Puritanism/Colonialism

The Search for Religious Freedom

Historical/General A. Time span of mid-1500’s to late

1600’sIn 1608 Christian separatists traveled to

Netherlands to escape religious persecution.Growth of trade and commercialization of

agriculture marked the beginnings of modern capitalism

Great need felt for social order, intellectual/moral certainty…and spiritual consolation

Pilgrims travel to New World► In Europe,the English government and Church

deeply intertwined.► Puritans represented a threat to Church and society

with criticisms and Calvinistic theology► Rather than face religious persecution, Pilgrims

sailed to American in 1620

► Pilgrim:

What is a Puritan?► Refers to a number of protestant sects which sought to purify

the established Church of England

► Firmly against the idea of a national church► Believed clergy should NOT act as intermediary between

individual and God

► Stressed certain values inherent and helpful in the New World.* ** **

Biblical Proportions► Story of creation, fall, wanderings and rescue of the human

race► For the Puritans the Bible was viewed as the literal word of

God and became the foundation of Puritan writing and life► Believed that God revealed Himself through the Bible

► Puritan’s escape from religious persecution had biblical roots► Genesis and Exodus

► Kingdom of God in the New World

Calvinism► John Calvin was a law student in Paris who believed Lutheran

theology► Emphasized the power of God over sinful and corrupt

humanity

► Man exists for God

► God is unknowable

► One must be content with God’s choice

►The Trinity► Father: Chose a people (Elect)

► Son: Died for those chosen

► Holy Ghost: makes Christ’s death effective by bringing the Elect to faith and repentance

► TULIP

TULIP► Total Depravity: original sin as cast upon humanity by Adam and Eve

man is bound to his evil nature..no free will Need regeneration from God

► Unconditional Elect: God saves those He wishes Predestination/Predetermination/The Elect/Selective Salvation Fate determined upon foundation of world by God…man cannot choose or change

► Limited Atonement: Jesus died for the chosen (Elect) only..not for everyone

► Irresistable Grace: God’s grace is freely given..it cannot be earned or denied Conversion: time in life when feel God’s grace..feel profound sense of inner

assurance. Believe that those chosen are accomplished in society. That God uses them as tools

for His message on earth

► Perseverence of the Saints: The Elect of God have full power to interpret the will of God and to live uprightly Manifest Destiny Set a shining example of God’s will and grace Typology:

The Way of Life►Government

Covenant between God and humanity

►Mayflower Compact Made by those early settlers in the New World Belief that Elect should exert greater influence

►Three Areas of Integrated Puritan Life►Family

►Church

►State

Literature

► The function of Puritan writing Transform the mysteries of God Make God more relevant to universe and life itself Glorify God

► Puritan writing greatly influenced American literature and imagination Held the concept that each individual’s life as a journey to

salvation and connected to biblical events Writing used to explore inner/outer lives for works of God

Literary Style► Plain Style

► References to Bible

► Reflected character and scope of the reading public

► Some elaborate imagery, prose, complex metaphor…but meaning is always clear

►Types Poetry

Sermon

Journal

Fault and Decay► Forces undermining Puritanism

One’s natural desire to do good► Anti Original Sin

Resentment of power of few over many► Rejection of Elect

Change in economic conditions► Growth of farms and towns

Presence of Frontier► Signaled optimism and self reliance

Theocracy lacked flexibility Growth of rationality

► Use mind, not Bible to know God Immigrants brought cosmopolitan thinking

► Puritan’s “demise” Decay of godliness Manifestations of pride (wealth) Violations of the Sabbath Business/social morality decrease Decay of family government

The LegacyAmerica’s need for moral justification for private, public,

governmental areas.

America’s Quest for freedom…personal, professional, economic, etc

Puritan Work Ethic

Elegaic Verse:

City Upon the Hill: Manifest Destiny concept