points such as the devaluation of material goods, others such as the eternal value of the present and the presence of the hand of God granting success differ between the two works. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The most prominent example of similarity between the Bible and Thoreau is seen in the attitude toward material and worldly possessions. Positions on materialism and worldly possessions are present throughout the Bible and are supported by Thoreau's quest for a simplistic life. The clearest example of a life free of materialism is that of Jesus Christ, who prioritized God's mission over comfort and riches. In the same way, Luke's biblical verse which says "[be] careful and guard yourselves from all covetousness, because one's life does not consist in the abundance of one's possessions" (Lk 12:15) reiterates the importance of life outside of earthly possessions. In Thoreau's Walden, he supports this passage from Luke when he writes “[t]he poor of the city often seem to me to live the most independent life of any… they cultivate poverty like a garden weed, like sage. Don't worry too much about getting new things, be it clothes or friends. Transform the old; go back to them. Things don't change, we change… God will see that you don't want society” (Thoreau 413). These two passages are similar in the meaning given to life itself versus materialism. To live a truly meaningful life, things that provide personal gain in place of eternal value must be ignored and the focus must be on independence in favor of materialism. Only by ignoring temptations and indulging in worldly objects can one achieve a life of poverty and independence. Thoreau praises simplicity when he advises “let your affairs be two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand… keep your accounts in your miniature” (Thoreau 410). Overall, the idea of simplicity in all aspects of life is present in both the Bible and Thoreau's writings, as material elements that simply distract from the overall goal of a fulfilling life, complete with freedom from cultural norms in place of conformity materialistic. .Despite the similarities between the lifestyles called for in the Bible and Thoreau's writings, there are also differences. The first example of a contradiction between Thoreau and the Bible is in reference to living a meaningful life and how time on earth is spent. The book of James addresses this topic when it says, “[come] now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city and spend a year there, and we will trade and profit.' Yet you don't know what tomorrow will bring. Which one is yours.

Topic > Comparison of the Real Bible and the Idealist Bible: Theoretical and Religious Correlation in 'Walden' of a person. In this turmoil it becomes easy to lose sight of the ideals set for happiness and lifestyle in general. At some point in life you have to ask yourself if it was worth it to reach the end goal, and it is into this search for purpose and meaning that many of the ideas presented in Thoreau's memoir Walden fall. While many of his views are in tune with the Bible's teachings on how Christians should live meaningful and fulfilling lives, others are in complete contradiction. Therefore, it becomes necessary to determine the differences between Thoreau's values and those of the biblical authors, as both works contain ideas that are still applicable in the constant rush of modern society. While Thoreau and the biblical authors agree on some points such as the devaluation of material goods, others such as the eternal value of the present and the presence of the hand of God granting success differ between the two works. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The most prominent example of similarity between the Bible and Thoreau is seen in the attitude toward material and worldly possessions. Positions on materialism and worldly possessions are present throughout the Bible and are supported by Thoreau's quest for a simplistic life. The clearest example of a life free of materialism is that of Jesus Christ, who prioritized God's mission over comfort and riches. In the same way, Luke's biblical verse which says "[be] careful and guard yourselves from all covetousness, because one's life does not consist in the abundance of one's possessions" (Lk 12:15) reiterates the importance of life outside of earthly possessions. In Thoreau's Walden, he supports this passage from Luke when he writes “[t]he poor of the city often seem to me to live the most independent life of any… they cultivate poverty like a garden weed, like sage. Don't worry too much about getting new things, be it clothes or friends. Transform the old; go back to them. Things don't change, we change… God will see that you don't want society” (Thoreau 413). These two passages are similar in the meaning given to life itself versus materialism. To live a truly meaningful life, things that provide personal gain in place of eternal value must be ignored and the focus must be on independence in favor of materialism. Only by ignoring temptations and indulging in worldly objects can one achieve a life of poverty and independence. Thoreau praises simplicity when he advises “let your affairs be two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand… keep your accounts in your miniature” (Thoreau 410). Overall, the idea of simplicity in all aspects of life is present in both the Bible and Thoreau's writings, as material elements that simply distract from the overall goal of a fulfilling life, complete with freedom from cultural norms in place of conformity materialistic. .Despite the similarities between the lifestyles called for in the Bible and Thoreau's writings, there are also differences. The first example of a contradiction between Thoreau and the Bible is in reference to living a meaningful life and how time on earth is spent. The book of James addresses this topic when it says, “[come] now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city and spend a year there, and we will trade and profit.' Yet you don't know what tomorrow will bring. Which one is yours.