The Puritans

Two type of Puritans Separatists Held irreconcilable differences with the Church of England; they thought the church was corrupt and that they must distance themselves from it Held irreconcilable differences with the Church of England; they thought the church was corrupt and that they must distance themselves from it Were persecuted under various monarchies in England Were persecuted under various monarchies in England Later, came to found the Plymouth Colony in America in 1620 Later, came to found the Plymouth Colony in America in 1620Non-Separatists Held less extreme views of the Church of England Held less extreme views of the Church of England Believed in church reform rather than an overthrow of the church Believed in church reform rather than an overthrow of the church Came to America in 1630 and founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony Came to America in 1630 and founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony This group referred to as Pilgrims This group referred to as Pilgrims

Core Beliefs Doctrine of Election / Predestination: Man is innately sinful; original sin means that we are incapable of any depravityMan is innately sinful; original sin means that we are incapable of any depravity Only those who are chosen by God (the elect) are saved; salvation is not based on your beliefs or good worksOnly those who are chosen by God (the elect) are saved; salvation is not based on your beliefs or good works The grace of Christ allows the chosen the strength to follow the will of GodThe grace of Christ allows the chosen the strength to follow the will of God The chosen will follow the path of righteousnessThe chosen will follow the path of righteousness

Puritans believed that you must have a conversion experience in order to be accepted by God. Puritans believed that you must have a conversion experience in order to be accepted by God. God’s grace was given to the chosen, and this was demonstrated through one’s behavior. Even though they did not believe good works helped one get into heaven, they believed that living a godly life was evidence of being chosen. No one knew who was or was not saved.

As a result of their belief in predestination, Puritans: Were always looking for signs Were always looking for signs Scrutinized daily events Scrutinized daily events Thought there was always a reason for everything Thought there was always a reason for everything Felt that God’s hand was in everything, no matter how insignificant Felt that God’s hand was in everything, no matter how insignificant

Puritan Beliefs & Values Puritans believed in a literal interpretation of the Bible Puritans believed in a literal interpretation of the Bible They wanted to keep things simple so that they could concentrate on God They wanted to keep things simple so that they could concentrate on God They wanted to cleanse the religion of corrupt sinful practices, elaborate ceremonies, and decorations They wanted to cleanse the religion of corrupt sinful practices, elaborate ceremonies, and decorations There is a constant struggle between the forces of God and Satan There is a constant struggle between the forces of God and Satan God rewards the good and punishes the wicked God rewards the good and punishes the wicked Membership in churches was limited to the “visibly godly” Membership in churches was limited to the “visibly godly”

Education & Work Ethic They believed in living a virtuous, self-examined life They believed in living a virtuous, self-examined life They believed in strict discipline and had a strong work ethic They believed in strict discipline and had a strong work ethic They felt that qualities that led to economic success were virtuous They felt that qualities that led to economic success were virtuous

Harvard was founded in 1636 to train ministers Harvard was founded in 1636 to train ministers Children were not allowed to play games; boys were taught to go hunting and fishing, while girls were taught how to run a household Children were not allowed to play games; boys were taught to go hunting and fishing, while girls were taught how to run a household Women were considered less capable intellectually, physically, theologically, and morally (Eve was the first sinner) Women were considered less capable intellectually, physically, theologically, and morally (Eve was the first sinner) They valued education

Instructive Instructive Reflective—think through problems and feelings Reflective—think through problems and feelings Reinforce authority of: Reinforce authority of: Bible Bible Church Church Literature and Writing They did not write for pleasure or entertainment. The purpose of writing was to be:

Types of Texts Sermons and other religious documents Sermons and other religious documents Diaries and journals Diaries and journals Historical documents Historical documents Letters Letters Poetry (inspired by religious beliefs) Poetry (inspired by religious beliefs) Captive narratives Captive narratives

Content /topic Christian utopia Christian utopia Relationship with God Relationship with God Histories Histories Puritan beliefs– reflections on: Puritan beliefs– reflections on: Community Community Original sin Original sin Hard work Hard work

Plain Style Plain Style: a mode of expression characterized by its clarity, accessibility, straightforwardness, simplicity, and lack of ornamentation. Plain Style: a mode of expression characterized by its clarity, accessibility, straightforwardness, simplicity, and lack of ornamentation. Rejecting ornamental flourishes and superfluous decoration as sinful vanity, plain stylists worked to glorify God in their expressions rather than to show off their own artistry or claim any renown for themselves. Rejecting ornamental flourishes and superfluous decoration as sinful vanity, plain stylists worked to glorify God in their expressions rather than to show off their own artistry or claim any renown for themselves.

Plain Style Does not use the features common to rhetoric of the day– the types of language and devices that were popular with European writers Does not use the features common to rhetoric of the day– the types of language and devices that were popular with European writers So, Plain style does not make much use of So, Plain style does not make much use of Metaphor“learned” quotations Metaphor“learned” quotations Allusion“decorative” words Allusion“decorative” words Most texts, especially sermons, open with a main point, provide clear reasons and close with applications to life Most texts, especially sermons, open with a main point, provide clear reasons and close with applications to life