The PuritansThe Puritans

Two type of PuritansTwo type of Puritans

Separatists Separatists Held irreconcilable Held irreconcilable

differences with the differences with the Church of England; Church of England; they thought the they thought the church was corrupt church was corrupt and that they must and that they must distance themselves distance themselves from itfrom it

Were persecuted Were persecuted under various under various monarchies in Englandmonarchies in England

Later, came to found Later, came to found the Plymouth Colony the Plymouth Colony in America in 1620in America in 1620

Non-SeparatistsNon-Separatists Held less extreme Held less extreme

views of the Church of views of the Church of EnglandEngland

Believed in church Believed in church reform rather than an reform rather than an overthrow of the overthrow of the churchchurch

Came to America in Came to America in 1630 and founded the 1630 and founded the Massachusetts Bay Massachusetts Bay ColonyColony

This group referred to This group referred to as Pilgrimsas Pilgrims

Core BeliefsCore Beliefs

Doctrine of Election / Predestination:Doctrine of Election / Predestination:•Man is innately sinful; original sin means that we Man is innately sinful; original sin means that we are incapable of any depravityare incapable of any depravity•Only those who are chosen by God (the elect) are Only those who are chosen by God (the elect) are saved; salvation is not based on your beliefs or saved; salvation is not based on your beliefs or good worksgood works•The grace of Christ allows the chosen the strength The grace of Christ allows the chosen the strength to follow the will of Godto follow the will of God•The chosen will follow the path of righteousnessThe chosen will follow the path of righteousness

Puritans believed that you must have a Puritans believed that you must have a conversion experience in order to be accepted conversion experience in order to be accepted by God. by God.

God’s grace was given to the chosen, and this God’s grace was given to the chosen, and this was demonstrated through one’s behavior. was demonstrated through one’s behavior.

Even though they did not believe good works Even though they did not believe good works helped one get into heaven, they believed that helped one get into heaven, they believed that living a godly life was evidence of being living a godly life was evidence of being chosen. chosen.

No one knew who was or was not saved.No one knew who was or was not saved.

As a result of their belief in As a result of their belief in predestination, Puritans:predestination, Puritans:

Were always looking Were always looking for signsfor signs

Scrutinized daily events Scrutinized daily events Thought there was Thought there was

always a reason for always a reason for everythingeverything

Felt that God’s hand Felt that God’s hand was in everything, no was in everything, no matter how matter how insignificantinsignificant

Puritan Beliefs & ValuesPuritan Beliefs & Values Puritans believed in a literal Puritans believed in a literal

interpretation of the Bibleinterpretation of the Bible They wanted to keep things simple so that They wanted to keep things simple so that

they could concentrate on God they could concentrate on God They wanted to cleanse the religion of They wanted to cleanse the religion of

corrupt sinful practices, elaborate corrupt sinful practices, elaborate ceremonies, and decorationsceremonies, and decorations

There is a constant struggle between the There is a constant struggle between the forces of God and Satanforces of God and Satan

God rewards the good and punishes the God rewards the good and punishes the wickedwicked

Membership in churches was limited to Membership in churches was limited to the “visibly godly”the “visibly godly”

Education & Work EthicEducation & Work Ethic They believed in living a They believed in living a

virtuous, self-examined virtuous, self-examined lifelife

They believed in strict They believed in strict discipline and had a discipline and had a strong work ethicstrong work ethic

They felt that qualities They felt that qualities that led to economic that led to economic success were virtuoussuccess were virtuous

Harvard was founded in 1636 to train Harvard was founded in 1636 to train ministersministers

Children were not allowed to play Children were not allowed to play games; boys were taught to go games; boys were taught to go hunting and fishing, while girls were hunting and fishing, while girls were taught how to run a householdtaught how to run a household

Women were considered less capable Women were considered less capable intellectually, physically, theologically, intellectually, physically, theologically, and morally (Eve was the first sinner)and morally (Eve was the first sinner)

They valued educationThey valued education

InstructiveInstructive Reflective—think through problems Reflective—think through problems

and feelingsand feelings Reinforce authority of:Reinforce authority of:

BibleBible ChurchChurch

Literature and WritingLiterature and Writing

They did not write for pleasure or entertainment.They did not write for pleasure or entertainment.The purpose of writing was to be:The purpose of writing was to be:

Types of TextsTypes of Texts

Sermons and other religious documentsSermons and other religious documents Diaries and journalsDiaries and journals Historical documentsHistorical documents LettersLetters Poetry (inspired by religious beliefs)Poetry (inspired by religious beliefs) Captive narrativesCaptive narratives

Content /topicContent /topic Christian utopiaChristian utopia Relationship with GodRelationship with God HistoriesHistories Puritan beliefs– reflections on:Puritan beliefs– reflections on:

CommunityCommunity Original sinOriginal sin Hard workHard work

Plain Style Plain Style Plain Style: a mode of expression Plain Style: a mode of expression

characterized by its clarity, accessibility, characterized by its clarity, accessibility, straightforwardness, simplicity, and lack straightforwardness, simplicity, and lack of ornamentation. of ornamentation.

Rejecting ornamental flourishes and Rejecting ornamental flourishes and superfluous decoration as sinful vanity, superfluous decoration as sinful vanity, plain stylists worked to glorify God in plain stylists worked to glorify God in their expressions rather than to show off their expressions rather than to show off their own artistry or claim any renown for their own artistry or claim any renown for themselves. themselves.

Plain Style Plain Style Does not use the features common to rhetoric Does not use the features common to rhetoric

of the day– the types of language and devices of the day– the types of language and devices that were popular with European writersthat were popular with European writers So, Plain style does not make much use ofSo, Plain style does not make much use of

MetaphorMetaphor “learned” quotations“learned” quotations AllusionAllusion “decorative” words“decorative” words

Most texts, especially sermons, open with a main Most texts, especially sermons, open with a main point, provide clear reasons and close with point, provide clear reasons and close with applications to lifeapplications to life