Puritanism – A Puritanism – A Historical BackgroundHistorical Background

►The Puritan movement began in England in The Puritan movement began in England in the middle of the sixteenth century the middle of the sixteenth century (1500’s). (1500’s).

►Puritanism moved into the New England Puritanism moved into the New England colonies by way of settlers in the New colonies by way of settlers in the New World.World.

►Christians in England had began to Christians in England had began to feel that the church was corrupt.feel that the church was corrupt.

►As a result, reformers suggested that As a result, reformers suggested that scripture, NOT the clergy, should guide scripture, NOT the clergy, should guide Christian life.Christian life.

►The Pope’s authority was challenged - The Pope’s authority was challenged - which was very dangerous.which was very dangerous.

►1543 – King Henry broke away from the 1543 – King Henry broke away from the Catholic Church to form the Church of Catholic Church to form the Church of England.England.

►BY LAW English citizens were forced to BY LAW English citizens were forced to join the new church.join the new church.

►However, many began to believe that However, many began to believe that their quarrel was with a temporal their quarrel was with a temporal authority dictating spiritual life, not authority dictating spiritual life, not with the pope.with the pope.

These non-conformists were calledThese non-conformists were called

PuritansPuritans

Several beliefs differentiated Puritans from Several beliefs differentiated Puritans from other Christians:other Christians:PREDESTINATION: The belief that all PREDESTINATION: The belief that all

features of salvation are determined by God’s features of salvation are determined by God’s sovereignty.sovereignty.Including those who were to be savedIncluding those who were to be savedBelief in Jesus was not enoughBelief in Jesus was not enoughParticipation in sacraments was not enoughParticipation in sacraments was not enough

Neither of the above could effect salvationNeither of the above could effect salvation

JUSTIFICATION: The gift of God’s grace to JUSTIFICATION: The gift of God’s grace to the the electelect (those “ (those “CHOSENCHOSEN” for salvation).” for salvation).

SANCTIFICATION: The behavior that resulted SANCTIFICATION: The behavior that resulted in an individual when they had been saved.in an individual when they had been saved.Evidence of salvation, but Evidence of salvation, but did notdid not cause it cause it

Primary Puritan InfluencesPrimary Puritan Influences

Martin Luther (1483-1546)Martin Luther (1483-1546)– A German theologian who attacked the A German theologian who attacked the

corruption in the Catholic Church with corruption in the Catholic Church with the publication of his 95 thesis.the publication of his 95 thesis.

– Believed that all people were innately Believed that all people were innately endowed with grace through God.endowed with grace through God.

– Argued that no pope or bishop had any Argued that no pope or bishop had any God-given right over the souls of men.God-given right over the souls of men.

John Calvin (1509-1564)John Calvin (1509-1564)– Believed that the downfall of mankind Believed that the downfall of mankind

was directly related to the corruption was directly related to the corruption resulting from the fall of Adam and Eve.resulting from the fall of Adam and Eve.

– Believed that God’s forgiveness was Believed that God’s forgiveness was limited to a select group of followers limited to a select group of followers (LIMITED ATONEMENT).(LIMITED ATONEMENT).

– Believed that God’s forgiveness could Believed that God’s forgiveness could neither be earned nor denied neither be earned nor denied (IRRESTIBLE GRACE).(IRRESTIBLE GRACE).

– Felt that God’s chosen remain in a state Felt that God’s chosen remain in a state of grace while on earth and are taken of grace while on earth and are taken directly to heaven when dead directly to heaven when dead (PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS).(PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS).

Covenants of Puritan ThoughtCovenants of Puritan Thought

The Covenant of WorksThe Covenant of Works – God promised his – God promised his progeny eternal life if they obeyed moral progeny eternal life if they obeyed moral law.law.– After Adam broke this covenant, God made a After Adam broke this covenant, God made a

new covenant with Abraham.new covenant with Abraham.– Puritans believed they were direct descendants Puritans believed they were direct descendants

of Abraham.of Abraham.

The Covenant of GraceThe Covenant of Grace – This requires an – This requires an active faith and “softens” the doctrine of active faith and “softens” the doctrine of predestination.predestination.– God still chooses the elect but there is now a God still chooses the elect but there is now a

sort of “contract” or understanding.sort of “contract” or understanding. Punishment for sin is a proper response to Punishment for sin is a proper response to

disobedience.disobedience.

The Covenant of RedemptionThe Covenant of Redemption – The pre- – The pre-existence of the aforementioned covenant.existence of the aforementioned covenant.– Christ bound God to accept him as man’s Christ bound God to accept him as man’s

representative.representative. If Christ paid the price for the redemption of If Christ paid the price for the redemption of

believers, his followers would be washed of their believers, his followers would be washed of their sins.sins.

Puritanical Laws and PunishmentsPuritanical Laws and Punishments

• The laws and restrictions of the Puritans are known as some of the harshest in early American colonization and were administered through religion.– A person was fined, imprisoned, and whipped

for non-attendance at church services• People were dealt with more harshly if they spoke

against religion or denied the divine origin of any book from the Bible.

– Women were not allowed to wear lace or have clothes that showed skin

– EXCEPTION – Slashes in the wrists and one in the back

– Long hair worn by men, smoking in public, or showing public affection was unacceptable

– Puritans kept constantly busy – this would help them avoid anything “immoral”

– Youths were not allowed to court one another in public and needed the consent of the girl’s parents to court AT ALL

– Children were often found crying in fear they would go to hell and not be chosen as the elect

• Crying was done privately as children were punished for doing so in public

Puritan Literature (1650-1750)Puritan Literature (1650-1750)

Content: religious and included such Content: religious and included such themes/ideas as:themes/ideas as: Life is a “test”: winners go to Heaven, losers go to Life is a “test”: winners go to Heaven, losers go to

hellhell Earth is a battlefield between God and SatanEarth is a battlefield between God and Satan American is a holy “promised land” where American is a holy “promised land” where

Puritans will create Heaven on Earth, a Christian Puritans will create Heaven on Earth, a Christian utopiautopia

Literary Genre:Literary Genre: sermons and religious tractssermons and religious tracts diariesdiaries historieshistories personal narrativespersonal narratives religious poemsreligious poems

Effect: There was very little, if any, imaginative Effect: There was very little, if any, imaginative literature produced.literature produced.

- If such literature was produced it was for - If such literature was produced it was for personal satisfaction and not to be published.personal satisfaction and not to be published.

Historical Context: Puritans were highly Historical Context: Puritans were highly educated and literate (many had university educated and literate (many had university degrees), mainly to understand scripturedegrees), mainly to understand scripture