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Puritanism Introduction. The Puritan Age. Basic Timeline. 1730: J. Edwards Speech “Sinners in the Hands of an angry God”. 1630: The Great Migration to New England (Puritans). 1745. 1690. The Great Awakening. 1692: The Salem Witch Trials. 1636: Harvard College founded.
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The Puritan Age Basic Timeline 1730: J. Edwards Speech “Sinners in the Hands of an angry God” 1630: The Great Migration to New England (Puritans) 1745 1690 The Great Awakening 1692: The Salem Witch Trials 1636: Harvard College founded 1620: Mayflower lands (W. Bradford) with 100 pilgrims
Puritanism: a definition • As a religion it stems from Roman Catholic Catholics Church of England (Anglican) Puritan (to purify) • As a way of life it is based on God and his teachings • Puritans lived in a THEOCRACY • Church = State • Elders • Ministers = government/law • Bible teachings
Puritan Views: • View of God • All-powerful • All-knowing • Revengeful • Just/fair • View of Man • Sinful • Unworthy of salvation • View of Nature • - Used by God as a way to punish or reward man
Puritan Tenets (beliefs): • The Bible is the inerrant (without errors) word of God and an outline for living • Special people (good Puritans) have been chosen by God to carry out certain actions • Your eternal destiny is decided before you are born. How you live life hints to this destiny. • In all aspects of life, be pragmatic (practical) and avoid frivolous (unnecessary) activities. • “Work is necessary and good for you.”
Puritan reasons for writing: • Puritan literature is both PRAGMATIC and THEOCRATIC • Reasons for writing are • Loneliness • To describe the new land • For support from Europe • To explain action (esp. W. Bradford) • For religious purposes (esp. J. Edwards)