1. Puritanism
Life in the New World

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

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

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

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Puritanical Society
The Bible was Law

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

11. Puritanical Society
CHURCH | STATE

12. Puritanical Society
CHURCH STATE

13. Puritanical Society
CHURCH = STATE

14. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

21. 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

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

23. 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

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

25. 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)

26. 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

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

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