Puritan Religious Belief & Culture

1. Puritan Religious Belief & Culture And you think you have it bad…

2. Who were the Puritans? • Puritans were a branch of the Protestant church • Their movement began in the 16th and 17thcenturies • Although they preferred to be called “the godly,” they were given the name “Puritans” for their struggle to reform or purify the Church of England

3. Separatists Held irreconcilable differences with the Church of England; they thought the church was corrupt and that they must distance themselves from it Were persecuted under various monarchies in England First fled from England to Holland Later, came to found the Plymouth Colony in America in 1620 Non-Separatists Held less extreme views of the Church of England Believed in church reform rather than an overthrow of the church Came to America in 1630 and founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony Two Types of Puritans:

4. Why did they come here in the first place? • In 1543, King Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church to found the Church of England. • Protestant religious reformers didn’t think the new Anglican church was different enough from the Catholic Church • Puritans thought the Catholic Church was too opulent and focused on wealth and other worldly things; they wanted a church more focused on God.

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7. How are Puritan beliefs different from other Christians? PREDESTINATION: The belief that all features of salvation are determined by God’s sovereignty. • Including those were to be saved • Belief in Jesus was not enough! • Participation in sacraments was not enough! JUSTIFICATION: The gift of God’s grace to the electthose chosen for salvation. SANCTIFICATION: The behavior that resulted in an individual when they had been saved. • Evidence of salvation, but did not cause it!!!!

8. As a result of their belief in predestination, Puritans: • Were always looking for signs • Scrutinized daily events • Thought there was always a reason for everything • Felt that God’s hand was in everything, no matter how insignificant

9. John Calvin • Believed that the downfall of mankind was directly related to the corruption resulting from the fall of Adam and Eve. • Believed that God’s forgiveness is limited to a select group of followers (LIMITED ATONEMENT). • Believed that God’s forgiveness could neither be earned nor denied (IRRESTIBLE GRACE). • Felt that God’s chosen remain in a state of grace while on earth and are taken directly to heaven when dead

10. Tenets of Puritan Philosophy The Covenant of Works– God promised his progeny eternal life if they obeyed moral law. • After Adam broke this covenant, God made a new covenant with Abraham. • Puritans believed they were direct descendants of Abraham. The Covenant of Grace– This requires an active faith and “softens” the doctrine of predestination. • God still chooses the elect but there is now a sort of “contract” or understanding. • Punishment for sin is a proper response to disobedience. The Covenant of Redemption– The pre-existence of the aforementioned covenant. • Christ bound God to accept him as man’s representative. • If Christ paid the price for the redemption of believers, his followers would be washed of their sins.

11. Puritan Laws & Punishments • A person was fined, imprisoned, and whipped for non-attendance at church services! • People were dealt with more harshly if they spoke against religion or denied the divine origin of any book from the Bible. • Shame was a primary form of punishment. Common punishments included: • Stocks and pillory • Branding • Public whipping

12. Puritan Laws & Punishments

13. Puritan Laws & Punishments • Women were not allowed to wear lace or have clothes that showed skin (but they didn’t necessarily wear all black). • Long hair worn by men, smoking in public, or showing P.D.A. was unacceptable! • Youths were not allowed to court one another in public and needed the consent of the girl’s parents to court at all. • Children were often found crying in fear they would go to hell and not be chosen as the elect. • Crying was done privately as children were punished for doing so in public.

14. Puritan Beliefs & Values: • Puritans believed in a literal interpretation of the Bible • They believed in explicit readings of the Bible, as opposed to church doctrines • They did not believe in excess worship; they wanted no rituals, adornments, no stained glass, no cushioned pews, no singing, and no music

15. Puritan Beliefs & Values: • They wanted to keep things simple so that they could concentrate on God • There is a constant struggle between the forces of God and Satan • God rewards the good and punishes the wicked

16. Education & Work Ethic: • They believed in living a virtuous, self-examined life • They believed in strict discipline and had a strong work ethic • They felt that qualities that led to economic success were virtuous • They valued education and founded Harvard in 1636 to train ministers • They wanted their children to get far away from the evils of England • Children were not allowed to play games; boys were taught to go hunting and fishing, while girls were taught how to run a household • Women were considered less capable intellectually, physically, theologically, and morally (Eve was the first sinner) • Literature for pleasure was highly censored