1. Puritanism The Age of Faith 1600s-1750s

2. Where and When? Where : New England, in the Massachusetts Bay Colony When: about 1650-about 1750 Also called: Pilgrims—they believed they were on a journey to a holy place Why? To build a secular society patterned after God’s word (New Test.)

3. Puritans: Beliefs and Values #1—Predestination All events are foreseen and foreordained by God #2—Election God chooses who is saved and who is damned. Nagging fear—Am I saved?

4. Puritans: Beliefs and Values #3—Education Publicly supported schools: Harvard founded in 1636 to train ministers Education necessary so people can oppose Satan. 1770: 70% literacy rate in New England !

5. Beliefs and Values #4— Intolerance Dissenters must be opposed and driven out --persecution and expulsion of Anne Hutchinson (1638), Roger Williams (1638)

6. Puritans: Beliefs and Values Overall… Man is fallen and inherently evil Our futures are already destined—all we can do is pray for salvation Those who do not agree and conform must be expelled or destroyed

7. Puritan Politics Voting is restricted to Church members only Blurring of the line between political and religious authority— essentially, a theocracy

8. Puritan: style and form In religion, Puritans reject all adornments; the same is true in their literature. Plain style: strong, simple, logical Thus, explanations of the Scriptures are clear to all people.

9. The Bible and Puritan Literature Foundation of all Puritan literature Focus on Inner Events and Outer Events Inner Events: feelings, seen as stages on the road to salvation Outer events: external events (like travels), seen as containing messages from God

10. Forms Thus, diaries, histories, and sermons are the most common form of Puritan literature (interpreting inner and outer events as religious experiences)

11. Lasting Puritan Contributions Self-government and community responsibility (democracy within theocracy) Importance of education Hard work and thrift demanded of all High moral standards

12. Prominent Writers Edward Taylor: finding spiritual truth in the natural world “Upon a Spider Catching a Fly” Anne Bradstreet: reconciling love for earthly things with the conviction that the ultimate value in everything is spiritual. “Some Verses Upon the Burning of my House”

13. Prominent Writers cont. Jonathan Edwards: Sermons (extremist) “Sinner in the Hands of an Angry God” William Bradford: “Of Plymouth Plantation”