1. American History I Mr. Havner
The Puritans
American History I
Mr. Havner

2. Who were the Puritans? Puritans were a branch of the Protestant church
Their movement began in the 16th and 17th centuries
Although they preferred to be called “the godly,” they were given the name “Puritans” for their struggle to reform or purify the Church of England

3. Law=Support Anglican Church
1530s King Henry VIII rejected the Catholic Pope – effective head of Church of England
Appointed their own church hierarchy
B/C the Monarch headed the church any dissent was treason and heresy
Monarch ordered bishops to tell ministers to preach in support of certain policies

4. King James I demanded sermons against “the insolency of our women and their wearing of broad brimmed hats, pointed doublets, their hair cut short or shorn”

5. Church & State
Merger of C&S in service to a hierarchical social order gave political significance to every religious issue
Made social and political critics of those seeking religious purity
Most Puritans remained with the Church of England trying to reform it but…

6. Two Types 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
Were persecuted under various monarchies in England
First fled from England to Holland
Later, came to found the Plymouth Colony in America in 1620
Non-Separatists
Held less extreme views of the Church of England
Believed in church reform rather than an overthrow of the church
Came to America in 1630 and founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony

7. Doctrine of Election / Predestination:
Man 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 works
The grace of Christ allows the chosen the strength to follow the will of God
The chosen will follow the path of righteousness

8. Predestination continued…
No one knew who was or was not saved. 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 grace was demonstrated through one’s behavior. Puritans would, therefore, reflect upon themselves (self-examination) for signs of this grace. So, 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.

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

10. Puritan Beliefs & Values:
Puritans believed in a literal interpretation of the Bible
They believed in explicit readings of the Bible, as opposed to church doctrines
They did not believe in excess worship; they wanted no rituals, adornments, no stained glass, no cushioned pews, no singing, and no music
They wanted to keep things simple so that they could concentrate on God
There is a constant struggle between the forces of God and Satan
God rewards the good and punishes the wicked

11. Education & Work Ethic:
They believed in living a virtuous, self-examined life
They believed in strict discipline and had a strong work ethic
They felt that qualities that led to economic success were virtuous
They valued education
Harvard was founded in 1636 to train ministers
They wanted their children to get far away from the evils of England
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)
Literature for pleasure was highly censored

12. Puritan Values=Success
Once to the new world they would prosper in a demanding land
Colder, less abundant, forested, stony soils, short growing season
Worked w/ special zeal to honor their God to seek rewards that offered reassurance that God approved of their efforts
Farms, workshops, counting houses, gristmills, churches, and schools constituted the Puritans’ effort to glorify God