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On Typology, Jeremiads, and Puritan Sermon Form

On Typology, Jeremiads, and Puritan Sermon Form. Dr. Roggenkamp English 516. Typology. The “demonstration of New Testament occurrences as fulfillments of Old Testament premonitions” (Bremer 64).

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On Typology, Jeremiads, and Puritan Sermon Form

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  1. On Typology, Jeremiads, and Puritan Sermon Form Dr. RoggenkampEnglish 516

  2. Typology • The “demonstration of New Testament occurrences as fulfillments of Old Testament premonitions” (Bremer 64). • Puritan rhetoric explicates prophecies of Biblical Old Testament as foreshadowing of events and people—first in the New Testament, then in contemporary life (by 1640s) • Biblical forecasts of current events • E.g.: Exodus of Israelites (the chosen people) prefigures Atlantic journey of Puritans (the new chosen people)

  3. Typology: Story of American Exceptionalism • Individuals predestined for salvation are “chosen”—the elect • But COMMUNITY as whole is a “people chosen of God” as well • New Israelites (Puritans) sent on errand into the wilderness to establish the new Jerusalem in anticipation of Christ’s return

  4. Puritan Sermon Form • Influenced by Cicero: oratory should instruct, convince, excite listener • Focus on textual exegesis • Parts: lay open the text’s grammatical, logical, and figurative meanings • Lay out the doctrine, dividing into parts • Provide reasons that lead us to conclude the doctrine’s truth, leading to a rational conviction • Application of doctrine to contemporary life • Epilogue

  5. The Jeremiad • Term that refers to a sermon or other work that accounts for the misfortunes of a group as a fitting penalty for great social and moral evils • At the same time, it “holds out hope” for happier times in the future • Old prophet Jeremiah: argues the chosen people of Israel suffer problems because they have fallen away from their covenant with God—must repent & reform to return to their original, exceptional status

  6. The Jeremiad in Puritan Hands • Emory Elliott: “a rhetorical formula that included recalling the courage & piety of the founders, lamenting recent & present ills, and crying out for a return to the original conduct and zeal” • Ultimately reassuring: it’s all going to be ok, because we are the chosen people • Example: Danforth: A Brief Errand . . . • Sacvan Bercovitch: American Jeremiad

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