Who were these Puritans?

What does the term “Puritan” refer to?

• The Protestant groups that sought to “purify” the Church of England were referred to as Puritans.

• Puritans felt that the Church of England was too closely linked to the

country’s government.

Compared to the English (Anglican) church, how did the Puritans want their church to

function?

• The Puritans wanted everything to be simplified. • They believed in the simpler forms of worship

and church organization as described in the New Testament; they wanted to get rid of government involvement

Who did the Puritans believe should be involved in an individual’s spiritual life?

• This answer is relatively simple. The Puritans believed their relationship with God should be personal.

• No clergy or government could come between each person and God.

What happened to Puritans in England? Where did they go as a

result?  

• They were persecuted for their beliefs. They were jailed and whipped and had their noses slit and ears chopped off, etc.

• They sought religious freedom in Holland.

Why didn’t the Puritans stay in Holland?

• They feared losing their identity as English Protestants in a country that had already been established.

What was the Puritans’ goal in establishing a community in the “New World”?

• They wanted to build a new society patterned directly after God’s word (The Bible).

• They wanted to provide an example for the rest of the world.

What did the Puritans believe would happen to most people for eternity? Why?

• Because of Adam and Eve’s sin of disobedience, most people would be damned for all eternity.

Why would some people be saved? • Through his mercy, God sent his son to save

some people.

How did the Puritans believe one’s destiny was determined?

• The Puritans believed that God determined a person’s destiny and direction in life. Your fate was “Predestined” before you were born.

What were two signs that an individual was among the “saved” and not the “damned”?

1. You could physically feel God’s grace arriving, and this was an intensely emotional experience, referred to as “rebirth”

2. The inner experience translated into your outward behavior. God’s grace allowed you to behave like a saint.

How did this belief influence behavior?

• Puritans tried to live as saintly as possible– Self-discipline– Prayer– Hard work

• Puritans were critical of their neighbors

Why was the Mayflower Compact so significant?

• Puritans believed that a contract existed between God and humanity.

• The Mayflower Compact is modeled on this contract. It was a mutually agreed upon outline of how the Puritans would be governed once they hit land.

• It set the stage for democracy in America.

What was the Puritan government like?

• Despite the Mayflower Compact…– It was very undemocratic. • Only the saintly elect had any power or influence on

the government.

Why was education so important to the Puritans?

• They needed to be able to read the Bible.

• The Bible was viewed as God’s literal word.

• They put such a great influence on education that they founded Harvard in 1636.– The original purpose of Harvard

was to train ministers.

What kind of writing was favored and accepted amongst the Puritans?

• Diaries and histories were accepted. • They were used to record the workings of God

in their lives.