2. Puritanism 101 Featuring all your favorite American Lit. Teachers…

3. Overview Puritanism (roughly 1615-1745) emerged in England around the middle 1500’s. Its aim was to “purify” the Church of England. Puritans wanted to return to simplicity, sobriety, and personal self control.

4. What is a Puritan? Believed religion was a personal, inner experience. Believed religion was a personal, inner experience. Members of the clergy were not intermediaries between themselves and God Members of the clergy were not intermediaries between themselves and God Houses of worship should be simple and unadorned rather than garish, gold plated affairs. Houses of worship should be simple and unadorned rather than garish, gold plated affairs. Religion should be absolutely separate from government. Religion should be absolutely separate from government.

5. Persecution in England Because of their beliefs, some were put in jail or whipped, and some even had their noses split and their ears sliced off! Because of their beliefs, some were put in jail or whipped, and some even had their noses split and their ears sliced off! They had 2 options: Stay and take it or leave. They left! They had 2 options: Stay and take it or leave. They left!

6. Land Ho! The New World… Some went to countries such as Holland, but they ended up assimilating to that culture rather than being 100% themselves. Some went to countries such as Holland, but they ended up assimilating to that culture rather than being 100% themselves. Others, led by William Bradford, sailed to the “New World” in 1620 to create their own society. Others, led by William Bradford, sailed to the “New World” in 1620 to create their own society.

7. Basic Beliefs of Puritans “Through Adam’s Fall, we sinned all.” Adam broke the Covenant of Works which was the promise God made to Adam that he was immortal and could live in Paradise forever as long as he obeyed. When Adam disobeyed he brought sin and death into the world. However, the Puritans did have hope… Covenant of Grace – a binding agreement Christ made with all men who believed in Him, and which he sealed with His crucifixion, promising eternal life.

8. The Doctrine of Election:  God would freely choose those He would save and those He would damn eternally.  The saved were known as the “elect” and the damned were called the “unregenerate.” DEF: regenerate (verb & adjective) to come into renewed existence; improved moral condition; to impart a new, vigorous spiritual life

9. Predestination  Only a few are selected (undeservedly for salvation). FORGIVE US! We will pass everyone…we promise! At least choose me… she’ll never know the wiser!

10. Chosen or not chosen? Puritans could not be sure of whether they were saved or not; therefore, they looked for internal & external signs: 1.A person “felt” the grace of God arriving through inner voices 2.A person could be “reborn” if their actions were saint like.

11. Chosen or not chosen Puritans maintained hope… Puritans meditated on doctrine of Covenant of Grace…Christ’s redeeming power, His attributes and His plan to find strength each day to survive. Puritans meditated on doctrine of Covenant of Grace…Christ’s redeeming power, His attributes and His plan to find strength each day to survive. Life was hard. Puritans told people in England that they must be “endued with grace” to survive in New England Life was hard. Puritans told people in England that they must be “endued with grace” to survive in New England “…that there was not a house where one had not died; and that if they survived the terrible winter they had to face the devastating infections that were the result of summer heat.”

12. Bible as Literal  Puritans discovered what God wanted them to do by reading the Bible.  Puritans regarded historical texts as lessons or a guide in their own progress as a people  Puritans believed they were descendants of a chosen race, the Israelites.  Puritans believed there was a right and wrong…everything had a consequence.

13. Perserverance of the “Saints”  Those elected by God have full power to interpret the will of God. They could freely tell others how to live their lives.  Puritans considered life a journey and that each event is a “message” from God.

14. Puritan Writing Used to explore their lives, to think through events Puritans letters, diaries, histories, and poetry all attest to their faith in a larger plan Used “plain style” 1. More effective than “high style” 2. simple sentences 3. everyday language 4. direct, unembellished statements – no figurative language