Puritanism Life in the New World 1620-1800

Puritans Came from England as Pilgrims to escape religious persecution, circa 1620 Highly, highly (no, really—HIGHLY) religious people—think zealots and extremists

Identity TODAY Today, many people believe individual identity is shaped by environmental factors, such as Culture Family Friends Education Geography Personal beliefs

Puritanical Identity However, Puritans believed that every aspect was controlled and determined by God Emotions Thoughts Desires Behaviors Inclinations Intuition Abilities

Puritanical Identity All abilities, skills, words, and actions were to be directed for God’s service and glorification Speakers - Ministers Scholars - Theologians Carpenters - Church builders Parents - Home missionaries Teachers - Christian instruction Artists - Christian Painters Song writers - Hymn writers

Puritanical Identity Puritans searched themselves and examined their lives for evidence of God’s grace Looked for proof that they were going to heaven

Core Beliefs Absolute sovereignty of God Complete dependence on divine grace for salvation Stressed the importance of a personal religious experience* *but would harshly judge those who did not publicly attend church

Puritanical Society Commonwealth officials insisted that they were God’s elect (Divine Right of Kings) National affairs were conducted according to God’s will, as interpreted from the Bible

Puritanical Society The Bible was Law

Puritanical Society No division between Church and State Church had direct and EXCLUSIVE control over all colonial actions

Puritanical Society CHURCH | STATE

Puritanical Society CHURCH + STATE

Puritanical Society CHURCH = STATE

Puritanical Society Believed that God sanctioned the solidarity of society That is, they believed it God’s will for Puritans be separated from non-Puritans This is argument for class systems/segregation

Puritanical Literature All writing must be purposeful and benefit the society or families Literature was NOT intended for mere enjoyment

Puritanical Literature Explanation of Biblical texts Sermons Application to life in the colony How-to manuals

Puritanical Literature Explanation of Biblical texts Sermons Application to life in the colony How-to manuals

Puritanical Literature Novels were NOT written Not purposeful Distracted people from work, responsibilities, and worship

Sermons Fire and Brimstone Meant to scare people to church Preached of depravity/evil of men

Jonathan Edwards Puritan minister “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”

Hands of an Angry God Purpose: Scare people toward holiness Themes: Men are intrinsically evil That they aren’t already in hell is the grace of God

Poetry Anne Bradstreet, “Here Follows Some Verses Upon the Burning of Our House, June 1666” Purpose: Record personal history Denounce materialism Glorify God

Burning of Our House Anne Bradstreet, “Here Follows Some Verses Upon the Burning of Our House, June 1666” Themes: Treasure lies in heaven Triviality of material goods Acceptance to God’s plan

Puritan Beliefs Too many possessions/valuing possessions too much is a sin Live a simple life Women belonged in the house/married young

Puritan Work Ethic Idle hands are the Devil’s playground One must work hard to get to heaven Men worked their jobs and maintained property (an overgrown field or unkempt farm was a sin)

Puritan Work Ethic Hard work was necessary for happiness Likening laziness/idleness to a sin and valuing hard work were ways to cope with/justify difficult lives

Puritan Work Ethic Hard work leads to success (physically and spiritually) This eventually leads to the concept of The American Dream

Hard Work and Good Character leads to Success The American Dream Hard Work and Good Character leads to Success