Puritanism 101Featuring all your favorite American Lit. Teachers…

OverviewOverviewPuritanism (roughly 1615-1745) emerged in England around the middle 1500’s. Its aim was to “purify” the Church of England. Puritans wanted to return to simplicity, sobriety, and personal self control.

What is a Puritan?What is a Puritan?

Believed religion was a personal, inner Believed religion was a personal, inner experience.experience.

Members of the clergy were not Members of the clergy were not intermediaries between themselves and intermediaries between themselves and GodGod

Houses of worship should be simple and Houses of worship should be simple and unadorned rather than garish, gold unadorned rather than garish, gold plated affairs.plated affairs.

Religion should be absolutely separate Religion should be absolutely separate from government.from government.

Persecution in EnglandPersecution in England

Because of their beliefs, some were Because of their beliefs, some were put in jail or whipped, and some put in jail or whipped, and some even had their noses split and their even had their noses split and their ears sliced off!ears sliced off!

They had 2 options: Stay and take it They had 2 options: Stay and take it or leave. They left!or leave. They left!

Land Ho! The New Land Ho! The New World…World…

Some went to countries such as Some went to countries such as Holland, but they ended up Holland, but they ended up assimilating to that culture rather assimilating to that culture rather than being 100% themselves.than being 100% themselves.

Others, led by William Bradford, Others, led by William Bradford, sailed to the “New World” in 1620 to sailed to the “New World” in 1620 to create their own society.create their own society.

Basic Beliefs of PuritansBasic Beliefs of Puritans““Through Adam’s Fall, we sinned all.” Through Adam’s Fall, we sinned all.”

Adam broke the Adam broke the Covenant of Works Covenant of Works which was the which was the promise God made to Adam that he was immortal and promise God made to Adam that he was immortal and could live in Paradise forever as long as he obeyed. When could live in Paradise forever as long as he obeyed. When Adam disobeyed he brought sin and death into the world.Adam disobeyed he brought sin and death into the world.

However, the Puritans did have hope…However, the Puritans did have hope…

Covenant of Grace Covenant of Grace – a binding agreement Christ made – a binding agreement Christ made with all men who believed in Him, and which he sealed with with all men who believed in Him, and which he sealed with His crucifixion, promising eternal life.His crucifixion, promising eternal life.

The Doctrine of Election:The Doctrine of Election:

God would freely choose those He would God would freely choose those He would save and those He would damn eternally. save and those He would damn eternally.

The saved were known as the “elect” and The saved were known as the “elect” and the damned were called the “the damned were called the “unregenerateunregenerate.”.”DEF: regenerate (verb & adjective)DEF: regenerate (verb & adjective)

to come into renewed existence; improved moral condition; to impart a to come into renewed existence; improved moral condition; to impart a new, vigorous spiritual lifenew, vigorous spiritual life

PredestinationPredestination

Only a few are selected (undeservedly for Only a few are selected (undeservedly for salvation).salvation).

FORGIVE US!We will pass

everyone…we promise!

At least choose me… she’ll never know the

wiser!

Chosen or not chosen?Chosen or not chosen?

Puritans could not be sure of whether they Puritans could not be sure of whether they were saved or not; therefore, they looked were saved or not; therefore, they looked for internal & external signs:for internal & external signs:

1.1.A person “felt” the grace of God arriving A person “felt” the grace of God arriving through inner voicesthrough inner voices

2.2.A person could be “reborn” if their A person could be “reborn” if their actions were actions were saintsaint like. like.

Chosen or not chosen Chosen or not chosen Puritans maintained hope…Puritans maintained hope…

Puritans meditated on doctrine of Puritans meditated on doctrine of Covenant of Covenant of GraceGrace…Christ’s redeeming power, His attributes …Christ’s redeeming power, His attributes and His plan to find strength each day to and His plan to find strength each day to survive.survive.

Life was hard. Puritans told people in England Life was hard. Puritans told people in England that they must be “endued with grace” to that they must be “endued with grace” to survive in New Englandsurvive in New England

“…“…that there was not a house where one had that there was not a house where one had not died; and that if they survived the terrible not died; and that if they survived the terrible winter they had to face the devastating winter they had to face the devastating infections that were the result of summer heat.”infections that were the result of summer heat.”

Bible as LiteralBible as Literal

Puritans discovered what God wanted them Puritans discovered what God wanted them to do by reading the Bible.to do by reading the Bible.

Puritans regarded historical texts as lessons Puritans regarded historical texts as lessons or a guide in their own progress as a peopleor a guide in their own progress as a people

Puritans believed they were descendants of Puritans believed they were descendants of a chosen race, the Israelites.a chosen race, the Israelites.

Puritans believed there was a right and Puritans believed there was a right and wrong…everything had a consequence.wrong…everything had a consequence.

Perserverance of the “Saints”Perserverance of the “Saints”

Those elected by God have full power to Those elected by God have full power to interpret the will of God. They could freely interpret the will of God. They could freely tell others how to live their lives. tell others how to live their lives.

Puritans considered life a journey and that Puritans considered life a journey and that each event is a “message” from God. each event is a “message” from God.

Puritan Writing• Used to explore their lives, to think through

events• Puritans letters, diaries, histories, and poetry all

attest to their faith in a larger plan• Used “plain style”

1. More effective than “high style”2. simple sentences3. everyday language4. direct, unembellished statements – no

figurative language