1. Puritan Historical Background

2. Pilgrims vs. Puritans
Pilgrims found the Church of England so corrupt that they wished to separate completely.
Puritans were initially willing to work within the confines of the established Church of England
Calvinists believed that people had to rely on divine intervention

3. Five Pillars of Puritanism
Everyone is born evil
Original sin
Evil is a constant and physical presence
Dependent on God’s help

4. Five Pillars of Puritanism
Election/Predestination
Only “the saved” go to heaven
Good works don’t cut it
Everything happens because God deemed it so

5. Five Pillars of Puritanism
Limited Atonement
God did forgive some sins
God’s grace was irresistible (if He decided you were forgiven, you were)

6. Five Pillars of Puritanism
Clergy are the epitomy of society
No separation of Church and State
Clergy are the highest authority both politically and religiously
Religious laws serve as civil laws
This idea is still prevalent in many issues today

7. Five Pillars of Puritanism
Bible is the ultimate authority
Literal interpretation
Everyone was taught to read so they could study the bible.

8. Important Note!
This rigidity only lasted until the second generation of Puritans.
Strictness was initially necessary for survival. As those Puritans died off, the strictness toned down.

9. Puritanism as a Culture of Exclusion
Puritans didn’t accept anyone who wasn’t Puritan.
They believed that no one else could be saved.
Even within themselves, their strict hierarchy lent itself to exclusion

10. Puritan Writing Style Few adjectives/adverbs Religious
To the point
Religious
Authors frequently refer to themselves in the third person

11. Puritan Poetry A contradiction in itself
Creativity was looked down upon
Poetry is creative
Women weren’t supposed to write

12. Generations of American Puritans
First Generation:
Emigrants from England who sought religious freedom in the New World
They were also referred to as pilgrims
First, second, and third generation Puritans developed a special vision of Calivinist theology that has continued to influence America.
Known as American exceptionalism (vision of uniqueness, sense of mission)
Third Generation: Edward Taylor
Fifth Generation: Jonathan Edwards