Puritanism: The Shaping of America

As part of the iconography and symbology by which a sense of the American past is constructed, the entry of the Puritans into 17th century New England has been interpreted and re-interpreted as a shaping force of what has been recurrently described as that peculiar and essential figure, the being somehow common to every component [...]

Puritanism: The roots of Americanism?

Early in the 17th century some Puritan groups separated from the Church of England. Among these were the Pilgrims, who in 1620 founded Plymouth Colony. Ten years later, under the auspices of the Massachusetts Bay Company, the first major Puritan migration to New England took place. The Puritans brought strong religious impulses to bear in [...]

Celebrate Christmas the Puritan way!

In the mid-17th century, a wave of religious reform transformed the way in which Christmas was celebrated in England. Oliver Cromwell — a statesman and General responsible for leading the parliamentary army during the English Civil War — took over England in 1645. Supported by his Puritan forces, Cromwell believed it was his mission to [...]

Non-conformity and the Puritan spirit

Many of the Puritans were suspended from their ministry, and/or excommunicated for ‘non-conformity.’ To most Christians today, the matter of conformity and non-conformity are at least unknown, and at best considered to be irrelevant. But the story of the Protestant faith in Great Britain and America is that of men who, for the sake of [...]

The Puritans and the Bible

 1.    What was the general approach of the Puritans to the Bible?  Puritanism was a spiritual movement that impacted Christian life, the declaration of the gospel, and ministry in local churches. Puritans applied their religious views at work, in the home, in carrying out social action and in education. They attempted to regulate their church [...]

Examining Puritan documents

For the last few seminars we have been examining some documents on the nature of church in puritan theology. Next week we will develop our study through the theological statements of the Shorter Catechism, so please follow the links below (check the posts in the puritan category) and make sure you’ve read it thoroughly before [...]

Another Crash Course in Puritan History

Another excellent post from theconventicle.blogspot.com which offers  crash course in Puritan studies through a glance at the lives of a few key individuals. Please check out their website for a cornucopia of good things.  John Field (1545–1588) – the brief Wikipedia entry belies his importance as chief organizer of puritan networks across England during the Elizabethan [...]

Puritanism: Confessions & Catechisms of the Reformed Church

The Westminster Confession Of Faith The Larger Catechism The Shorter Catechism The Solemn League & Covenants The Scottish Confession of Faith Sum of Saving Knowledge The Form of Presbyterial Church-Government The Directory for Family-Worship Athanasian Creed Martin Luther’s 95 Theses Canons Of Dordt The Book Of Discipline – 1587 The Definition of the Council of [...]

Puritanism: Bluffer’s Guide

Here’s a quick bluffer’s guide (courtesy of Wikpedia)  to the Puritan period under review for those who performed …um…less well in this week’s test…. 1559 The Elizabethan Religious Settlement 1563-67 The ‘Vestments Controversy’ 1588-89 The ‘Marprelate Controversy’ 1604 The Hampton Court Conference 1620 The founding of Plymouth Colony in New England (by separatists) 1629 The founding [...]

Puritanism: Lectures/ Assignment update

Here are the next two ppt lecture outlines: puritniasm-lecture-6.ppt and puritanism-lecture-5.ppt. I’ve posted below on the Puritan take on the theatre, but this week’s seminar will follow the story of the Puritans in the New World and the developing American ideology. I’ve enjoyed the outlines on Pilgrims Progress received so far. Check out habiba ‘s website. Also [...]