The Puritans

1. The Puritans Background

2. Who were the Puritans? • branch of Protestant church • movement began in the 16th & 17th C • Preferred to be called “the godly,” but labeled “Puritans” for their struggle to reform or purify the Church of England

3. TULIP Puritans adhered to the basic tenets of Calvinism • T -- Total depravity. Through Original Sin (the fall of Adam & Eve) sin is in every part of one's being, including the mind and will, so that a man cannot save himself. • U -- Unconditional election. God chooses to save people, they are not chosen on the basis of their own merit. Predestination. • L -- Limited atonement. The sacrifice of Christ on the cross was for the purpose of saving the elect. • I -- Irresistible grace. God’s grace is freely given, it can’t be earned or denied—it is a gift. Grace is the saving and transfiguring power of God. • P -- Perseverence of the saints. Those people God chooses cannot lose their salvation; they will continue to believe. If they fall away, they are going against His will—impossible in Puritanism.

4. Separatists , 1620 irreconcilable differences with Church of England thought the church was corrupt and sought to distance themselves from it persecuted under various English monarchies Fled from England to Holland Later, came founded Plymouth Colony in America in 1620 Non-Separatists, 1630 less extreme views of the Church of England Believed in church reform rather than an overthrow 1630 founded Massachusetts Bay Colony Two Types:

5. Doctrine of Election / Predestination: • Man is innately sinful • Only “the elect” are saved • salvation not based on beliefs or good works • Grace of Christ allows chosen strength to follow God’s will • Chosen will follow path of righteousness

6. Predestination • Salvation “status” unknown • Puritans believed conversion experience needed to be accepted by God. • The chosen received God’s grace which was shown through one’s behavior. • Puritans would reflect for signs of grace. • Though good works not believed as way into heaven, living a godly life was evidence of being chosen.

7. Predestination resulted in: • always looking for signs • Scrutinizing daily events • saw a reason for everything • feeling God’s hand was in everything, no matter how insignificant

8. Puritan Beliefs & Values: • constant struggle between the forces of God and Satan • God rewards the good--punishes the wicked • literal interpretation of the Bible • did not believe in excess worship • no rituals, adornments, no stained glass, no cushioned pews, no singing, and no music • wanted things simple to concentrate on God

9. Education & Work Ethic: • Literature for pleasure was highly censored • live virtuous, self-examined life • strict discipline and a strong work ethic • qualities that led to economic success were virtuous • valued education • Harvard founded in 1636 to train ministers • Children not allowed to play games; • boys taught to hunt and fish • girls taught to run a household • Women considered less capable intellectually, physically, theologically, and morally (Eve was the first sinner)

10. Puritan Literature & Writings: • considered works of fiction frivolous and possibly immoral. • Puritan Plain Style • mode of expression characterized by its clarity, accessibility, straightforwardness, simplicity, and lack of ornamentation • Types of texts: - historical documents - personal journals (tools for self-reflection) - religious poetry - religious articles