Puritanism Ludovica Russo IV A The Puritans Puritanism Ludovica Russo IV A

What is Puritanism? Puritanism was a fundamentally anti-Catholic, christian movement. The word “Puritan” is applied to a number of Protestant Churches from later 16th century onwards, Puritans did not originally use the term for themselves, considering that it was a term of abuse. Puritan culture emphasized the need for self-examination and the importance of one’s deeds. The words of the Bible were the origin of many Puritan cultural ideals, especially regarding the roles of men and women in the community. Authority and obedience characterized the relationship between Puritan parents and their children. Family was the basic unit of their organization. A breakdown in family rules indicated a disregard of God’s order. Puritanism has a historical importance over a period of a century and general views must contend with the way it changed character and emphasis almost decade by decade over that time.

Who were the Puritans? The Puritans were a group of people who were discontent in the church of England and worked towards religious, moral and social reforms. The Puritans were one branch of dissenters who decided that the Church of England was still too close to Catholicism and needed to be further reformed. There were substantial works of theology written by Puritans,but there is no theology that is distinctive of Puritans. Puritans who felt that the Reformation of the Church of England was not to their satisfaction but who remained within the Church of England advocating further reforms, are known as non-separating Puritans

Their way of thinking Puritans believed that secular governors are responsable to God to protect and reward virtue, including "true religion", and to punish wrongdoers. They were agaist monarchy bacause Christ is the only head of the Church either in heaven or in heart. Puritans sought both individual and corporate conformity to the teaching of the Bible. They believed that man existed for the glory of God; man’s first concern in life was for them to do God's will to receive future happiness. They did not celebrate traditional holidays because they believed they violated their basic the principles. The Puritans believed that the Bible was God’s true law, and that it provided a plan for living.

The Parable of the Talents The Parabola of Talents is one of the most important parables for Puritans. According to this parable, talents have to do with money, but it is only God that gives the opportunity to prove oneself. Who is able to produce good advance in his/her own condition may reach God’s benediction.

Where? Puritanism spread in England during the reign of Elizabeth I. At the end of the reign of Elizabeth I the Puritans constitued a self-defined group whithin the Church of England. HISTORY: In 1660 the Puritans were expelled from the Church of England and they migrated to America.

New England Puritans Puritans usually migrated to New England as a family unit, a pattern different from other colonies who where young, single men often came on their own. Puritan marriage choices were influenced by young people’s inclination, by parents, and by the social rank of the persons involved. Puritanism in New England was culturally important for a group of colonial pioneers in America. Puritans in colonial America, were among the most radical Puritans and their whose social experiment took the form of a theocracy. Puritanism influenced the way of thinking and, even though they didn’t oppose a moderate drinking of alcohol, they were against open sexuality. The doctrine of predestination kept all Puritans constantly working to do good in this life to be chosen for the next eternal one.

Oliver Cromwell Oliver Cromwell was born on 25th April 1599 and died on 3rd September 1658. He was one of the most important exponents of the Puritans. Puritans were politically important in England, but they never formed a political party. He was an English military and political leader best known in England for his overthrow of the monarchy and temporarily turning England into a republican Commonwealth, and for his rule as Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland. Cromwell was one of the commanders of the New Model Army which defeated the royalists in the English Civil War. After the execution of King Charles I in 1649, Cromwell dominated the short-lived Commonwealth of England, conquered Ireland and Scotland, and ruled as Lord Protector from 1653 until his death in 1658. Cromwell made an independent style of Puritanism. It was an essential part of his life.