IntroductionIntroductiontoto

PuritanismPuritanism

Origin of the name PuritanOrigin of the name Puritan

Puritans was the name given in the 16th century to the Puritans was the name given in the 16th century to the more extreme Protestants within the Church of more extreme Protestants within the Church of England who thought the English Reformation had not England who thought the English Reformation had not gone far enough in reforming the doctrines and gone far enough in reforming the doctrines and structure of the church; structure of the church; they wanted to they wanted to purifypurify their their national church by eliminating every shred of national church by eliminating every shred of Catholic influence.Catholic influence. In the 17th century many Puritans In the 17th century many Puritans emigrated to the New World, where they sought to emigrated to the New World, where they sought to found a holy Commonwealth in New England. found a holy Commonwealth in New England. Puritanism remained the dominant cultural force in that Puritanism remained the dominant cultural force in that area into the 19th century.area into the 19th century.

http://mb-soft.com/believe/txc/puritani.htm

““personal salvation was entirely from Godpersonal salvation was entirely from God”” – –meaning meaning God and only God had the power to save the lives of men’s God and only God had the power to save the lives of men’s soulssouls

““that the Bible provided the indispensable guide to that the Bible provided the indispensable guide to life”- Puritan’s took the bible literally, saw it as a life”- Puritan’s took the bible literally, saw it as a roadmap to salvation, do not stray from the word of roadmap to salvation, do not stray from the word of the biblethe bible

““church should reflect the express teaching of church should reflect the express teaching of Scripture”Scripture”

““society was one unified whole”- had a strong sense society was one unified whole”- had a strong sense

of communityof community

What Puritanism entailed:What Puritanism entailed:

(cont.)(cont.) Because of their literal interpretation of the bible, it was Because of their literal interpretation of the bible, it was

considered criminal to break any of the ten considered criminal to break any of the ten commandmentscommandments

Because of strong religious beliefs, people thought that Because of strong religious beliefs, people thought that Satan was the causer of evil in the world. Saw a Satan was the causer of evil in the world. Saw a constant battle between good and evilconstant battle between good and evil

Believed in predestination, meaning that some people Believed in predestination, meaning that some people were already selected by God for eternal salvation. But were already selected by God for eternal salvation. But how do you know who is selected??? You don’t.how do you know who is selected??? You don’t.

Some Facts about American Some Facts about American PuritanismPuritanism

Founded Plymouth colony in 1620Founded Plymouth colony in 1620 New England became the base/center for American New England became the base/center for American

Puritanism in the 1600’sPuritanism in the 1600’s Held very strict and harsh rules, almost rejected Held very strict and harsh rules, almost rejected

satisfaction and luxuriessatisfaction and luxuries Puritan's were responsible for the Salem witch trials, Puritan's were responsible for the Salem witch trials,

which is now seen as an atrocity (1692) which is now seen as an atrocity (1692)

Map of New EnglandMap of New England

Coming to AmericaComing to America

The man who is seen in the eyes of History as bringing The man who is seen in the eyes of History as bringing

the Puritans to America is William Bradford.the Puritans to America is William Bradford. Bradford lived in England, but was forced to move to the Bradford lived in England, but was forced to move to the

Netherlands with many others because of his religious Netherlands with many others because of his religious beliefsbeliefs

After 12 years in the Netherlands, Bradford and fellow After 12 years in the Netherlands, Bradford and fellow Puritans decided to sail to the “New World.”Puritans decided to sail to the “New World.”

They were at sea for 65 days under horrific conditionsThey were at sea for 65 days under horrific conditions Finally settled in New England in November of 1620Finally settled in New England in November of 1620 In 5 months half of the original settlers were dead from In 5 months half of the original settlers were dead from

starvation.starvation.