1. Puritanism Introduction

2. The Puritan Age Basic Timeline 1730:
J. Edwards Speech “Sinners in the Hands of an angry God”
1630: The Great Migration to New England (Puritans)
1690
1745
The Great Awakening
1636: Harvard College founded
1692: The Salem Witch Trials
1620: Mayflower lands (W. Bradford) with 100 pilgrims
The Puritan Age

3. Puritanism: a definition
As a religion it stems from Roman Catholic
Catholics Church of England (Anglican) Puritan (to purify)
As a way of life it is based on God and his teachings
Puritans lived in a THEOCRACY
Church = State
Elders
Ministers = government/law
Bible teachings

4. Puritan Views: View of Nature View of God View of Man
All-powerful
All-knowing
Revengeful
Just/fair
View of Man
Sinful
Unworthy of salvation
View of Nature
- Used by God as a way to punish or reward man

5. Puritan Tenets (beliefs):
The Bible is the inerrant (without errors) word of God and an outline for living
Special people (good Puritans) have been chosen by God to carry out certain actions
Your eternal destiny is decided before you are born. How you live life hints to this destiny.
In all aspects of life, be pragmatic (practical) and avoid frivolous (unnecessary) activities.
“Work is necessary and good for you.”

6. Puritan reasons for writing:
Puritan literature is both PRAGMATIC and THEOCRATIC
Reasons for writing are
Loneliness
To describe the new land
For support from Europe
To explain action (esp. W. Bradford)
For religious purposes (esp. J. Edwards)