Faculty of Humanities and Social Science > English

American Visions, American Stories: The Puritan World View and Early American

<< < (3/6) > >>

Gopa B. Caesar:
Puritans: Separatists and Non-Separatists

Most Puritans simply want to PURIFY Church of England, not break with it / separate from it (Non-Separatist Puritans)
Simply want to “fix” Church—too close to Catholic roots
Some, though, think Church (and by connection government of England) is beyond fixing (Separatist Puritans, or “Pilgrims”)
Purify Christianity by separating from established church
Radical political offense!

Gopa B. Caesar:
Basic World View (Theology)

Most Puritans who come to New England in 17th century are CALVINISTS (Congregationalists)
Catholics—Maryland, Virginia, Rhode Island, initially
Anglicans—Virginia, initially
Quakers—Pennsylvania (late 17th c.)
John Calvin, Swiss Protestant reformer, 1509-1564
Theology: about an interlocking system of COVENANTS (laws, legally binding agreements between God and humanity)

Gopa B. Caesar:
Covenant of Works

God promised Adam/Eve and all their descendants eternal life if they obeyed his law; Adam/Eve accepted this promise (covenant)
Humanity thus responsible for earning salvation via works (things they DO / way they ACT)
Adam/Eve broke covenant
God totally justified in condemning all humanity to eternal damnation from that point on

Gopa B. Caesar:
Covenant of Grace

God totally just, but also totally merciful
New covenant with Abraham in Bible’s Old Testament scriptures: I will be your God and you will be my people.
Christian Bible’s New Testament: Christ’s death fulfills God’s end of covenant – crucifixion atones for damnation of humanity

Gopa B. Caesar:
Covenant of Grace, 2

Calvin: God offers salvation not to all humanity per se, but to select group: “the elect”
No one knows who is elect and who is not
Must have more than “intellectual” faith that you MAY be elect – must have spiritual, emotional, moving faith, total devotion to God, church, state
Constantly watch for signs that you’ve been offered the covenant of grace
Doctrine of “preparationism”

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page