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“Puritanism in New England”

“Puritanism in New England”. "Puritan" refers to two distinct groups: "separating" Puritans , such as the Plymouth colonists, who believed that the Church of England was corrupt and that true Christians must separate themselves from it

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“Puritanism in New England”

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  1. “Puritanism in New England”

  2. "Puritan" refers to two distinct groups: "separating" Puritans, such as the Plymouth colonists, who believed that the Church of England was corrupt and that true Christians must separate themselves from it “non-separating” Puritans, such as the colonists who settled the Massachusetts Bay Colony, who believed in reform but not separation. Most Massachusetts colonists were non-separating Puritans who wished to reform the established church and believed in forming churches through covenants

  3. Covenant The concept of a contract between God and his elect. In religious terms, several types of covenants were central to Puritan thought. These include the covenants of Works, Redemption, and Grace.

  4. These covenants were basically legally binding contracts with God and each other. They agreed to serve God according to the scriptures. Although omnipotent, God agreed to not arbitrarily afflict them. However, punishment for sins is a proper response for disobedience. The covenant was sealed through the sacrament of Baptism and implied “a league between God and man.”

  5. Interlocking covenants to God and each other established Puritan communities. Power was distributed through elected congregation members, but there was no true separation of church and state. The ultimate authority in both political and religious spheres was God's word, but the commitments made to congregation and community through voluntary obedience to covenants ensured order and a functional system of religious and political governance.

  6. Basic Puritan Beliefs – “TULIP” • Total Depravity - through Adam and Eve's fall, every person is born sinful (Original Sin). • 2. Unconditional Election - God "saves" those he wishes - only a few are selected for salvation - concept of predestination (One cannot choose salvation. Only God chooses those who will be saved and receive irresistible grace. • 3. Limited Atonement - Jesus died for the chosen only, not for everyone. • 4. Irresistible Grace - God's grace is freely given, it cannot be earned or denied. (Grace = the saving and transfiguring power of God.) • 5. Perseverance of the "saints" - those elected have full power to interpret the will of God and to live uprightly. If anyone rejects grace after feeling its power in his life, he will be going against the will of God.

  7. Typology (symbolism) • The belief that God's intentions are present in human action and in natural phenomenon. Failure to understand these intentions are human limitations. • For example, Puritans believed in cyclical or repetitive history: Moses prefigures Jesus, Jonah's patience is reflected in Jesus' ordeal on the cross, and Moses' journey out of Egypt is played out in the Pilgrims' crossing of the Atlantic. • God's wrath and rewards are also present in natural phenomena like flooding, bountiful harvest, the invasion of locusts, and the lightening striking a home.

  8. Manifest Destiny: • The belief that it was the destiny of the U.S. to expand its territory over the whole of North America and to extend and enhance its political, social, and economic influences. • John Winthrop articulated the concept in his famous sermon, the Arbella Covenant (1630), when he said: " ... for we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill, • the eyes of all people • are upon us; ..." • Puritans were to carry on God's mission and to set a shining example for the rest of the world.

  9. Style and Themes of Puritan Writing Protestant: against ornate style; reverence for the Bible. “The Plain Style”: In choosing the simple plain style, Puritan writers rejected features common to the rhetoric of the day; they declined to stuff their sermons with rhetorical flourishes. Pragmatism: practicality (there was a purpose to Puritan writing) Reflected the character and scope of the reading public- which was literate and well-grounded in religion. Idealism - both religious and political.

  10. Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672) • generally considered the first American poet. • Born around 1612 near Northampton, England, she married Simon Bradstreet at age 16 • The couple emigrated to the New World in 1630. • In such bestselling collections as The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America, Bradstreet wrote of her life as a mother, wife, and daughter during the establishment of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

  11. Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) Considered colonial America’s greatest philosopher. Born in East Windsor, CT, the son of a pastor, Edwards entered Yale at twelve. After studying theology he became a preacher who was known for his powerful sermons which often brought about remarkable religious awakenings. He was known for his “quiet, understated delivery which imbued his words with infectious force.”

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